I had my child while still in school, but I was strong enough to overcome the shame

My name is Sharon; I am a mother of a charming prince who is one and year three months. My journey started two years ago when I realized I was two months pregnant and still in school. Coming from family with a strong Christian background I could not figure out how to break the news to my grandmother who had raised me and had a lot of hopes in me. The news of being expectant came with mixed reactions; at first I was happy God had seen me through because doctors had told me it would be difficult for me to conceive because I had the Poly Cystic Ovarian Syndrome. I was confused at the same time because I could picture out the shame and ridicule I would go through.

I then started regretting my actions because I was scared of facing the world, the shame I had brought to my family and the dreams I had hung. Sometimes I would lock myself in the bathroom and cry my heart out but as days went buy I had to accept and own my belly. I picked myself up and promised to be strong because I knew my son had to be healthy. As time went by my belly kept growing big, the transformation started from morning sickness to nausea and exhaustion. Having been born out of wedlock and expecting my son the same way, all eyes were on me but that didn’t matter anymore.  “I’m a fighter,” I told myself. What mattered at that time was the little munchkin I was carrying in my stomach.

Having gained extra 18.5 kgs and black stretch marks running across my belly I looked more of a tank. Then the due date finally arrived; the day my angel had decided was time to see the world. 23 hours in labor, walking across the labor ward; screaming, crying and cursing but finally I held my ninja in my arms. Words can’t express the joy I felt. At first I couldn’t believe what I saw. A tiny creature in my arms. “It’s a bouncing baby boy.” The doctor said. His words seemed meaningless because I already knew what to expect plus my baby’s clothes were full of blue. All my concentration was on my little champ.

I have never felt what I felt on the 9th of February 2016. I was the newest mother in town. There’s nothing as beautiful as motherhood... as much as it has its own challenges; sleepless nights, baby cries and the worst was when he fell sick, you could have thought that both mother and son were sick because we both cried, with me being a first time mother. There was nothing that scared me as much as breastfeeding did, the first few weeks were horrible. From dripping of the milk and soiling my blouse to the actual pain incurred in the first few weeks.

I couldn’t breastfeed my son exclusively because of school and work, I had to sacrifice myself and multitask. I opted to do my teaching practice in a home school so that I could get some hours off to come and check on my champion. I can’t forget to thank my grandma. She’s a very special woman in my life. She stood by me in all, she helped me out during the pregnancy and looking after my soon as I worked. At an old age she could still mix nan formula and change my son’s diaper.

I can’t trade motherhood for anything. The experience, the adventure I have gotten can’t be compared to anything in this world. My son is now 1 year and  3 months and I always thank God for this wonderful journey. I love him to infinity and beyond. When I look in his eyes I see myself and realize how strong I am. I pray that God protects my son and helps me bring him up in his ways.