• It's said that not all heroes wear capes. Well, some wear scrubs! In today's edition of Momigo, we had a quick interview with one of the leading voices in health tech, Dr. Chioma, popularly known as Dr. Zobo. She uses her versatile platform to educate the public about their health and demystifies age-long harmful medical practices. When she's not saving lives, she's also a wife and a mother to a handsome boy. She proves that you can do anything you set out to do as a mom and homemaker. Let's get into it!

• BM: Tell us a bit about yourself.
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My name is Dr. Chioma Nwakanma. I'm a medical doctor, sexual and reproductive health physician, and public health professional. I'm the founder of the Smile With Me Foundation. An NGO that leverages digital health and education to build the bridge between consumers and health care providers in Nigeria. Primarily catering to low-income communities in Nigeria and Africa. 

Our core value is cancer prevention and reproductive healthcare. We offer preventive healthcare services to low and middle-income earners. I'm also a communications director at Medically Speaking Africa. Where I also go by "Dr. Zobo." I break down healthcare myths by fact-checking these sources as a healthcare influencer. I also use the medium to share medical and healthcare information in exciting ways.

• BM: What does motherhood mean to you?
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Hmmmm… It's a journey that you keep learning every day. It's a learning curve. Personally, as much as external factors like parents and family, it's personal for everyone. And enjoy it even during the highs and lows. Keep your mind open for anything during this journey.

• BM: What was your experience being a first-time mom?
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It's been exciting, and it comes with highs and lows, as I mentioned earlier. You have an exceptional human being in your care. And you will do your best to ensure you care for the baby and yourself. 

Being a first-time mom has taught me about patience and self-control than I ever knew. And also, the fact that I'm living for someone is mind-blowing. People talk about dying for someone; living for the people we love is equally important. It has been a beautiful journey so far.

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• BM: Was breastfeeding a significant shocker for you? 
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It wasn't much of a shocker. Being in the medical field, I knew theoretically that these things existed. I had gone through this with women in different stages of their reproductive health. However, as a human being and a learned person, you sometimes feel immune to such things.

One of the things that stood out for me was the mood swings during pregnancy. 

My pregnancy journey was a sweet one. The first shocker I got was during my third trimester, which was the heat. It felt like it came from underneath me. It was so unbearable. I thank God I'm out of that phase. It was a terrible experience. I couldn't even put on makeup because it felt like everything would melt on my face. 

Postpartum mood swings are also a thing. I was sleep deprived, and it messed with my mental health. I was trying to manage my emotions and adjust to work. It was a whole lot for me. I felt overwhelmed at the beginning. I had the support of friends and family, who were with me from the start. 

Don't try to do life alone. I also sought the help of a mental health expert during those times. The therapy immensely helped me. I should add that the physical changes weren't a shocker, but I was surprised when I saw myself. I had it all to the weight gain. 

• BM: As a physician, would you say you were fully prepared for pregnancy and the motherhood journey?
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Yes, I had a plan surrounding my pregnancy. From conception, we had a plan. Thank God I didn't say I could do it all because I'm a medic. During my journey, I took my advice. I listened to myself—the advice I would have given a new mom registered for antenatal classes. I never missed any of my antenatal classes, regardless of my profession. 

I found out that it goes beyond knowledge. It's more of an experience. Nothing beats shared experience. Everyone was sharing their experiences, from first-time moms to experienced mothers. We also had a room for discussions. 

During pregnancy, I was consistent with my supplements. I started taking supplements before pregnancy. My husband also attended all antenatal classes with me. He planned his work schedule for easy access. He was an essential part of this journey too. 

I have to give it to him. From conception to pregnancy, he was there for me. This is also a wake-up call for partners to support their wives during this journey. We had a plan. Even down to labour, I had a plan A to plan Z. In case this plan fails, we move to the next plan.

• BM: I see you're big on affirmations. Would you encourage other moms to do this during conception, pregnancy, and motherhood? How has that shaped your journey?
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I'm big on affirmations, which I still do from pregnancy till now. I've also written down my baby's affirmations. I recite it to him. I'm sure he'll grasp it better when he starts talking. 

I grew up with affirmations. It helped build my confidence during pregnancy and now. It gives me the boost that I can tackle anything. I told people I was never scared of delivery, even for one day. 

It's not to brag because I focused on positive cases when planning. It just reassures me that I can do it and that God has brought me this far. I highly recommend affirmations. It does a lot for your mental health.

Even during postpartum, affirmations were my lock screen. I have it in different corners of my room. It's in designated places to remind myself that everything is in control and God's hands.

• BM: Any funny moments as a first-time mom?
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(Laughs) There have been a lot. I won't say it is funny, but fascinating. I would watch him sleep to make sure he was still breathing. My mom and mother-in-law found it comical from an experienced point of view. I wouldn't sleep when he sleeps. 

Afterward, I'd complain that I lacked sleep. It was amazing. I wake up every day seeing things have changed and the milestones we've achieved. At one point, my son was scared of his fart. (Laughs)

• BM: How do you merge a busy schedule and being a mom?
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 At first, I make plans, and the baby has his way. But planning helps. When I was exclusively breastfeeding, I scheduled my bottles and also took note of the number of bottles my baby needed.

I did exclusive breastfeeding for six months and ensured I had a few bottles in the freezer and fridge. Bottle scheduling helped me attend to other areas of my life. The support of my husband and family made it more accessible. 

Right now, I plan his feeding time. I have a family meal schedule. I also have my baby's meal schedule. I always meal prep and everything. I cook it in bulk and store it in the freezer. I make sure he takes his cereal on time. His siesta is by 2pm. 

That way, everyone can rest. It's getting easier by the day. Planning has also helped me take charge of my life. It's not easy, but it's getting better. It'll be much better as other babies come. I know every pregnancy and child is different. But it won't be as difficult as the first one.

• BM: What advice would you give to other moms?
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• Take it easy on yourself because most times, I found myself down, I had people supporting me, and it wasn't easy. Don't try to use the world standard to grade yourself. You and your baby's journey is different from another mother's. If you notice something off, you should speak with a medical expert.
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Don't try to absorb negativity and put pressure on yourself. Please accept help. A lot of women are proactive. We often feel like we want to shoulder everything. Don't feel guilty for asking for help. You're a human being too. If you need house help or a nanny, get one. 

Take the chance while you have it. Ask for help, everyone understands, and if they don't, that's on them. There's no competition in suffering. Learn to know when you're tired. Life will move on with or without you. You'll be a memory after a few months. You're the best person to parent your child and no one else. 

Watch her series on youtube to stay in trend with your health, or follow her on Instagram for more!