The Love in me

Ann Wanjiru knows pregnancy can be complicated. The ‘normal’ days may be marked with sick mornings and moody afternoons. The laughter may be crowded by tears of an unknown tomorrow. The comfort may be distracted by painful cramps. But the joy of a coming baby makes all the difference. She lets Elizabeth Ombati into her experience.

Tough first trimester
The first trimester was exceptionally difficult. I had so much pain on one of my pelvic sides that I could barely walk. My care giver had actually thought it could turn out to be an ectopic pregnancy. So after the scans confirmed it was normal pregnancy, my partner and I (previously a bunch of nerves) sighed sweet relief, sending God unending thanks. Medication thereafter saw the pain lift away. But the morning sickness decided it would not budge. I had to call it Every Time Sickness!

I threw up everything I ate. I was not able to work due to frequently passing out. Often times I had to be taken to hospital where I would get an injection so as to sleep. I lost 10kgs. This worried my doctors so much they had to administer treatment for nausea and give me something to bolster my appetite.

The sickness was so rigorous, it made my job a casualty. I was managing a cab company, which had branches in Nairobi and Mombasa thus entailing a lot of travel-something that was now a no-no. I ended up resigning, and joined my husband, David Njoroge, in his computer engineering and data consultation firm.

Following the various complications, my antenatal visits have been more intense. Scans too had shown that I had a low lying placenta and I was advised to take things easy. The placenta is now in its right position.

I have become more emotional since the pregnancy and small things tick me off and can turn me into a teary monster. My husband, thankfully, is very understanding. He makes a point of bringing me a black forest cake to help settle my volatile nature. I have no cravings so far. The black forest is just my partner’s idea. As much as I have always had a sweet tooth, it is the gesture that mostly does the magic.

Boy or girl?
We do not know the sex of the baby yet. My husband insists that he wants it to be a surprise. I have bought unisex baby stuff mostly in white.

Family and friends by my side

My family is as expectant as I am. My sisters and brother cannot wait to see the baby who they already claim to be theirs! I have come to appreciate the presence of friends and family. There were times I never felt like seeing the sun. I wanted to remain in my bed but they have been by my side, urging me on.

When I get the qualms about the on coming labour and the delivery, my husband is quick to reassure and goes on to promise many nice things, that is, if I purposed to put fear in the bin-where it belongs-and face the inevitable, because I can. Hahaha. Sometimes my hubby sounds like he is talking to a little girl. Very amusing., but it works.

I desire a normal delivery because I am likely to get back on my feet faster. I am left with a few days to my EDD. Would I go through this again? I would. Of course the answer would have been different if the question was posed during my first trimester! The minutes are ticking by the day and I am soon going to be a mother. That erases all pain and anxiety; It makes me fall in love again with the person inside my belly. Whoever said love is bitter sweet could not have been more accurate.

END: PG20/22-23