News
“Early childbirth does not guarantee fertility”
Anytime the issue of infertility comes up, some people point accusing fingers at women or men who have never had a child.
This is why when one of a couple has a child from a previous relationship and is yearning for another but to no avail, such a situation triggers accusation and counter accusations in society.
But what many people are ignorant of is the fact that having a child earlier in life does not guarantee that such a person would not suffer infertility later.
Infertility according to Dr. Lughano Ndovie a Merck Foundation Alumni and a Scientific Committee Member in a compilation titled “infertility awareness prevention and management “, defined infertility as the failure to conceive after 12 months period of regular unprotected sexual intercourse.
This therefore does not matter whether one has had a child previously or not.
The condition was further sub divided into a Primary Infertility that is couples that have never conceived and Secondary infertility on the other hand which has to do with couple who have conceived before but now failing to get pregnant again.
Mrs. Josephine Alai, the Founder of the Single Parenting with Purpose (SPWP) a non profit making support group for single parents shares her battle with infertility four years in marriage after 11 years of having a set of twins out of wedlock.
“Having kids before, I didn’t know that having kids again would be that much of a challenge. My husband and I had to go through a lot of processes in our quest to get a child” she disclosed.
“I so desperately needed to bear a child for my husband who loved me and my twins so much my words cannot describe” she disclosed to the Spectator in an interview.
Mrs. Alai recalled how she took to “self medications, herbal concoctions, had several tests,ranging from hormonal treatments , HSG,Hydrotubation,IUI,from doctor to doctor yet nothing worked”.
She commended her husband for his support during what she described as turbulent times and who always calmed and assured her that all will be well.
She said as a Christian she always prayed about it and would pass by the church to do so as often as possible.
“Lord,I have served you. Where did I go wrong? You gave me children, not one but twins when I was so young and not ready to have them. You gave me a second chance at life and given me a man who loves and honours me,why would u withhold a child from us” she questioned God.
The Founder of Single Parenting With a Purpose said as human as she was, she got tired and gave up.
“Interestingly, I found out I was pregnant when I had given up. For the first time in four years after marriage” she disclosed.
She said though the pregnancy was not a smooth one, she was grateful to God for blessing her marriage with a baby girl.
“For those trying to conceive, be not discouraged. The process is painful but be assured God has got you and you are in Good hands. He sure makes all things beautiful in His time” she said.
She advised couples to be strong and support each other when they a battling with infertility and also seek medical attention.
She said couples must also note that it was possible to struggle to conceive even after a previous child or children.
From Dzifa Tetteh Tay, Tema.
Muslims across the country celebrated this year’s Eid-ul-Adha in a colourful and spiritually uplifting atmosphere under the theme, “A Season of Sacrifice, Solidarity and Spiritual Renewal.”
The celebration brought together Muslims from diverse backgrounds in a remarkable display of faith, unity and cultural heritage.
The occasion was marked by special Eid prayers at various designated grounds, the slaughtering of rams in homes for sharing among family members, friends and the less privileged, as well as musical concerts and recreational activities including horse riding.
Leading the celebration was the Chief Imam, Dr Sheikh Osman Sharubutu.
While the national celebration was held at the Black Star Square where President John Dramani Mahama was the Special Guest of Honour, similar gatherings took place at different centres across the capital and other regions of the country.
A visit by The Spectator to some celebration grounds revealed Muslims, both young and old, elegantly dressed in colourful jalabiya and other Islamic attire, reflecting the rich culture and traditions of the Muslim community.
The celebration also portrayed the spirit of religious tolerance and peaceful coexistence in the country, as a number of Christians joined their Muslim counterparts to mark the occasion.
Muslim leaders and government officials used the opportunity to call on the faithful to uphold the teachings of the Holy Quran, renew their spiritual commitment and refrain from acts capable of undermining the peace, unity and security of the nation.
They further urged Ghanaians to continue to live in harmony and support one another for national development.
By Linda Abrefi Wadie
Dear Obaa Yaa,
During Eid-ul- Adha celebration, I decided to spend the weekend at my boyfriend’s place since we were planning towards our marriage.
To my surprise, what keeps me wide awake, restless and frustrated every single time is that he snores loudly like a generator running on full power, and I genuinely cannot get any rest
At a point, I thought it was just a normal thing, but I have realised it is something he does with ease and doesn’t see anything wrong with it.
When he steps out in the morning, I try to get enough sleep because I may not sleep in the evening.
The most annoying thing is that, he always wants to cuddle me. These two things are a no for me and a red flag.
We are about to get married, what should I do?
Enam, Keta.
Dear Enam,
The snoring and constant cuddling are frustrating, but you don’t have to choose between sleep and closeness.
Start with the snoring: check if it’s worse when he sleeps on his back, cut out alcohol before bed, try nasal strips or a humidifier, and see a doctor if he pauses while breathing.
For quick relief, foam earplugs or noise-cancelling headphones help a lot.
Separate blankets, a bigger bed, or sleeping apart on some nights often makes couples rest well and feel closer overall.
Bring this up before the wedding .Tell him you want to wake up next to him for years to come, but sleep deprivation makes you both miserable.
Test earplugs and side-sleeping this weekend, and if it’s still unbearable, bring in a doctor. Good sleep matters more for your marriage than staying glued together all night.
