Swelling on the wall of my Uterus
WHEN I was 24 weeks pregnant my doctor asked me to go for an ultrasound scan to assess the development of the baby and to check if all was well. It is during this scan that the radiologist noticed I had a swelling on the wall of my uterus. On further observation he told me that it looked like a fibroid. I was scared! Several questions ran in my mind: what will happen to my baby, will I be able to carry this pregnancy to term?
From the stories I had heard about fibroids and pregnancies, I thought the next thing to happen would be a miscarriage! I was scared that the fibroid might hurt the baby in my womb. I recalled a story a friend of mine had told me about fibroids sometimes causing the loss of a baby and I started trembling. I got so scared that I started imagining the miscarriage was already underway; I was losing my baby!
I prayed to God for protection, telling Him that my baby and I had already bonded well in those 24 weeks. ‘O God,’ I cried to Him, ‘we’ve come a long way together, don’t let me lose my baby.’
From the radiologist I headed straight to my doctor. My mind was flooded with numerous questions; I wanted to know the effect the fibroid would have to my baby, and the probability that I would be able to carry the pregnancy to term. My doctor was a very calm man who reassured me that there was no cause for alarm and pointed out that the fibroid was too small to justify any worry. He must have seen the anxiety in my face and told me there was no need for me to panic as so far the fibroid was not presenting any complications, like bleeding.
His calm demeanor was a source of comfort to me and I started thinking rationally. He ruled that nothing could be done about the fibroid as I was already expecting. He advised that after delivery I should undergo another scan to see if the fibroid had grown further and only then would the doctor advise on the best course of action. Silently, I hoped it would regress so that I would not have to undergo surgery.
What surprised me is that until then, I didn’t know I had the fibroid and never even felt it! That makes it hard for me to tell for how long I had it since it has never posed any threat to my health. Was it there during my first pregnancy? I got my first baby three and a half years ago when I was newly married. Even though it wasn’t planned for, now I felt happy that it came at that moment because I did not know whether this second pregnancy would go the full term.
After our first child, my husband and I had decided that we would have another child once our first born turned one year. We didn’t want to have children too late in life. When my son was one year old I tried getting pregnant but in vain! I wasn’t on any contraceptives and my periods were very regular. I became worried and took a trip to my gynaecologist who allayed my fears and told me to relax.
My husband’s job schedule didn’t make it easier for us either, as he works in Lodwar and his job entails a lot of travel. Sometimes he would come home when I was not ovulating! I must admit that it gets very lonely without him around! Finally it happened. This time round it was easy for me to know that I was pregnant, unlike with my previous pregnancy. By the third week I suspected hat something was not okay with my body because I had headaches and nausea. My husband asked me to go for a pregnancy test which turned positive.
When I delivered our first born, I was lucky because he was around when I went into labour. I woke him up at 5.30 in the morning and told him that I had very serious period-like cramps. I wanted him to help me with my calcium tablets, but he wanted me to explain how I was feeling, in detail. Being a surgeon, he immediately deduced that I was in labour. Initially I argued with him, denying it could be labour pains. Time however proved me wrong as the cramps persisted and the pain increased. By the time I reached hospital l was almost in stage two of labour! Ironically, the labour did not progress well thereafter and I was in pain until around two o’clock in the afternoon. I was in so much pain I couldn’t even cry. I went to the extent of begging the doctors to perform a Caesarean section!
As the doctor predicted, the fibroid had not caused me any trouble and I am looking forward to delivery. I have not checked the sex of the baby as my husband and I decided not to find out. We have suggestions of names for both sexes. At the moment I am grappling with my cravings of fruits. With my first pregnancy I craved mangoes but this time I crave’ pineapples. I dislike strong smells; I can’t stand perfumes and colognes and even air fresheners – they drive me crazy!
My husband hopes to take his leave to be with me when I am delivering the baby. When I was in labour with our first child It I had asked my husband to come to the delivery room with me but he freaked out on me! He says he ran away because he thought I might not cooperate with the doctors and nurses if he was present in the room. This time therefore I am planning on going it alone!
Jackline celebrated safe delivery of her baby on 22 January 2007
PG MAY 07/ 30