No anxiety for me
When Wayne Zowe, my first son was almost three, I decided it was time to have another baby. It took me almost a year to conceive, hence in November when I realised I was expectant there was reason to celebrate. I was even happier because a second child, according to our tradition, would be named after my parents, and I had wanted that.
Memorable days
It was on my first ultrasound when the doctor announced that I was expecting a baby boy. At first I expected my son to throw tantrums or sulk because he had been saying that we are expecting his baby sister. But I oriented him into accepting that he would be having a brother and now he has warmed up to the idea and talks of how he will be around to assist me look after him.
No injections for me please!
Wayne as a baby had eczema which cost me a lot, emotionally and financially, as I sought a cure. Some of our relatives even advised me to seek traditional medication and dress him in red to reduce the skin infection, but we declined since our parents are against cultural practises. A relative who is a doctor advised me that since the disease is congenital, it could have been an allergy reaction towards injections given to me when I was pregnant with him. This time I am not getting any injections and am taking the herbal nutritional supplements.
Tumbling down
I was four months pregnant when I fell. I was trying to pick food from a cupboard and I stepped on a jerry can. It slid while I was still up and I went tumbling down with it. It was painful. To make matters worse I had to wait for three days before I could access a hospital since where I was living was far. My heart settled when the ultrasound scan was finally done and it was confirmed that my baby was alright, though I had stomach acid and swollen feet. I was given remedy and instructions for a few days’ bed rest and it subsided.
Comparison
My body weight has increased more this time as compared to the time when I was pregnant with Wayne. I am also more cheerful and slow to anger. Actually pregnancy softens and calms me. Just before I had Wayne. I shopped early, had my hospital bag packed and I was quite anxious about labour. Now I am relaxed because I know what to expect come my due date. To date I have not finished shopping for him and have not packed the hospital bag.
Oh…the support
My husband offers constant support and I always count on his presence during my postnatal visits. He asks the doctor more questions than I do. He also calls at least several times a day to check on our progress, especially now that I am on a four-day bed rest. My mother sends flour for porridge every week so that baby and I do not go hungry. My mother in-law has been a darling, always there for me when I need advice. When Wayne was born, she stayed with us for two months, showing me how to take care of a newborn. That time. I did not have a house-help and she was a tremendous helping hand. This time, she has promised to stay for at least a month since l have a house-help.
END: PG25/21