Miscarriage on graduation day!

Corrine Nyawira got married to Allan in June this year when she was five months pregnant according to her it was “just a simple civil wedding with family members”

She indeed plans to have a bigger church wedding after baby comes. However, Corrine has had to wade through her fears to be able to move on. She talks to Emma Odaba.

Everything had seemed perfect. I vividly remember what happened on December 7th 2006, the day of my graduation. I was graduating from Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC). The atmosphere was pompous and full of excitement. I was happy and certain that I would be comfortable in spite of being six weeks pregnant. Suddenly, amidst all the hullabaloo, I just started bleeding. I could not believe it! I did not tell anyone about it. I just left the graduation and went straight to hospital. My husband, Alan, who was away came the following day and we went to the hospital again.

I cried for the next two months

At the hospital, we were not told the cause of the miscarriage. I was devastated! I cried for the next two months. The pain was so unbearable that I could hardly concentrate on my studies. Moreover, I kept thinking that the miscarriage was my fault.

Consequently, when I realized that I had missed my periods in February this year, I did not want to talk about it. After a while, my husband commented that I looked like I was pregnant. At first, I did not say anything. A few weeks later, he suggested that I go for a pregnancy test but I felt that I was not ready. I did not want to go through the same pain and disappointment that my husband and I had gone through the first time. I decided to go for the test when he continually persisted. The test turned out positive. I was very happy. I immediately called my husband and told him about it. He was not surprised because, as he said, he expected it.

Class, work and pregnancy

After three months, I started feeling nauseated. The morning sickness was so bad that I could not cook; I could not stand the smell of onions and tomatoes. I started feeling very tired and lazy. Going to work became a problem. I just wanted to sleep. At the same time, I was also attending evening classes at the University. It became hard to balance class, work and pregnancy. Though I had the option of taking drugs to counter the nausea, I decided not to. I avoided eating anything that would make me puke. I also used to take dry biscuits and apples. I managed work by going as early as 7.00a.m. to open the clinic (I am a clinical officer) until 5:00p.m. then go to class until 8:00p.m..

Apparently, this pregnancy has changed me a lot. At least I do not look like a baby anymore. Even my colleagues tell me that I look more mature and rounded. In the first three months of the pregnancy, I wanted my husband to be close to me each moment. I did not want him to go away from me. The pregnancy also makes me crave to be touched and cuddled. I know some women dislike their husbands during pregnancy but – it has been different with me. In fact, my husband says that he is very lucky because the pregnancy seems to like him.

Baby’s sex

I would be very excited if I got a baby boy though my hubby wants a girl. I hope to have a normal delivery. I would rather feel the pain and get back to my feet quickly than go through a C-section. I would like my mom to be my birth partner.

Best moment

My best moment of this pregnancy comes when the baby is kicking

Worst moment

My worst moment was during the first three months because I was not sure if I was going to pull through especially with the memory of what had happened during my first pregnancy. I did not want to be so optimistic lest I got disappointed

END: PG 10/24-25