Pinky Ghelani-Belly woes and hearty joys
I am 22 weeks pregnant, that is, six months gone- past half mark. For some reason though, it seems like a long way to go. I feel like I have hit what a runner would call ‘the wall’-when he is doing his best in a long distance race and suddenly feels he just cannot go any further.
My theory is that God is most definitely special. The process of carrying human life is such a task, I wonder why it was heaped onto one person. I could have happily handed over the duties of being pregnant to my husband at 20 weeks and gone on with business as usual. But the interesting thing is that it is a blessing to be part of God’s wonderful vessels- the feminine anatomy.
That said, 22 weeks down the line, I feel and look my best. The challenges of my first trimester are behind me. Time and again, nonetheless, my hormones still misbehave, but the best thing is that I can just sleep that off and know that the following day will be a good one. Compliments, compliments and compliments of my glow are gushing my way, and I can’t seem to stop having this crazy feeling that I can conquer the world. I love my more defined bump-no longer a belly-pot that makes people think, ‘Go easy on the mandazis lady.’
I’m looking forward to meeting this life growing inside me. The foetal movements have become more frequent. Sometimes, when I stare at my tummy long enough, I swear I can see the little angel move! ‘Yes, and what’s the big deal?’ You may say. I am sure had I not gone through this, I would also have a somewhat indifferent attitude to anyone who says so; because simply put, an inexperienced person cannot just relate!
I remember my five week scan only showing a blob and a heart beat. Fast forward to my 20 week scan, the baby was hiding its face from us (obviously very different from its mother who poses for the least important camera click). It was lovely to ogle at the rest of the features: limbs, ribs-even the spine!
My body is currently undergoing huge changes: stretching, passing gas involuntarily, having appetite swings-and many times I find myself questioning whether things will be the same again. The truth is, no. The important thing, however, is that this being, whose creation I am part of, will be worth the changes. I focus on being a good parent and look forward to someone needing me, in one way or another, as long as I am alive.
Pregnancy; It is hard, it is a real task, but women are delving into it on a daily basis So many people can’t be wrong! Having lost two pregnancies, I am very grateful to have come this far and cannot wait for the next four months to whiz by. I look at my body in the mirror and feel strange to have a bigger belly stare back, but I feel blessed.
END: PG 33 /11