A Nigerian lawyer, Gift Onyinye Ola, has sparked a heated debate with her recent remarks urging women to opt for cesarean sections rather than enduring the pain of natural childbirth.
In a series of posts on her Facebook page, she criticized the mindset that equates suffering with strength, particularly among African women.
Ola took aim at the widespread belief that enduring labor pains makes a woman stronger, arguing that pain should not be seen as a badge of honor.
She expressed concern over how many women insist on going through excruciating childbirth experiences simply to prove their resilience. According to her, choosing medical options like cesarean surgery should not be seen as a weakness but as a way to prioritize health and well-being.
She particularly challenged the popular religious saying that women should give birth “like the Hebrew woman,” suggesting that this notion is often misinterpreted.
She emphasized the importance of proper prenatal care, healthy nutrition, and medical interventions when necessary to ensure the safest possible delivery for both mother and child.
Her remarks have drawn mixed reactions, with some women applauding her for promoting a modern, medically sound approach to childbirth. They agree that avoiding unnecessary pain should be normalized, especially when safe alternatives are available.
Others, however, have pushed back, arguing that natural childbirth remains a deeply rooted cultural and personal choice, and that medical interventions should be reserved for complications rather than convenience.
“God never promised we would give birth like the Hebrew woman. There’s no such thing. Take care of yourself, eat the right food, go to antennal, Do CS or anything medically possible to reduce the trauma,” she wrote in a Facebook post on Monday.”
Source: NewsandVibes.com
