25 Years of Marriage, No Child — A Heartbreaking True Story Shared by Dr. Sendia Sultan
Dr Nadia Sultana Today, I received a phone call that completely shocked me.
A woman, after living 25 years of married life without having a child, was abandoned by her husband. He recently married another woman through court marriage — without ever taking his first wife to a good fertility specialist or even considering proper medical treatment for infertility. He only visited a few unqualified practitioners (FWB) two or three times in all those years.
Had he taken her to a proper doctor, perhaps she could have also become a mother.
The husband convinced his first wife to give him her savings — about 5 to 6 lakh taka — and some gold ornaments, claiming he needed it for a business. Out of trust and love, she gave him everything. After all, she had spent 25 years of her life with this man.
The second wife later became pregnant. I Dr. Nadia Sultana
, Delivery Specialist, Biyani Baja Rakha Cancer Hospital, Sylhet) saw her once and prescribed only basic supplements — iron and calcium — which are given to every pregnant woman.
A month later, her baby tragically died during delivery because they attempted a home delivery without medical supervision. After this, the second wife, her family, and the husband accused the first wife of consulting me and giving medicine that caused the baby’s death.
They even went to a private clinic and showed my prescription, claiming that my medicines killed the baby. The medical officer at that clinic scolded them, saying, “These are basic supplements every pregnant woman takes. No one in the world has ever died from iron or calcium tablets.”
I wasn’t aware of any of this until much later when a fellow doctor told me how the situation unfolded. It’s heartbreaking how cruel and manipulative people can be — blaming others for their own carelessness.
And now, the most tragic part — just two days ago, the husband divorced his first wife because his second wife demanded it, saying she wouldn’t continue the marriage otherwise.
Today, the first wife called me and said,
“Madam, my husband divorced me and gave me one lakh taka as my dower money, but I haven’t received it yet. Could you please help me find a job?”
Hearing this broke my heart. The woman is around 50 years old now.
How cruel fate can be — after 25 years of love, loyalty, and patience, her husband left her simply because she couldn’t bear a child.
Didn’t he ever feel love or compassion in all those 25 years?
Thankfully, with some effort, I was able to help her find a job.
This story reminds us one painful truth:
People only talk about love — but most love exists for self-interest.
Once the interest is gone, love disappears into thin air.
