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Enjoying Pregnancy


It is possible to be pregnant and to love it. After all pregnancy is not a disease,its a privilege.It calls for conscious choices to enjoy the journey and to make those around you comfortable too.

When we discovered we were pregnant, we were so excited and I could not wait for the stomach to start showing. Infact there are times when I tried to  push my tummy infront so that people can see our source of joy. I read that in a short while that tummy,would grow and expand until you wonder whether you can expand anymore. I remember one morning Alex saying to me “ your stomach is big and I warned him that it  would get bigger with time”. However, despite the surprise shockers of a trouser and top fitting today and then not fitting the next week,I enjoyed the journey of pregnancy.

I felt honoured and privileged to be pregnant. How many families want a child but have not got one ? It was an exciting journey, feeling the kicks, Alex singing to the baby and the baby kicking back in response, hearing the heart beat, the ultra scan allowing you to see the baby grow, the 3D scan which was our favourite, we got a preview of Samara’s face before birth, all these were moments to treasure.

 I worked the whole duration making almost weekly trips to Naivasha to coordinate some projects  in my 37th/38th week. I would drive, hold meetings and drive back to Nairobi. But by the time, I arrived home I was so fatigued. One day after one of those, I came home and there was nothing to eat in the fridge and I was not about to cook. So I called my beloved and requested that he brings us something to eat .He came with something wrapped in foil that looked like chicken but was like some leftovers. I just broke down like a baby, here I was starved and could hardly get any meat from the 'chicken'. I don't recall what we did after that but Alex was shocked, he couldn’t understand  what was wrong . Up to date I have never known what went wrong with that chicken..he says he bought it in their canteen.

While pregnant, I worked close to home so I would walk home at lunch time, eat quickly and take a short nap before walking back, in the evening I would walk home, take a nap for about an hour then I would be energized to prepare supper and clean the dishes. Alex was very supportive during the time and it made things much easier. He accompanied me to all the clinics , asked all the questions that he could, we subscribed to baby center that sent both of us updates on the baby and it was a wonderful experience. His support just meant the world to me, I knew that we were both pregnant.

I vividly recall, being very fearful of labour or reading about labour. Infact, I could not look at pictures of women giving birth, when I did look during lamaze classes, I cried. A friend advised that there is grace for every season and as I get  closer towards labour ,my mind would be prepared to handle the information and process. That  wisdom helped so much because for sure when time for labour came,it was surprisingly manageable, why I say that its because of all the horror stories I had heard about labour and giving birth.

On 6th January 2010, Emma had picked me from home and taken me out  for pizza. At about 2p.m the contractions started. We enjoyed our pizza, went home, put a movie, timed the contractions and we called Alex at about 4p.m. to come home. When he came, Emma left and we ate supper, showered, prayed and headed for hospital at about 10.15p.m. When we got there the nurse said we had dilated 7cm and requirement is 10cm,she broke the water and we headed for the labour ward. And all this time my beloved was by my side and it was very manageable. Alex did such a good job in the delivery room, wiping my face and being the first to see Samara. He can tell his side of the story. After that I was like, that was it? The baby was placed on my breast,cleaned up and we were wheeled to the ward…amazing and your world is never the same again.
Some tips that helped me:
  1.  Have an open mind,seive the information you take in from other people, every pregnancy is unique. Its just like relationships, they can never be the same.
  2. Count your blessings, pray,pray and pray some more for mother, child, doctors, the whole process from conception to delivery and upbringing of child
  3. Have a supportive partner( be it husband, sister or close friend)
  4. Read the internet(http://www.babycenter.com) and books like what to expect when you are expectant.
  5. Bite what you can chew i.e. take it a day at a time, be joyful.I personally avoided visual images of women giving birth.
  6. Attend Lamaze classes ( if one can afford). The classes are ideal from 28weeks and are about 6 lessons spread over less than 2 months.
  7. Do not be anxious, do not overlook anything, ask your doctor, other families that have gone before you
  8. Dress well , it makes you feel good about yourself and the changes in your body
  9. Hire someone to do the cleaning in your home so as not to strain your back. Use a mop if you have to clean
  10. Rest, rest and rest some more.

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