By Ruwarashe, Co-founder and Director, Seth Foundation
After the heartbreaking loss of our baby, we embarked on a journey of healing that spanned months. My husband did all he could to help me heal quickly, but the experiences I had endured at the hospital made it feel impossible. I thank God for the strength I later learned that we can never forget the experiences we passed through, but we just need to learn to live with them.
One day, I woke up feeling like I had not slept the whole night, tired and wanting more sleep. But because my husband knew me very well, he sensed that something was amiss, knowing my daily routine. He suspected I was pregnant again, just like the first time. He rushed to the pharmacy and purchased a pregnancy test. Waking me from my sleep, I could tell from his mischievous smile that he suspected I was pregnant. We did the test, and to our surprise, it came out positive.
We hadn't planned for a second pregnancy, but we were happy and excited. I could see from my husband's face that he was happy for us. With his excitement, he began asking, "Hey babe, what is the best name for our baby?" His love and care made the journey exciting. Days passed, and we imagined how our little baby's room would look like, picturing our future family. I was enjoying every moment and my face was all smiles.
The following week was my little niece's birthday. We were invited to the celebration, which included a family photoshoot. I was thrilled; I love my niece, I love children's birthdays and I love family photoshoots. The entire week, I thought about the big day and how I would pose for the pictures. Finally, the day arrived, and we prepared to head to the capital city for the birthday party and photoshoot. The whole family was happy to hear we were on our way.
Before reaching the capital city, I started to feel some discomforts, and I told my husband that I was no longer feeling well. At first, he didn't take it seriously, thinking it was one of those tricks pregnant women play when they want something or attention...
We arrived at the party and exchanged greetings. Shortly after, I went to the bathroom and was shocked to see blood. I called my husband, and from the tone of my voice, he could tell something was wrong. I showed him the blood stains. He remained calm, trying to assure me it wasn't serious. He ruled out the possibility of a pregnancy loss. We contacted our doctor, who informed us that if a miscarriage had commenced, there was nothing the doctors could do to stop it. Nonetheless, he urged us to visit the hospital for comprehensive tests to confirm the diagnosis and undertake any essential procedures.
We didn't want to spoil the birthday and photoshoot, so we pretended everything was okay. We took photos, though the discomfort and pain was increasing. My husband was checking on me whenever I visited the bathroom. After the photos, I told him I couldn't bear the pain anymore, and we couldn't wait for the food and cake cutting. We informed my mom and sister-in-law of what had happened, and that we needed to rush to the hospital. They understood, and we headed home to see my doctor.
We arrived at the hospital, did the tests, and were told I had lost my 7-week pregnancy. At that moment, my dreams were shattered again. Tears streamed down my cheeks, and my husband tried to comfort me, telling me to be strong, though I knew he was in pain too. All the necessary procedures to remove the remains of the fetus were done, and we went back home with an empty womb. Thank God, friends and family came to check up on us, taking us to different outings and activities to distract our minds.
The presence and unwavering support of our loved ones provided a glimmer of hope. It was during this time of reflection that we realized the importance of having a support system in times of need. Sadly, not everyone has access to such support networks. This realization ignited within us a deep desire to help others facing similar struggles. Thus, the Seth Foundation was born. Dedicated to providing solace, resources, and a supportive community to individuals and families navigating the complexities of pregnancy loss and poor pregnancy outcomes.
Months passed, and as we were healing, without thinking or planning, BOOM! another pregnancy came...
To be continued...
Seth Journey