My Honeymoon Baby

Painless childbirth is many pregnant women’s desire. But there are exceptions. Naomi Murage desires a natural childbirth, where she will get to feel the pangs of labour before entering the joyful world of motherhood. She tells Elizabeth Ombati how pregnancy has brought immense courage and strength into her world.

The happiness I felt on my wedding day is still with me—when it happened l knew it was the best thing that could ensue. And when I look at my bulging tummy, I can only marvel at the satisfaction that has come with marriage.

After six years of dating, my husband Bernard and I were joined together last year through a traditional Kikuyu wedding ceremony, Ngurario. As newly weds, we wondered what we could do to make our honeymoon memorable. The choice was not hard. I threw caution to the wind and stopped using contraceptives, and three months down the line, we had a soul in waiting.

Pregnancy

Preparing for the baby has been a delicate task for we want to make sure everything is ready upon the baby’s arrival.

Before I got pregnant, I went for a pap smear to rule out chances of cervical cancer. Thankfully I found out I had no traces of cancer.

I started using folic acid, which is recommended for the development of a baby’s spinal cord and brain, a development that happens in the first three months of conception. The doctor also informed me that it also helps curb deformities.

After the first trimester the going got bumpy. I noticed a strange coloured vaginal discharge one day after dinner but I ignored it and went to sleep. But later on in the night, with my instincts alert and my head full of worry. I woke up to visit the bathroom and I realized I was bleeding. I was horrified and I knew it was risky to bleed at this time, the baby not fully developed meaning, he could be coming out. It was pacifying to have my husband by my side.

My cervix was intact according to the doctor’s diagnosis. Somehow, the bleeding just stopped and when I spoke to my gynaecologist, he could not see what might have caused the bleeding. He however reassured me that the baby was safe.

Falling down

l carried on the pregnancy well till I was about seven months gone, when I fell breaking my leg. I had just alighted from a matatu and was walking towards my house. The flat shoes I was wearing lost their grip and I found myself down, sitting on my ankle. The pain was head-splitting, but my baby’s startled kicks soon after the thud somehow countered the pain.

I checked into hospital and the doctors determined that my baby was okay. They put a cast on my foot, citing a fracture. I have this gut feeling that the baby will be earlier. My EDD falls on 10th September 2008, or am just  too eager to become a mother!

I have become stronger now and I pray to have a normal delivery, and cannot wait to feel the pain of having my baby make its way to this world. I intend to deliver my child in the way nature intended. This is because I want to have my baby in the fashion that will permanently etch my life with no sedative.

END:PG16/18