REAL life
contractions began. I wasn’t scared, and I believe that contributed to how I took the labour. I was very calm. I remember calling Daniel that night, telling him that I was in labour. “Kate? We’re having a baby? What? We’re having a baby!” He was quite surprised by how calm I remained, when he was really the one who needed calming down. The hours ticked by. My mother was convinced I should go to hospital early. My aunt and I refused. The last thing I wanted was to sit around for hours on end. We left at 2am. Daniel stayed at the hospital with me.
At 8.30am on Thursday 30 October 2014, we welcomed baby Daniel (“Junior”) Siphiwe into the world. I had never been so excited, nor had I ever seen so much joy on Daniel (now senior)’s face. The feeling of holding your baby in your arms for the first time is beyond any description.
BACK TO BUSINESS That afternoon
I was discharged.
Arriving home, we were greeted by excited friends and family, but I had other things on my mind. Firstly, I needed a doughnut cushion and then I had revision to do for my maths exam the next day. When everyone had left, I jumped into the shower, my mom and aunt kept an eye on Junior and Daniel helped me to study. We dug into the books for a few hours and at last, I went to bed. Junior woke up a couple of times that night for feeds. The morning arrived (quicker than I thought) and I was off to school, doughnut cushion in one hand, stationery and ID in the other.
I did not miss any of my exams. I have been breastfeeding my son (and expressing when I was away at school). I took nap times for him as study time for me. I took it one day at a time. And before I knew it, the exams were over.
LOOKING BACK
Without the support from Daniel, my mother, my aunt, my mother’s employers and my family, I would not have been able to push through and finish my matric. I have no words to thank them. Regardless of how difficult it was, the unkind words
68 YOUR PREGNANCY
that were said and physical challenges, I was determined. I believe determination is stronger than any other feeling and can override any physical or emotional constraints. YP
Photographer: Neil Kirby
Kate thanks her mom for always supporting her
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