Passport To A Healthy Pregnancy

RM and RS, thanks to you… I’m inspired to post about my pregnancy and participate for the first time in a blog event!

I liked RS’s post title – “Is there a sure shot passport to a healthy pregnancy?” I don’t think there is. Just like every baby is unique and no two can be compared, so is pregnancy. I got pregnant at the age of 22. No, it was not an accident. It was very much intended; the last resort Abbas n I had at that time after all failed attempts to get my parents accept our marriage. Inspired by many movies and a few real life experiences, we thought a baby will certainly mend our relationship. Alas! We were wrong!

In the first month of my pregnancy, I heard the news of my grandpa passing away. I called my Dad and heard  the customary bang of the receiver as soon as he heard me sobbing. I went out of my mind and told Abbas that I wanted to go home. He politely made me understand that I would worsen the situation by going there. I was totally lost and numb for the next few days. People around kept on telling me how my baby would be affected if I don’t regain my self. Time sure is the best healer and the show had to go on.

At around 2 and a half months into pregnancy, we discovered that my bump had two tiny beings developing in there. We were on top of the world! We broke the news to family and friends. I got pampered by in-laws and colleagues and of course Abbas. I hogged the limelight wherever I went. I did make good use of all the focus as long as it lasted! At office, whenever there was treat or party or distribution of sweets, I would be given thrice my share. In conference rooms, people would reserve the best seat for me. When colleagues went for tea breaks, they would ask me if I needed something from the petty shop. I always shamelessly demanded Jhuri Bhaja (Sev) from Niluda and later on he brought it for me without even asking. I would call my female cubicle mates whenever I got kicked in the bump to feel my babies in the initial stage. They would rejoice with me too. Abbas used to massage my bump every night (did not skip a single day) and my kids used to jump in joy at their Baba’s touch. (Yes, seriously the movements were vigorous during massage). Thanks to him I do not have any stretch marks even though I sported a humongous bump. I have written more about it here. Somehow, every person around me seemed to contribute in making my pregnancy a happy one (or was it my perception?). I missed my family every millisecond as I do even now. But I had learnt to live in the present and keep hopes alive for the future.

I almost daily ate Churmur, Alu Kabli, Phuchka while on the way back home. I ate my lunch at fast food joints, makeshift restaurants on streets, and anything that evaded the category of healthy. I puked on eating healthy food. Perhaps my kids loved junk food too! But I religiously consumed all the medicines I was prescribed. And I was always on my toes both at home and at work only till the doc prescribed complete bed rest at 33^rd week, which again I diligently followed. Thanks to Ma who took back the kitchen over from me and even served me meals at bed.

I received many free of cost advices on do’s and dont’s from mothers of which most were ignored. But when a few of them bothered me, I consulted my doc. He said “Beta! Women, by the virtue of being mothers will advise you so many things. Just listen to your inner self.” That is what I did. I was asked to wear a holy thread which had a worshipped piece of iron. It was supposed to keep all evil vibes away from me. I firmly said that I did not believe in it. Ma got to know that reciting some “Sura” (sort of mantra) would make the babies intelligent. Ma knew I would decline had she offered teaching me the Sura. So she said, you just have to sit for some time and lemme recite it aloud in front of you. I declined it anyway. I could have perhaps done it once for her, but I knew it would become a daily affair then.

When I look back at what I have written, I do not know whether this post qualifies to even participate coz I have just written my experience here. Lemme jot down a few pointers and readers, please lemme know if I should send it to the WW contest or not. (Honest opinions please)

1. Listen to your body and heart.
2. Trust your doctor and follow his/her instructions religiously.
3. Enjoy the privileges and pampering while they last.
4. Read pregnancy related books to know what’s happening within you and what to expect soon.
5. Most important of all is “Be happy!”.