I prevailed over placenta abnormality
Caroline Ng’ang’a started bleeding at 16 weeks of her pregnancy and wondered if she would carry it to term. The proud mother of three shares the lows and highs of her motherhood journey.
Caroline Gathoni Ng’ang’a had had two smooth pregnancies and deliveries. So when she got pregnant for the third time four years ago, she wasn’t prepared for the complications that arose.
“My third pregnancy, while easy to begin with, turned into a nightmare at 16 weeks when I was diagnosed with placenta previa,” she begins.
Placenta previa occurs when a baby’s placenta partially or totally covers the mother’s cervix — the outlet of the uterus.
“The diagnosis got me scared and nervous. I wondered if I could carry the pregnancy to term, but tried to remain positive,” says Caroline.
Caroline, who works as a Kindergarten teacher decided to adhere to the treatment and conditions given to her by her doctor.
“I was put on medication and restricted from doing strenuous work. I was not put on complete bed rest hence I was able to go to work, but needed to be extra careful,” she says.
At nine months, her son Arthur Ng‘ang’a was born weighing 3.2 kilogrammes.
After birth, she nearly died due to excessive bleeding. “I never thought I would make it out of hospital.
But God was faithful and gave me a second chance to live,” says Caroline.
Family joy
According to Caroline, Arthur has grown into a bubbly boy who has brought joy and life to their family and to anyone he comes across with.
“I just bless God that He gave me another chance to be a mother to my children and a wife to my husband, Willie Kimani Karanja.
My firstborn, Angela, is now 10 years old; Alpha is five while Arthur is three,” she says.
For Caroline, despite the challenges faced in bringing forth life, motherhood has been a fantastic experience.
“It has brought out the strong side of me that I dint know of before I became a mum.
There are many responsibilities that come with motherhood. Personally, I have to juggle in between work, being a student, wife and a mother.
All these can be overwhelming at some point hence I always try to spare some time for myself,” she says.
She says raising children in this generation calls for mothers to be hands-on since the society keeps on evolving each and every day.
She offers: “Nowadays, children have access to so much information from different sources and platforms such that if they are not properly handled and guided, some of this information can mislead them.
Children as young as my three-year-old Arthur have knowledge that I myself didn’t have when I was at the age of 10. That’s why today’s kids need a lot of parental guidance.”
As she brings up her children, Caroline says she has employed several parenting tips such as respect for all, whether young or old and loving God. She opines: “I am my children’s best friend.
I take time to talk to them about proper and improper touches and I teach them never to keep any secrets from me or their dad.
I do encourage them to talk their mind out without any fear, but to never forget their manners.”
She adds: “I strive to teach my children to believe in themselves and not let other people’s opinions make them lose their self-worth.”
Every moment count
During this period when they have been home after schools closed due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Caroline says she had to plan a schedule for them, just to keep them busy and engaged.
“I have a planned schedule for them every day from Monday to Friday. I have incorporated both books and craft and creative activities.
Angela has been working on her fashion skills by designing different clothes using different fabrics while the boys have been learning how to make different items using some locally available materials at home.
They also have a kitchen garden, which they have been taking care of,” explains Caroline.
After her frightening experience with placenta previa, Caroline felt the need to help other pregnant women facing similar situations.
“I have been getting chances to pray and stand with women who at some point were almost giving up and thought they will not make it out of hospital with their babies.
I share with them my story and how I delivered a healthy baby and they get the courage to push through,” she shares.
Her advice to parents? “Enjoy every moment with your child (ren), every milestone because there is a time you will wish to have them around, but they will be out there exploring the world.
Always remember that your child is different and unique; hence don’t compare them with other children. Be their first cheerleader.”
