SHORT STORY: CHANGE

            “You and your baby are going home today, Tabitha. Aren’t we glad?” Dr. Tablus asked me cheerily.

            Yes, I was. This was my first pregnancy and it had taught me a lot of interesting things, the last of which has changed my perspective about having children forever. I had a smooth pregnancy, I mean, no morning sickness, no loss of appetite, no crazy cravings, I had that pregnancy glow which made many people compliment me every time. I was strong; I could walk the distance and carry loads that were safe for pregnancy. I only went to the hospital when my antenatal visit was due. Everything was great until my due date came. And passed. And I had still not delivered.

            I remember my midwife recommending a hospital stay until I had delivered, which I had been against. I mean, if my baby was ready to be born, my body would be set in motion, wouldn’t it? I had gone home to my husband who, to my utter shock, packed me out of our apartment and drove me straight to the maternity block of Central Hospital, dumped me there (literally), and left me to book me in. He had practically warned me to stay there until I had a baby to return home with.

            I tried to rationalize with him. He had been through more than a lot with me for this one. Sometimes, he had seemed more pregnant than I was! When I was ill, he was ill as well. Two weeks to my estimated date of delivery, he had appeared very anxious. I could not wince without him rushing to my side to inquire if all was well. It made sense if he packed me out when I returned home that day. As maters will have it, the midwives on duty got me a bed and checked my vitals. I was not going home till I had had my baby.

            The following morning when the doctor, Tablus came around for his ward rounds, he spent a considerable amount of time poring over my folder. “Tabitha. That’s an interesting name, wouldn’t you agree?” he smiled. He had a warm smile which elicited a responding smile from me too. “Have you felt your baby kick yet?” When I responded in the negative, he went back to reading my folder. Finally, to be sure everything was okay, he ran an ultrasound scan. Then the verdict: “My dear, it appears you have a big baby. Considering your cervix and abdomen, I fear you might encounter complications if you choose SVD and you will subsequently have to undergo cesarean section.” At that, my countenance changed. “However, you can choose to undergo cesarean section now and within two hours you’ll have your precious baby in your arms. We will avoid any seen or unforeseen complications too. What do you say?”

            I was speechless. Cesarean section? Equal to operation? Equal to surgery? “Dr. Tablus, I’m not sure I cannot go through the natural process of delivery. Doesn’t the birth canal open naturally to allow a baby of any size out? Besides, don’t women with multiple pregnancies deliver naturally?”

            “They do.” Dr. Tablus said calmly. “Like I said earlier, you can choose the SVD. With that, you will have to be induced to initiate contractions. You may be in labour for twelve hours or more. Also, if you encounter any complication, you will go through emergency surgery, by which time you will be very exhausted…” “Don’t scare me, Doctor.” I cut in.

            “It’s not my aim to scare you. I’m giving you your options.”

            “Can I think about it?” I asked.

            “Sure, but you don’t have much time. Your baby’s fetal heartrate has dropped considerably, and your blood pressure read quite high.

            “I don’t have much of an option now, do I?” When he shook his head, I had to concede. “Okay Doctor. Get me ready for it.”

            Dr. Tablus had then called the midwife on duty to get me ready for the theatre. She did not appear judgmental of my decision as I thought she might have. After all, I was one of those who believed strongly that to have a cesarean section, the woman must have a good medical reason such as her age being thirty-five years or older, multiple babies, or complications for which reason she could not push. Other than these reasons, any woman who chose CS was just a lazy one who has chickened out of the ‘difficult life process’. When I told her of these thoughts, she laughed merrily. “It’s a misconception about cesarean section. True, we recommend CS for women above age 35 years and those with high-risk pregnancies but it’s not a sin, neither is it an indicator of a deformity. Any pregnant woman can have cesarean section. The benefits of cesarean section include you can choose the date you want to deliver (after 38 weeks), there’s no need to undergo several hours of labour and pushing, and you get to hold your baby much earlier and faster.” She then smiled and asked me to relax as she inserted a catheter. Soon, she was wheeling me into the theatre. I had been a bundle of nerves as the anesthetist explained why he had to inject a drug into my spine (so that I will feel no pain during the procedure).

            When the anesthetist stepped aside, I screamed, “I can’t feel my legs!” He then burst out with laughter and explained that it was an indication that the drug was working and the surgery could proceed. Dr. Tablus then began his work and within a short period, in my drowsy state, I heard the first faint cry. As I lay there on the operation table, I was filled with gratitude for the health workers on duty and when my baby was laid on me, my joy knew no bounds. Finally! I was a mother at last. I could feel myself smiling throughout the stitching till I got to the ward where my precious baby was sleeping soundly in his crib. The next thing was to focus on healing very fast which led to this day.

            As the nurses worked on my discharge bill, I wondered what would have happened had I insisted on having my baby naturally. The baby could have died. I could have died. But we’ll never know now, will we? Right now, I have my baby in my arms, ready to go home to my husband, a changed woman for life.

THE END.