It all began with intense stomach pains that I couldn’t understand. Without a mother or sister to confide in, I turned to my partner, wondering if I might have fibroids. The pain was unbearable one evening, so we decided to visit a local clinic. Though the doctor wasn’t available, we found a nurse who listened to my symptoms and asked about my last period. That’s when it hit me—I could be pregnant. He gave me some painkillers and suggested returning the next day when the doctor was in.
As soon as we left, my partner and I decided to buy pregnancy tests to confirm. Back at home, I took the first test, and it was positive. To be sure, I took another, and it, too, was positive. The realization was overwhelming, yet it marked the beginning of a life-changing journey.
The pregnancy flew by, and before I knew it, I was 36 weeks along, attending weekly clinics. On one particular visit, I decided to have an additional scan to check on the baby, even though the midwife assured me everything seemed fine. After waiting over two hours for the physician, he finally arrived. During the scan, he took longer than usual to find the heartbeat, which filled me with dread. When we finally heard it, I felt a wave of relief wash over me.
However, the physician’s worried expression persisted. After completing the scan, he left the room with my clinic book, and when he returned, the midwife’s notes had been updated to read “refer to main hospital.” He explained that my baby was significantly smaller than expected for that stage of pregnancy. Concerned, he suggested we visit his private clinic for a more advanced ultrasound at no cost.
At his private practice, the scan revealed an issue with the placenta, which he identified as Intrauterine Growth Restriction (IUGR). He stressed the urgency of the situation and advised us to go to the hospital immediately for induction, as it was a miracle the baby was still surviving.
At the hospital, the nurses began by checking if I was dilated, despite my explanation of the IUGR diagnosis. It was one of the most uncomfortable experiences I had ever endured. Once admitted to the maternity ward, they attached monitors to track the baby’s vitals and kept a close eye on me throughout the night. By morning, the doctor informed me that a C-section was necessary to ensure the baby’s safety, as an induction could stress the baby and impact her brain.
That afternoon, I was prepped for surgery. Overwhelmed with worry, I focused on praying for a successful delivery. The C-section went smoothly, and my baby girl was born. I remember hearing her strong cries as the doctors commented on how resilient she must have been after enduring the harsh conditions in the womb. She was immediately taken to the NICU because of her low birth weight, and I didn’t get to hold her right away.
When I woke up later that evening, I was relieved to hear that she was doing well, though she needed monitoring in the NICU. The experience, while difficult, taught me so much about motherhood. I learned that being a mother is about resilience, adaptability, and trusting in the process, even when things don’t go as planned. Most importantly, I leaned on faith, knowing that despite the challenges, we were both given the strength to overcome them.
Motherhood is not always what we envision, but it’s a journey of love, sacrifice, and endless growth. My story is just the beginning of this incredible adventure, and I am grateful for every lesson it has taught me.