Ousman A. Marong, a Gambian journalist known for covering human interest stories, found himself in an unexpected role that night. At 00:55 AM, his wife Adama felt the birth coming fast. No clinic, no midwife or doctor nearby—they chose to bring their child into the world at home, just the two of them. Inside their house in Fajikunda, a soft lamp cast a warm glow. Ousman had read the birth plan, prepared clean towels, a blanket, and followed the basic safety steps from prenatal classes.
Adama leaned on the bed, breathing through each contraction. Ousman stayed beside her, holding her hand, counting breaths, keeping the room quiet. When the moment came, Adama pushed gently. Within minutes a healthy bouncing baby boy’s cry filled the room. Ousman guided the newborn, cleared the mouth, and placed the baby on Adama’s lap. The placenta followed smoothly; no complications. The baby breathed well, with pink skin, minimal bleeding. Ousman wrapped the infant, checked the cord, and kept them warm. A short while later family arrived, offering support and blessings.
Later, Ousman wrote on a Facebook post: _The experience reminded me that life’s most pivotal moments happen off‑camera, requiring trust, preparation, and calm. Thank you, Adama, for the strength, and our community for the support._
Upon arrival at the Bundung Maternal Healthcare for inspection, Adama told the midwives, “My husband doesn’t have sympathy. Thank God she delivered me safely, but sympathy is the other day in him. Look at the other husbands around, they aren’t even courageous enough to enter the labour ward, yet my husband was standing, witnessing everything. How I wish he also tests the labour room.”
Lilian, a senior midwife at the Bundung Maternal Healthcare, responded, “Came on this show how caring and loving your husband is. If he were weak like you say, it would have been the other way around. You shouldn’t say you wish he could test labour—only God knows why women alone undergo labour.”
“Bravo to midwife Adama Jarju, Jainaba Sanyang, and Lilian. I called this midwife’s top-notch, in their service delivery. God bless you and I advise the CEO to keep an eye on you,” Marong concluded.
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