Becoming Jatelo’s Mother
At the time of this interview Veronica’s baby was three weeks old. Though still in pain, (she had a C-section) she was eager to share her experience with Pregnant’s Rebecca Njoki
DELIVERY time may be a harrowing experience for many women, but not all of them can honestly say that they could have handled it like Veronica Odhiambo. Not the least of her problems was the fact that, by the time she reached her EDD, Veronica had gained a gruesome and shocking 31kgs in weight. At the time of this interview Veronica’s baby was three weeks old. Though still in pain, (she had a C-section) she was eager to share her experience with Pregnant.
‘I went into labour on 6th July. Or so I found out. When cramping began, I assumed I was hungry, again. I had just had a meal, so I thought that was a bit funny. The pain stopped after a short while, and so I promptly forgot it and continued about my business. I was to prepare for my chama visitors that I was hosting the next day.
I woke up with contractions on my EDD, the 7th. They were severe, so I decided to go to the hospital to check that everything was all right. You cannot imagine my shock when the doctor informed me that I was to be admitted immediately! It was only about 9 am, and I was dismayed at the thought of all my visitors shortly beginning to make their way to my home. I have never been one to shirk my responsibilities. Consequently, I thanked the doctor and told him I would pop in later.
I made the wild decision to be transferred to another hospital
The chama went by without a hitch: by 3 pm, I was back at the hospital. The timing was surprising, for in a matter of minutes my contractions begun coming at short intervals and more strongly. The attitude of the nurses at this hospital did not make the situation better. They irritated me senseless! At about 11 pm, I made the wild decision to be transferred to another hospital—you can’t argue with a pregnant woman, let alone one in labour. So, shortly, we were in a panic-stricken convoy: Godfrey, my husband, my sister, a good friend and myself, all racing to my chosen facility.
I was provided with painkillers immediately upon arrival, but I was suffering badly. Although I was only 4 cm dilated, I was in such pain, the nurses decided to help by breaking my waters so as to hasten the process of labour. I was still waiting to push hours later, having just reached 7 cm dilation.
When I was told that there was a problem
It was almost 10 am, and I was just readying myself to enter the last stages of labour when I was told that there was a problem—my baby’s head was stuck!
He simply couldn’t move an inch further! That was my baby they were talking about. I loathed the concerns that showed on their faces. I wanted to get out there and fix the matter. But I was exhausted physically, emotionally and morally. I needed help in every way. A doctor arrived shortly and promptly rolled me to the theatre for a C-section, just before everything faded away when my body gave into the anaesthesia. I felt a touch of hope.
I have always known that labour is painful. But the pain from the C-section is beyond forgetting … Just as I shall never forget the support of my loved ones around me. And Alice, my midwife. She stood by my side as I pinched and called her all sorts of names, returning a back rub for an insult, and a gentle breathing instruction for a curse, never even snapping when I ignored her.
What on earth did they expect me to do?
Nothing in my imagination ever came close to the pain I felt on this day. Labour took me to another world. Especially, when they told me I would not dilate anymore—in other words, my baby’s head was stuck—thanks to the weight I had put on. What on earth did they expect me to do?! If I never lost it at this time, I never will. My behaviour attracted a lot of attention. I remember person after person trailing to my bed to see whether they could ease my situation and I knew I came out as one of the most un-appreciating patient, but truth be told. I have never stopped appreciating these well-meaning people to this date, including those in the theatre who massaged me as we waited for the anaesthesia to take effect.
To say the least, you need to go through it to understand. I still don’t feel I am communicating the experience.
Jatelo Odhiambo, my son
Then I reached the other world. Seeing my baby come out is the least of ways I could describe heaven. Thanks to the half-way anaesthesia I chose. Being part of the first people that saw my child was ecstatic.
Holding Jatelo in my arms, made all the pain worth it. For your information, Jatelo means a leader in Luo. That’s why I picked that name. Jatelo Odhiambo, my son, has got emerge the head and not the tail in his endeavours.
His father stood by my side all the while. They way he could hardly take off his eyes away from Jatelo was a sure way of saying he was glad about his son’s arrival.
WISHES
I could feel the Jatelo’s kicks in my belly again… I loved them so much: I would eat ice cubes or take cold water to jumpstart the exercise, the few times he decided to be lazy.
FEARS
For some reason, I could not push away the fear that my baby would swallow meconium during labour, Or the bizarre thought that milk glands would not satiate Jatelo.
I am appreciative of the fact that he didn’t partake of meconium and my booby seems to feed him to peace. So I feel the grace of living one day at a time.
MANY THANKS…
To my parents. They have been more than a back-bone. My mother is keen on the milk-gauge in my house. It doesn’t go below quarter tank. Her constant advice all the way has bred confidence in mothering Jatelo. What else would a daughter ask for?
CONCERN
My weight. From 63kgs to 96kgs is reason enough to call for help. The doctors attributed it to a lot of junk—which in essence, I could not stop craving for.
But I am on top of my game in being the best mother, which includes being fit and healthy. As soon as I gel up and about, the extra fat has to see the door.
END: PG 15/53-54