On Friday morning, the 21st of February, I woke up at 6 AM to prepare for what I was quite certain would be the last prenatal check-up before finally giving birth. It was a check-up after all, so I was pretty sure I would come back the same day. I called Karabo, my niece, informing her that I will be around Polokwane and will pick her and Koki (my nephew) up for lunch later in the afternoon after my doctor’s appointment. After eight months, you’re expected to pack and keep your hospital bag with you – you never know when and where you will give birth, so it’s best to stay prepared. Into the boot, my hospital bag went. Something told me that I should also take my birthing ball with just in case. I remember Mbali’s dad looking at me like I was a mad woman while I was deflating the ball. Cool, all packed and we were ready to go.
During that week, I remember experiencing some mild cramps. I dismissed them as Braxton Hicks contractions – I was getting a lot of those in the 8th month, so nothing out of the ordinary there. On Wednesday, the 19th of February, I thought I was sweating like crazy down there. Or was I peeing? I don’t know, it had to be one of the two. I was doing the usual grocery shopping when it happened. I was so confused. Why would I suddenly pee on myself? But it didn’t feel like pee, so maybe I’m just sweating – it was a hot afternoon after all. At that moment, I didn’t think that maybe that was a sign that my water broke a little. Remember, pregnancy brain was really doing a number on me, so my thinking was not a 100%. I called baby daddy to tell him about it. He asked if he should take me to the hospital, but I said no because I was feeling fine. I was expecting my waters to break the way they do in the movies, so I was pretty adamant that I would not be going to any hospital until that happened.
On Thursday, the 20th, I went to work as usual. I was feeling great. My ladies from work threw a surprise baby shower for me after work. It was awesome. We were dancing and laughing. There was food, lots and lots of it. I was having so much fun that I forgot about the grocery store incident. At some point, we were even talking about reports that we needed to update and I was so confident that I would be back at work on Monday to do my part. Monday, because I was out-of-office on Friday for my usual doctor’s appointment. I genuinely did not think that I would be a mother by the time Monday arrived. I had some three weeks left before my due date, so I thought I still had some time left. I was planning on taking leave the following Friday. Anyway, I went to bed feeling great that Thursday evening.
Friday came and we set off to the OB-GYN. It’s a two hour drive. Halfway through the trip, I got some really bad cramps. So bad I had to recline the seat and lay on my side. Baby daddy was like “I’m calling the doctor!”. I said no, we were halfway there anyway. We get there and find a long queue as usual. Luckily, I packed some fruit which help calm the cramps a bit. I called my babies to confirm that I’m around and will be seeing them soon for our lunch date. Eventually, the time to see the doctor arrives. “We’re almost there!”, he exclaimed and I smiled and said “Yes!”.
Doctor: “Anything out of the ordinary lately?”
Me: “Not really, except that I had really bad cramps on the way here but I feel much better now.”
Doctor: “Your body is preparing you for D-day.”
Mbali’s dad: “Tell him about the grocery store incident.”
Me: “Oh yes, the other day I saw two clear liquid streams trickle down my thighs. I thought it was pee (my bladder is under a lot of
pressure after all), or sweat. But now, I’m not too sure.
Doctor: “Let’s have a look.”
Doctor: “Your amniotic fluid is draining and you are in labour. I’m admitting you. You’re going to give birth.”
