‘Ebola Did Not Affect Our Intimacy’ – Husband Of Ebola Survivor Who Just Had A Baby

In an interview with Vanguard, Godwin Igonoh, elated father and husband of Dr. Ada Igonoh shared his joy on their baby’s arrival (read here). On how he dealt with initial concerns about his wife’s stint with Ebola, and if he was scared of getting intimate with his wife after she had been certified Ebola free, he said:

“For me, I read so much online but not all information in the internet is correct. So I had to take time to talk to people who knew more, like the Chief Medical Director of First Consultant Hospital, Dr Benjamin Ohiaeri.
He made himself very accessible so I could put a call across to him and ask my questions. Then, the things he told me I researched them online and found out from credible institutions and doctors that have spoken. I found out that those things were actually true.
So having First Consultant available served like a library of experience and knowledge. That was how I dealt with the concerns that I had.
I was not really scared because research shows that men are more at risk because they said semen in the testicles could retain the virus for a while so they advised men to abstain from sex. But they said there was no known history of women retaining the virus. But we actually gave it a few months after she was declared Ebola free. After some time, I felt like…what is the big deal? I am already in the same house with her, so it could be either way. Fluid contact is inevitable between couples. For me, I wasn’t really worried.”

He then described his feelings when he was informed of her pregnant state.

“I was not really sure. I asked, are you sure? Please check again. Pregnancy means a lot to women and men. Both want to have kids.
She said she was sure she was pregnant. I was excited also but I managed my excitement throughout the process. The morning sickness starting coming, she is also a doctor so she helped to explain things to me. I also went online and read them up.
She being a doctor helped, I think is good to marry a doctor because she would help you understand in the layman’s language what’s really going on. First Consultant played a vital role in our lives because they keep helping us understand what needs to be done.”

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He also shared on his reaction to news of their baby girl’s birth and why she was born in America.

“When I heard my wife just delivered, because it is something I rehearsed, what do I do is the question I asked myself. I see having kids as an expression of power by couples because with much power comes great responsibility.
I always managed my excitement with the sense of understanding that there is a responsibility that comes with having kids. And that is what we really want to focus on. If you live in the euphoria that you have a child without actually preparing to take responsibility to be on ground to support that child to add to the society then you missed it.
When they told me she had a baby safely, I said yes, we need to get to work because she is going to need parents that are reliable and dependable and can teach her integrity. So for me, beyond the excitement, basically I try to remind myself that now you have a child you have to be responsible enough to do more than usual.
We all know that government is doing enough but we have lot to do in the country’s health sector. I think it is only fair if you can get the best from the other side you go get it.”