Rachel Wambui narrates how she became pregnant while breastfeeding

My first baby was almost nine months and I was still breastfeeding fulltime. I was contemplating resigning from work because taking care of the baby while working at the same time was taking a toll on me. My son had been unwell and had refused to eat, that is why he was on breast milk for all his meals.

I was feeling tired and my period, which is ordinarily regular, had delayed for some reason. That did not worry me as I thought it was due to breastfeeding. I was not on any contraceptive, having only recently delivered my first child. However, my husband and I were ‘careful’ while we consulted on what to use.

I also felt sick and thought I had a fever. I went to be tested and requested a pregnancy test because my period had delayed by three weeks. The staff at the laboratory advised me to wait for another two weeks because the test would be more accurate if I was more than five weeks pregnant. Nevertheless I could not wait and opted to take the test.

When I went for the results the staff were all smiles; they congratulated me, ‘You are pregnant!’ That was also my last day at work because I had by then decided to be a stay-at-home mum while planning for the future.

I was not surprised when I received news of my pregnancy. I was filled with both nervousness and enthusiasm. I went to my car and sat there as tears rolled down my cheeks. I told God, ‘Do it unto me according to your word.’ I quoted that verse when Mary was told she was pregnant by Angel Gabriel.

Giving birth the first time had been traumatising. For me childbirth was too painful and I did not feel ready to deliver again. I wanted another child but not this quickly. So when I was told my expected date of delivery the whole matter hit me.

I didn’t know what to do next because I had a baby at hand and at the same time I could not just refuse this pregnancy. I called my husband as I was driving home. I felt so overwhelmed. While we were chatting I couldn’t hold it any more. I stopped the car, got out crying and told him, ‘I’m pregnant again!’

My husband was happy and congratulated me. He asked me where I was and told me to take a deep breath and go home; he would be there soon.

Now that I have settled down, I am glad I am pregnant now rather than later as my first born will be one year and six months when I give birth.

PG FEB-MAR 2007 / 29