Pregnant pilots-love is in the air

Emma unravels to Rebecca Njoki more about their love and its latest effect.

Something had not happened. But I could not put a finger on it. Was it something I was supposed to have done for
my parents, an important event I was supposed to attend, something my partner hadn’t done…? Oh the elusive thing. Then alas! My period. It hadn’t showed up. Day three of its absentia, we began considering the fact that we were likely to make adjustments in our lives. In that regard, my husband and I tumbled to the stores in search of a pregnancy test kit. The results agreed that we had adjustments to make. Two weeks later. The doctor affirmed our results. We were going to have a baby!

It was a peculiar feeling. It was new, yet humbling. Me?! Carrying a baby? It was an honour, to say the least. As much as I knew my life was taking a different turn and there were a few qualms about every detail that comes with pregnancy, some gentle grace caught up with me—even as nausea kicked in.I was surprised to find myself in the group of those who have to watch what I was eating. I remember the nausea would begin  as soon as it noticed my stomach was empty. So I made a point of taking starch, which stays longer in the stomach, to incapacitate the queasiness. Other than that, I had to eat six to seven times a day, something that was despicable before my conception: ask why expectant women add weight… My little bag was always packed with food, just in case (speaking as a pregnant woman), the food being served in the aircraft turns out being repulsive.

And work would go on as usual. At five months pregnant, I had to take a break to attend to some family responsibilities. Otherwise. professionally speaking, I would pilot till I was 26 weeks (six months) gone. Aviation deems that one should stop flying before six months of pregnancy, only when she has complications. A pilot, whether male or female, is required lo be at the peak of their energy levels to fly. Therefore, should you feel fatigued, which can be the case within the first trimester of pregnancy, you are required to catch up with your rest. Personally, I did not need to. The nausea and fatigue spells I experienced were too mild for me to take a break. Actually, they were just a notification that something had changed. Otherwise, I was as fit as a fiddle.

Peanut
The first scan, took the humility I had experienced when I discovered I was pregnant to another level. The little legs, the little hands, the movements were all incredible. It finally hit me that it was true; that I was expecting a baby! I was so emotional.

Mark, my husband, family, friends and I named the baby Peanut, because we do not want to know the sex of the baby yet. I have been talking to Peanut since I realized I was pregnant. Peanut sometimes responds with a kick. What a feeling!
My super-careful sitting and sleeping positions are all for Peanut’s sake. I know the doctor has said the baby is protected in the amniotic sac—and so I should not worry. But I am still so conscious of squashing Peanut’s little head. When I sleep and feel the kick, I consider it that Peanut’s trying to tell me to push over for his or her comfort.

Challenges
Of late, my lower back has been quite un-cooperative, especially when I do house chores or stand for long. My husband being aware of this has offered a generous service of rubbing my back whenever it aches. Before that, I could just not get the most appropriate sleeping position. My doctor cautioned against sleeping on my stomach, a position I have been sleeping in for as long as I can remember. My current big bump, however, gives me no choice but to abide by the doctor’s counsel. Now, sleeping on my side is the obvious comfortable position. It has a result lessened my back problem.

But when it comes to turning, I hove to do it like a wheel. In the process, I wake up often times. At first, it was quite distressful to have beauty sleep disturbed but we discovered a pillow arrangement formula that props me to comfort. There’s something about the between-the-legs-cushion. especially when it is right up to the thighs.

Cravings and dislikes
My cravings last a week. I do not have one constant craving. In the beginning it was oranges and pineapples. Then I had a week of meat pies and I had to buy them at a specific place. Then I was into samosas for a while. Then it was burgers. Now the craving for oranges and pineapples is back and bhajia too. I cannot believe what has happened to chicken which I previously relished. It just does not taste good anymore. Milk is the other thing I haven’t been able to keep down my stomach.

Bizarre
Currently, I have the energy to plough a whole acre. But with the realization that I do not have the body to match that oomph. I resign to my condition and allow my body to do just what it can. Anything beyond that has seen an ache on my notorious lower back or somewhere else. I sometimes wake up with a puffed up face but in an hour’s time, I am thankfully back to myself. I eat like a bird; in small portions but very frequently.

EDD
I have been given two delivery dates. At first, it was 27th of February, and then the last ultrasound indicated the 20th of February. So I am going for one more ultrasound to determine the correct date. I am torn between the C-section and normal delivery. However, I seem to have more inclinations towards C-section. But, weighing both options, I seem to be more settled with C-s. But after all is said and done, the outcome is the baby so it really does not matter how Peanut comes.

Career and motherhood
The antenatal visits are only once a month. So I make the visit when I am not on duty. I also appreciate the fact that the aircraft has me out of town at a maximum of five days only per month. I will stay for the usual 90 days after Peanut is born, then take an extra month of my own before I report to work. I am not really worried about being away since the technology will come in handy for me to know the baby’s progress—phone calls, the internet and the webcam. Well, I am actually putting the situation in God’s hands and resting in the assurance that our parents are more than ready to support us: now that Mark, with whom we are in the same profession, is likely to be away a lot as well.

Arrangements
I have not done much shopping for the baby because I have been preoccupied with other responsibilities. But now that I am settled, I have written down the baby shops recommended by my friends. I cannot wait to check them out. We are moving houses to accommodate our growing family. We are shopping for a qualified nanny as well. The increased housework will be taken care of accordingly to see to it that baby is not deprived of quality attention.

Appreciation
This whole special treatment from everyone around me is very flattering. All of a sudden, people offer to help in every activity. I do not have to queue anywhere!

Last but most important, this pregnancy has kept me absolutely in love with Mark over and over. I do not seem to get enough of him. This Valentine month is confirming LOVE among the three of us.

END: PG19/22-23