‘It’s My Responsibility’: Musabe Proudly Supports Wife Through Pregnancy and Childbirth”

BY: HOPE LEOTINAH

It was a sunny Thursday evening when I met Mr Musabe Ronald, a resident of Kijongo Burungu Parish, North Division, Fort Portal City. He wore a brighter smile than usual, for a good reason. Musabe was seen proudly carrying his newborn baby as his wife, Goret Tuhaise, walked beside him, flanked by joy despite the recent labor pains.

As they made their way home, some men laughed at Musabe, amused by the sight of a father carrying his child. However, the 26-year-old father of two saw this as a moment of pride. For him, escorting his 24-year-old wife to the hospital for delivery and sharing in the responsibility of bringing their baby home was a deeply fulfilling experience.

Unlike in traditional African society, where women are expected to carry both the baby and their luggage after delivery, Tuhaise walked beside her husband, holding a basin with other items, her face glowing with a smile.

“I am happy because my wife has delivered well, and we are going home with our new visitor, who is yet to be named. Thank God she didn’t need a cesarean section. As a husband, it is my responsibility to support her through every step, I used to accompany her during antenatal care visits, and this was expected of me,” He said.

He said he not only carried the baby from the hospital but also, during ANC, he did not miss any visiting day saying whenever it was a visiting day at the health facility they would go together.

Musabe said on his first day at the health facility escorting her wife for antenatal care, he was the only man among a group of over 20 women, and together with his wife, they were given special attention by health workers by attending them first.

“We were both tested for HIV/AIDS, UTIs, and STDs. I learned how to handle the situation if she went into labor,” he said.

He said on the day of delivery, he was ready because he was the one who packed all the necessary items for the hospital, just as the health workers had instructed him during their antenatal visits.

“When she told me she was in pain, I didn’t hesitate. We quickly hired a boda boda and headed to the health facility. The health workers welcomed us with smiles, and she was taken to the labor room while I waited outside, praying for a safe delivery,” He said.

Musabe dismissed a common myth where many people say and believe that men who escort their wives to the hospital experience labor pains themselves saying, “That’s not true,” he laughed. “You just pray for her to deliver safely. Men should start escorting their wives; it’s part of fulfilling your responsibilities as a husband, not just impregnating a woman,”

While some in the community criticized him for spending so much time with his wife and helping with domestic chores, Musabe’s family supported him.

“My family members are happy that I help her, despite me being a peasant, I don’t earn much, together with my wife we plan together for our family’s future. We are all members of a Village Savings and Loan Association (VSLA), where we save money for future investments,” He said.

Tuhaise feels blessed. “I think I am one of the few lucky women to have a husband who is there for me, even escorting me to the hospital. We started the antenatal visits together and continued until the end. I saw many of my fellow women coming alone, but I was never alone. I am not special, but just blessed,” she smiled.

Some of her peers have even suggested she bewitched her husband to make him so involved in their shared life. “They wonder what I did to him to make us plan and move together all the time,” she said.

Reflecting on their plans, Tuhaise mentioned that they are considering family planning for child spacing. “During our ANC visits, we were informed about various methods. Soon, I will visit the health facility to explore options like the implant, which is suitable for breastfeeding mothers and can be removed anytime.”

In a community where traditional gender roles often go unchallenged, Musabe Ronald stands out as a father and husband who actively defies these norms. He said his commitment to his wife and family sets an example for others, showing that men, too, have a crucial role to play in supporting their partners through all stages of life.

Ms. Kabahenda Annet, the in charge child and maternal health fort portal city applauded men like Musabe who support their wives through child birth as this helps to reduce maternal stress, foster healthier pregnancy outcomes, and create a nurturing environment for child development.

‘‘when men support their wives through pregnancy and child up bringing it helps to reduce health risks and strengthens the father’s bond with their child and thus a stronger partnership as they navigate together the challenges of parenthood’’ she stated.