Mortality at Birth

In a certain village, there was a beautiful young woman called Jet, who got married to a handsome young man called Adam. They had their first child, a daughter, and were filled with joy at her birth. In those days, people typically had many children, and this couple also aspired to have many children.

Besides the fact that there was no effective way to repeatedly deter pregnancy for the long-term, having many children meant prosperity for parents in Adam and Jet’s ethnic community. Therefore, it was prestigious to have as many children as possible, as they would grow up, work on the land or elsewhere, acquire additional assets and assist their parents in old age. Retirement benefits then were obtained by having children, rather than having a career in the city.

Also, life was not as difficult as it is today, because people relied more on the land to produce their food. They sold their excess harvest for money, which they used to purchase other necessities. Private and public vehicles were few and far between, so instead, most people walked or used donkeys or bicycles.

Television was not invented yet or any other modern-day gadgets that people are used to for entertainment. Back then, people listened to battery-operated radios or gramophones that played vinyl records. Musical instruments were non-electric and included lyres, drums, guitars, harmonica, accordions and others. They were often made from local, organic materials like cowhide, gourds, wood and wires.

In addition, paper money was not the only medium of exchange, as barter systems were still in existence. Cowrie shells and precious metals were also mediums of exchange. People obtained cowrie shells from rivers and lakes while fishing, swimming or washing clothes, whereas precious metals were mined crudely.

Back in the village, after the birth of Adam and Jet’s daughter, Jet conceived again within a year. However, their second baby died at delivery. During the following year, Jet conceived again and as before, the third baby died at delivery. The couple was not deterred, however, and nature continued to take its course as Jet conceived six times in eight years, though their babies all died at delivery. They still hoped for a large family despite repeated failure.

Delivery in those days happened at home on a mat on the floor inside the house. There were no hospitals or maternity wards nearby. Therefore, Adam always waited in another room with their daughter while Jet struggled through delivery with a local midwife.

Midwives typically were old women beyond childbearing age, who were supposed to be very experienced in the ordinary aspects, as well as the nuances of childbirth. They were well known in the communities and respected. They used herbal remedies whenever there was a need to medicate women and babies.

One particular midwife assisted Jet every time she was ready to deliver. Because they had lost so many babies at birth, the couple became suspicious and during the eighth delivery, they invited a few other women to witness the proceedings.

Their only daughter and child also hid nearby and watched carefully, as permitted and arranged by her parents. She was now nine years old, keen and fearless. She was also eager to have siblings like other children she played with.

Indeed, as the baby’s head emerged, the midwife did not prepare to ease it out, but rather to hurt it! She had a large needle in her left hand that she intended to use to pierce the soft palpitating membrane on the baby’s head. The needle was curved like a darning needle, and therefore not easy to spot as it fit nicely in her half-closed hand.

However, the couple’s daughter glimpsed it and shouted, “She has a needle in her left hand! She has a needle in her left hand! She has a needle in her left hand!”

On hearing this, Jet tried to move away, and the other women drew closer, observed more attentively, and then actually saw and wrestled the needle from the midwife. All along, she had been cleverly using her left hand to conceal and insert the needle, while using her right hand to pretend to assist the delivery.

At last, the eighth pregnancy resulted in a live birth for the couple. It was a baby boy! They never allowed the malicious midwife to aid in delivery again. Jet went on to have five more children. Her young daughter had saved the day!