Mistaken genotype

with them. He told Daniel Ugwu that it was about his wife's pregnancy. The doctor had reassured Daniel that all was well. The Ugwus though took

parkling, accentuating the beige paint on the walls. It was remarkable that for a man his age he wore no glasses despite reading countless books every day. By his right was a clock,

. "So, my dear Nkechi Ugwu, how i

es, doctor. Thank

told your husband, someth

. Daniel Ugwu only pondered what the doctor must be about

normal test to make sure our babies turn out well. I don't want you to be alarmed

everything was okay. The baby was good. She only had three more months and she would have a bouncing baby girl; her first in her two

epeated the s

We did a NIPT test or what is called a non-invasive prenatal

retorted, looking at the d

g, Nkechi? Could th

and mine is AA. How could

re he asked Nkechi. "Our tests are ninety-nine

for an answer

it's not

AS or one of you is SS. Twenty-five percent of Nigerians are AS so I presume

an for us? I mean, for our family since the child has SS genotype. All

xygen around the body, starving key organs. That brings a lot of sickness with it. Many sickle

art fro

But the burden of the illness can take a heavy tol

understan

to eight to ten million naira every year. You have to be ready. Also, there is the fear that y

d his means. Daniel Ugwu mentally calculated how much he made every year from his auto spare p

sked the doctor. "I don't

yet. You just have to manage it and pray your daughter

dim," she said

he imagined what the future will be with this child. This is a gift from God, he

ctor. Thank you fo

st doctor who treats children with sickle cell disease. You would ne

and told her it would be okay. The cost involved in caring for this baby was

astor had advised her before their marriage. She and Daniel had gone for marriage counseling where the Pastor told them that they ne

to do the genotype te

both of you if you are also AS. There i

cond result said she was AA. She told the Pastor about the confusion and he advised her to do a third test. When she di

mewhere," she said ada

is field. Please, let me have my pea

s," she promised him. "My bab

mother called. Daniel tol

rn child," his mother, Fa

er. I just told you the problem we wi

y that lady. That ogbanje lady.

at I wanted to

ter that has no hope of surviving on this planet? Is she not ogbanje? Only a witch can give birth t

e to say, I think I will

is what is leading you to problem

er wants to t

ant to talk with her. It's all ab

r her out

n him and went to the bedroom,

s in a better frame of mind. Right now, we a

unleashed. Listening patiently, he tried to reas

I have to talk sense into that your stupid wif

******

uld not be right. It was inconceivable that their child would have the SS

l. He has been our family doctor fo

to do another test. Let's just

mes? Now, look at what we are facing. Please, let me hav

pt his words like that!

ound my problems. We should be preparing for what will happen when this child is born, not d

ted was to find out what side was lying to them - the doctor or the labs where she had done her tests. Or maybe her husband's test was wrongly done. She was sure

know," he said. "My mo

will do. She is always i

isdom comes with old age. She might give us some suggestions that could be helpful. I am

's here, there is

r or are you the one causing the trouble?

saying but that's what

o change your attitude towards her. S

t I am pregnant. I am two months pregnant," was Nkechi's reply. On the third day, she complained that they had given her a small room because they did not want her around. "I know you are secretly plotting to throw me out of this house. For your information, this house belongs to my son." Everything about her was complaints upon complaints. Although t

I will be on my own. I j

her. He was already fa

ity distribution company did not take the power. She needed some fresh air which the fan would blow