INTERESTING READ: My Labour Story by Anita

As shared by our friend Anita, Enjoy! :-)

I woke up on the morning of Jan 8 2015, after a very troubled tiring sleep during which my baby kicked and turned all night! In retrospect, i believe he was adjusting into the birthing position.
So... I woke up... and had to use the bathroom But I was wet. So I thought to myself, "Who would have thought I would pee on myself at night???" I chuckled to myself as I remembered other mom stories of how they had pee on themselves. But this wasn't pee! No sire! My water had broken.

RECIPE FOR PREGNANCY

Hello,
As I earlier promised, I will share some of the foods I was able to eat during pregnancy.

Early pregnancy I fell in love with boiled white rice but it was a romance that didnt last long. Soon my love for rice was replaced by an intense dislike for it and I couldnt stand the smell of food such as rice, stew, indomie et al. It did get better at the end tho.

As I have earlier said, all pregnancies are not the same so you may totally find you do not like my food choices when pregnant. Although I am yet to find a pregnant woman who didnt like yam.

Yam was my favourite and I never tired of it. I ate it with dodo (ripe & over ripe plantain), pekere (unripe plantain), Akara (fried bean balls) and ketchup mixed with salad cream or mayo since I couldnt stand stew.

The recipe I have for you is different, you may wish to try it (pregnant or not).

AFRICAN SALAD (ABACHA)

Ingredients include:

PREGNANCY: WHAT TO EXPECT MONTH 1 TO 9 (I INCLUDED MY EXPERIENCE)

Hello,

Every pregnancy is different but my experience may help you a great deal. I also have great pleasure sharing my experience with you. Feel free to contact me personally if you have questions or just need to assure yourself all is well with you and the baby. (pearlokoli@gmail.com)

I would also reply your comments and questions on this platform. Happy Reading!

Month One: You barely notice

I did not know I was pregnant but I noticed my skin became extra sensitive and my face was no longer clear (smooth). It was my graduation month and I was in the UK but I did not shop because I had no idea (maybe a tad lil feeling).

Month two: Some are still unaware and some other begin to feel unwell

I started to experience heavy eyes and feel a little unwell towards the beginning and excruciating stomach pains toward the end

Month Three: Majority already know, they get the symptoms. Boy! it is not Fun

This month was much like the second month only worse. I could not stand the smell of most foods. The stomach pain had me going for scans. I had to stop work

Some people are filled with strength and are relatively okay during their pregnancy. Just so you know, I envy them too and please do not judge me for having to quit my job (hahaha).

If you are just like me, it is okay to feel unwell and get tired easily when you are pregnant, do not mind naysayers

Month Four: Symptoms persist (A few get respite)

I decided to seriously pursue radio as I had worked as a radio presenter and disc jockey (DJ) in Ujima radio, Bristol (UK).

I first started 'guesting' Inspiration FM on the Friday Night Mix with Charles Dallas where I met wonderful people like Wanawana, Eyo Henry but this time I wanted my own gig. *smile*

I also was on Top radio platform joining Tosyn Bucknor's morning show (I know, you did not hear me almost at all *smile*). I did not have it nice here. *hehehe* I have come to conclude that it was my pregnancy and not that she was a rude choleric

Long story short, at 5 months plus pregnant, I realised I could not continue and took a long health break.

Month Five: More people get respite (but not me, phew!)

Now at home, I had gotten used to being cranky (when you are pregnant, those around you dont just get it... trust me, your partner may be empathetic but he would not still gerrit).

I suffered major dizzy & fainting spells and scares because most food smelled to me. I could only eat sharwama, yam, akara and traditional classics (those types of 'not everyday' meals) such as Okpa, African salad, nkwobi et al)

Let me stop here for today, I will continue from month six next and probably give you the recipe to these traditional classics in subsequent posts.

Always a pleasure to have you here, 

PEARL.