My ‘little’ co-operative associate

As Lawrence and Sally Ng’ang’a celebrate their first wedding anniversary, they tell Rebecca Njoki about the resulting blessing.

This pregnancy has given me extraordinary energy. I have never experienced any low moment. My liveliness has surprised people because many have the idea that a pregnant woman is laid back, bored and grumpy. I am not anywhere near that. Maybe a bit of grumpiness and my hubby is the victim—I will make it up to him. So you will find me bouncing away to the market or diligently going about light house chores.

Great Moments
My baby’s little kicks excite me. A close lady friend had told me that a baby starts kicking at four months of pregnancy. When this did not happen. I panicked and called her. She told me to hold on for at least a month and if the kick still does not happen then I make a point of seeing my doctor. A month later. I started feeling butterflies moving in my stomach. It was a nice flutter. Now the baby kicks so hard sometimes it hurts—a pain that I could never trade for anything else in the world.

Unsettling Moments
There are those moments that unsettle even the strongest willed pregnant women. My husband was usually at the receiving end of my bad moods because at times I would not want to see or talk to him. He would come to the house and I would snub him. Luckily, he understood and he stood by me. I also disliked a workmate for a long time over no major rift. This act made me unhappy. Fortunately she understood me and with time we became friends again.

Work and my Bulge
The toll of working has somehow managed to catch up with me as at five months. I started bleeding and got severe backaches. The doctor told me that I was overworking myself and I needed to rest to which I obliged, albeit with a heavy heart.

My work as a beautician requires me to bend while attending to a client. That is on exercise that became hard and as I was approaching my seventh month I took an early leave.

Otherwise
Carrying the pregnancy has not given me many challenges. My legs do cramp when I get tired and to relieve the pain. I warm water and massage my legs after which I feel very relaxed. My husband and friends treat me exceptionally and this has given me an easy time.

What’s in a Name?
Shopping for me was not only for baby clothes but for baby names too. I started doing that at two months I had chosen Tania or Shanel for a girl, and Shawn or Jeremy for a boy. I asked for my friends to vote for the name they loved. Jeremy and Shanel won. Now that I know I am expecting a boy. I will call him Jeremy.

Birth
My husband is my intended birth partner. The hospital bill has already been taken care of and I am opting for natural delivery unless the doctor advises otherwise. Labour pains give me the qualms though. I am also nursing fears about the complications that are common during delivery. However, I have purposed to remain optimistic.

END: PG19/29