Children are a Gift from God - My journey towards motherhood

Even before my journey towards motherhood had started, I knew that it would be challenging. You see, my husband and I both inherited a genetic blood disorder called Alpha Thalassemia (minor) with 2 gene deletions (out of 4), which meant that if we conceive a baby naturally (no medical intervention ie IVF), there is a 1 in 4 chance (25%) that our baby would NOT be compatible with life.

No treatment option is available, and the baby would either be stillborn or will pass away shortly after birth. In summary, the unfortunate baby who receives zero genes from neither one of his/her parents, will not be able to produce red blood cells, which means that the blood is unable to circulate oxygen throughout the body, and ultimately, unable to sustain life.

So with my 1st pregnancy, it was a very trying time emotionally and mentally. On top of dealing with the usual pregnancy changes in my body, I had the added stress of multiple doctor visits and a total of 10 ultrasounds for further monitoring. Carrying this baby around not knowing if I would ever get to hold him alive, and even if he was born alive, will he be healthy? Mentally and emotionally I had to prepare for the worst possible outcome, even though I had faith that this baby would be healthy. There was nothing I could do, all I had was my faith, support from my family, and just taking one day at a time.

Thankfully in May 2016, despite a failed induction, traumatic birth, and emergency caesarian, Ezra was born and he is completely healthy!

Fast forward 15 months later, we decided it was time to expand our little family. However week 6 of my pregnancy, I developed Hyperemesis Gravidarum which is severe morning sickness requiring hospitalisation. I was throwing up 30x per day, unable to keep any fluid or food down, losing weight rapidly, risking my baby’s health. I was in the hospital for 4 days and was put on 7 different medications to help me cope with nausea.

Those were one of my darkest days, and the sickness was so debilitating, I even entertained the thought of not having this baby! Thankfully my morning sickness started to take a turn for the better around 20 weeks, and life started to feel more normal again.

However, in week 33, doctors found that my baby was not growing as well as he should in the womb, and was diagnosed with Intrauterine Growth Restriction (IUGR). I had to have intense monitoring and ultrasounds, and in total had 13 ultrasounds. All these medical issues, on the back of the same fear we had as with Ezra, not knowing if this baby would also be born alive.

We were at risk of prematurity (35 weeks) but we managed to hang on a bit longer and welcomed Jeremiah into our world at 38 weeks in March 2018 via elective caesarian.

This Mother’s Day I am taking the time to reflect and to dedicate it to my 2 boys. They are truly a gift from God, and I want to treasure them with my whole heart. I’m sharing with you my raw and personal journey because I want you to know that my motherhood has not been perfect. Far from it.

Motherhood is a tough journey, and some days it's possible to think about how you would ever get through the day or night and come out alive. Every parent has encountered sleep deprivation at some stage in their parenting. It's been said that a parent loses about 350 hours of sleep in their child’s first year of life!

I am so determined as a mother to give and set my child up for success in every aspect of their life, including in the area of sleep. AND, doing it in a KIND but FIRM way. They deserve nothing but the best, and I am ready to do whatever it takes for my precious boys.

So what’s your story on your journey towards motherhood? Maybe you are still yet to have a baby and long for one? Maybe for you, it took you longer to conceive (many years even!), maybe you lost a couple of babies to miscarriage before you got your miracle baby? Maybe things went perfectly normal and even a great birth experience? Whatever your story is, you are still an amazing mom or mom-to-be. Happy Mother’s Day!

Psalm 127:3 (NLT)
Children are a gift from the Lord;
they are a reward from him.

Get Your Child to Sleep Through the Night Quickly and Easily Without Fuss, Tears, or Frustration

(From You or Your Child!) 

 

Sleeping On Purpose

By: Ruth Tai