I got the POWER

I got the POWER

Some time in May, Nora Ndonye was bound in a two-week spell of nauseating headaches and fatigue that would just not budge no matter how much she rested. Going to hospital in a bid to establish her body’s bizzare behaviour, she was handed the news that she was pregnant. Well, it was planned. So the news of course was well received. She tells Pregnant more.

Now, five months gone, I sleep a lot more than usual. I occasionally get headaches—though, not as severe as what I experienced in my first trimester. I neither have food aversions.

Plans for the baby
I have great ones. For now, it’s a day at a time. I am hoping for a girl—one of my life’s dream. The ear piercings, cute dresses, clipped hair—I can’t wait to adorn her. You know that’s not the case with boys.

Best moments
The news that I was carrying a baby— for my partner, because I love him very much. I also love it when people tell me about the glow on my face.

Worst moment
Morning sickness. The level of repulsion that comes every morning when you wake up is indescribable. What a way to start a day.

Another horrifying moment was when I was out with friends during a wedding’s evening party. I noticed a lot of fluid coming out. and I prayed against the obvious thought of it being a miscarriage. I kept my calm until it ceased then made for the doctor’s. Thankfully, after the check up he told me that the baby was in perfect condition and that whatever I had experienced was normal.

Most supportive
A close friend has been very loyal. She prepares me for what to expect as she has been expectant before. She is always ready to provide moral support when I am weighed down by my maternal misgivings. She has helped me plan and take a good diet, organised my wardrobe accordingly and told me just how to carry myself. I don’t see her tiring from my endless questions. She is amazing.

Fears
Oh the labour pains. I have heard that the pain is something beyond this world; but I am determined to go through it anyhow.

The probability of having multiple births also gives me the shivers—now that my dad is a twin. That would be overwhelmed by two newborns.

I miss…
My active days. I was fun-loving and high-spirited, and although my pregnancy has not had any complications, it has slowed me down. I watch as my friends take active parts in social events and dancing their nights away. I get a bit envious. Clearly, I can no longer put up with that kind of activity.

But well, now that I am totally responsible of someone special, overhauling my lifestyle for them is definitely in order. Even the idea of working twice or thrice harder, soon after they show up around the 14 February, 2010, is very welcome. I am all flexed up—in motherhood.

Another Kibukosya in the making

Chrystal, daughter to Giddo Kibukosya and Suzanne Gachukia, is rubbing her hands over her belly. She tells Pregnant how being heavy with child has given her life’s perspective a new pair of glasses.

I was on a contraceptive that had altered my regular menses. So when I stopped so as to conceive. I was not sure whether the lack of my period was my body system adjusting or that I was finally expectant. A pregnancy test confirmed my expectation.

Then the tumultuous first trimester drama set in. Morning sickness, nausea, heartburn—all combined. I also was bleeding which made my doctor recommend bed rest till my fourth month, making me put to a halt all my endeavours for further schooling.

At week 20.1 confirmed that the precious thing in me was a girl; my angel! A perfectly answered prayer.

New lessons
I never knew one would get heavy so fast. I thought my belly was growing much faster compared to a buddy who is also pregnant. I neither knew I would add so much weight within a short time: a result of the enormous appetite that has been growing in leaps and bounds. But my doctor has well assured me that my weight gain is in order.

The baby has given me a new sense of responsibility and I look forward to raising her. I have learnt to save whatever little money I get for her arrival.

The different me
I am calm and this is new to me. By and large. I have been an irritable touchy person who would easily fling whatever was in my hands towards the direction of an odious person: then think of the consequence later. But now, putting in mind that all my responses and reactions have an effect on my baby. 1 see cause for restraint and modesty.

I have as well grown emotionally intelligent. I realize I am no longer living my life on the edge. My priorities have changed. My new attitude propels me towards friends we share goals with. especially those who are pregnant or have children. From their diverse opinions, I pick those that work for me.
A part from some pressure on my pelvis, which the obstetrician says is normal, my pregnancy is complication-free.

Worst moments
The acne break-out. I felt helpless not being in a position to do anything about it—now that any chemical on your skin my harm the baby. Then someone said that acne signaled I was expecting a baby girl. Then on, it stopped bothering me. if the acne was about my earnest prayer— a girl, it could break all it wanted.

The first trimester saw me moody. I would pick a fight on trivial issues, and my partner was the number one victim. But like I said earlier, I have put on more self control to keep negative traits from affecting my angel.

Support, support, support
I am blessed and spoilt to have such an understanding and patient person in my partner, Michael Chavanga. He never tires of my constant grumblings. It sometimes pains me to think of the misery I have put him through so far—only to get loads of love in return. He has a way of helping me adopt a positive point of view in every problem.

I am greatly indebted by my step-mum, Susan Gachukia, too. She is one in a million. A mother overflowing with love and rare warmth. I am challenged by the never-ending effort she put towards giving of all us a bright future. I believe i was a difficult teenager, but she loved me to bits all the same. From her, I learn the virtues of a loving mother and supportive wife. Other than the strong mum-daughter relationship, we are very close friends. And now that I’m expectant, our communication has grown to another level. I am forever grateful for her inspirational pearls of wisdom.

She was delighted when she learnt I was expectant. That means a lot to me.

My grandmother is also a great friend. Her concern on my whereabouts is never-ending. She has even asked to come over and nurture us, as soon as the baby comes.

EDD
It’s around 1st January next year. I would like my elder sister to be my birth partner. We have a special bond. I believe this will make it stronger.

Preparing
We have moved to a bigger house to give the baby her well deserved space. I am out to decorate the nursery and have a compound for her thorough play.

I have also been looking around for kindergartens that have play-schools because I want her to join one when she is at least two. I know this is way too early but it never hurts to plan in advance. I want her to acquire social skills and an early broad exposure—thus the school idea.

Parting Shot
Pregnancy is a big deal, and there is a lot to learn about it. One would hardly say they are ready for a baby—even if they have been there before. We just take it a day at a time.

But generally speaking, the decision to have another being with the Kibukosya blood, is the best thing that ever happened.

Something for my birthday

There ore special things that fall so squarely into your desires that you can almost swear to be divine. Mandeep Sound’s started out that perfectly. There has been more to that though. Pregnant listened to her.

I have always wished to share a birthday with my child, that is, 20 December—or at least have it somewhere around mine. Two and half years down our marriage, April this year, I discovered I was five weeks pregnant. The doctor’s confirmation was surprising and exciting, especially the fact that we were having our baby in December!

Trying times
I did not escape morning sickness. A rigorous affair that was. And before I adjusted to my body’s weird behaviour, my skin exploded with crazy excruciating bumps—chicken pox! Everything was slowed down. Morning sickness, chicken pox. the baby on the way—all being a new experience made my first trimester a very trying time. At some point I wasn’t sure it’d all be over. But my cooperation with the great team of doctors that had me under detailed supervision, things started looking up. And my baby and I sailed through unscathed.

Best moments
The second trimester. The relief from morning sickness and the chicken pox was too remarkable to go unmentioned. Now, my being ‘in the family way’ has been so easy that I sometimes forget I am pregnant, until my baby moves, Oh I love the kicks.

I am as well grateful that mood-swings are a far away ideology to me. For some reason I can’t put a finger on. I have become more calm and accommodating. It’s amazing. Most of what I know about pregnancy is that it makes you abhor people. I am now more sociable than ever.

As days go by…
I find most support in my husband and my mother-in-law. My mother-in-law, who lives with us, is a great friend. She is right in step with my pregnancy and keeps all the 411 of expectancy going. That makes me feel very secure.

I still pray for the baby to come four days earlier than the EDD—24 December. It will be the best birthday present.

I am making arrangements on staying at home with the baby for quite some time—longer than the usual three months leave. I want to avail the perfect mother’s love during my child’s most delicate time in life.

Hindu culture
Hahaha. No rituals are performed when one is expecting—at least not that I know of. But once a mother gets her baby, some rituals are done in the temple to bless the baby’s arrival, and to celebrate the mother for going through the difficult process like a warrior. I look forward to the day.

END:PG27/18-23