Remember when we asked you to send in essays discussing how 2018 was for you? Because, you know, writing can be the best therapy. And sharing your joy and pain and all the emotions you’ve felt through the year can only be a good thing.
For Ms B, 2018 was a year her name and story changed. She’s so grateful and wants everyone to know.
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I was doing some end of year spring cleaning recently and I came across a receipt from a popular medical scan centre in Ikeja. It was for a trans-vaginal scan and it cost ₦5,000. I smiled while recollecting the procedure, not because it was particularly memorable, but because at some point, it was a way of life for me. HSG, Pelvic scans, hydrotubation, etc., were a few of the procedures I underwent. I wonder now why I kept the receipts.
For the first two years of my marriage, I didn’t get pregnant. And for anyone who has experienced any degree of infertility, doctors’ visits, scans, injections, drugs are a regular part of the journey. For me, all that changed in 2017, when I became a mum to the most boisterous, cutest and smartest little boy ever. How it happened is still a surprise because at that point, I was off all medications and just trying to stay healthy in case I had to go for assisted reproduction measures.
However, I started 2018 with a lot of uncertainty and trepidation. There were new corners to manoeuvre right from the 1st day of January. I was resuming work after maternity leave, I didn’t know where I was going to keep my four-month-old baby for the period I was at work. We were moving houses and location, I just didn’t know how I was going to grasp the leap from stay at home mum to working mummy. I took the bull by the horn though, and resumed in the 1st week of January.
A friend offered to look after my baby at her home rather than going the crèche or nanny route, and what a relief that was. A few days later we moved fully into our new home and started getting used to the environment. And to crown it all up, my hubby got me a car to cope with the whole Lagos transport and baby movement life.
Work-wise, things were not so great, but it was manageable. I got to close from work two hours earlier than usual as a nursing mother, so that made the transition so much easier.
I wasn’t exclusively breastfeeding, but it was still a surprise when Aunt Flo showed up immediately the baby clocked six months. Though, interestingly, because I had read that nursing a baby is not a trusted contraceptive method, we had been careful enough to use protection when necessary. However, once Aunt Flo returned, we threw caution to the wind and as much as we weren’t actively trying to get pregnant, it was anticipated. And exactly nine months after the first, I conceived again. It was turning out to be an interesting 2018 already.
I had mixed feelings about the pregnancy, but one thing that was unshaken was my attitude of gratitude. I mean, the same me who had trouble getting pregnant for two whole years, was now pregnant consecutively, 2017 and 2018!
I knew I would get some side-comments and snide looks, especially from colleagues who would wonder if my only goal was getting pregnant every year. But very few people knew my story and I sincerely did not give two hoots about any negativity. All I cared about was navigating the whole pregnant mummy to a toddler dynamics.
I got a maid. My baby started crèche at 1 year old and with support from my hubby and less pressure from the office, I’ve been managing my life just okay.
2018 brought so many good things into my life but not without some challenges along the way, especially health wise for my folks, and financial issues and loss of some extended family members, but still I stand and praise. One major challenge I faced was a growing distance between my spouse and I. We communicated less and seemed to just be co-existing for much of the year despite all the goodness which trailed us. For 2019, I definitely want to do and be better in my relationship (tips welcome).
My God has been awesome to me. He has changed my name and my story and I cannot but be grateful. This is just to encourage someone out there waiting for something special. Know that this God is not in any way partial, and you will also testify even before this year-end or in the New Year as He pleases. He is the same yesterday, today and forever. Selah
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Read up on previous editions of BN 2018 Epilogues here and send in your essays to features(at)bellanaija(dot)com. Let us know all the twists and turns and successes 2018 came with. Send your mail with the title “2018 Epilogues.”
The post #BN2018Epilogues: Ms B is Grateful & Happy and Wants to be Better appeared first on BellaNaija - Nigeria breaking & top news to the World 24/7. Read Today.
