Onomewrites

When my daughter turned six months, we had to go on a road trip for my brother’s wedding in Port-Harcourt. From the moment my brother said the wedding would hold in Port-Harcourt, I dreaded the journey because my baby was six months old.

I decided to do a lot of research on google but couldn’t find any article that fit my situation. They were all talking about travelling in your car. I am about to board “God is good motors”, so I need someone with that kind of experience. I am writing this article for that new mama who needs a relatable article.

After the trip to Port-Harcourt, I went on other long journeys with my baby, and it was all seamless. We have travelled to Kwara, Ogun, and Oyo. There was a time we travelled back to back in the space of one month, and my baby girl was fine. I want to share with you some tips that made each journey seamless.

TIPS TO HELP YOU HAVE A SMOOTH JOURNEY WITH YOUR BABY

Speak to your baby’s paediatrician:

Before going on any journey, especially if it’s a long journey, try to speak to your baby’s doctor and let them certify that your baby is fit to travel.

Talk to your baby:

I believe babies can hear, so I started speaking to my baby from the day she was born. I even have a journal where I share every experience, Journaling has helped me stay sane, and I also think it would be nice to present it to her when she grows older, back to the real gist. A friend advised me to let her know we are going on a long trip, it might be stressful, but I will take care of her.

While dressing her up every morning, I would tell her, “Hi mama, in 3 weeks, we will visit Port Harcourt for your uncle’s wedding. The journey is about 8 hours but don’t worry me, your daddy, uncles, aunties and your grandparents will take good care of you. It felt like I was passing a message to her subconscious, it might sound silly, but it works. It’s not just about travelling alone. When you are not comfortable with anything, speak to your baby. When my baby was not eating well, I would speak to her about it. Talk to your baby!

Pack appropriately:

It is also important that you pack everything your child needs. I will advise you don’t pack in a hurry. In my case, I pack at least two days before we travel so that I don’t forget anything. Essentials you need include Diapers, sleepsuits, bodysuits, wipes, formula, bottles, cereals, water and other necessities.

Go with comfortable transportation:

This was one mistake I made when we were travelling to Port Harcourt. We wanted to go with GUO, but unfortunately, we couldn’t book because they were fully booked, so we had to go with “God is good”, and the experience was terrible. The bus was uncomfortable, and we didn’t get to PH until late at night, but returning was seamless. We followed Libra, and the bus was so comfortable. My baby even watched cartoons, lol. She was not cranky at all. I would advise you to go with a comfortable transport company (You can check for reviews before you decide) but if you can please go by air for long distances.

Feed your baby:

This is very important. My baby was starting solids, so breastfeeding was still her major food. I made sure she was breastfed before we left for the park, and she slept till we got to the park. When we boarded, I breastfed too. If you have those ice packs, they will come in very handy. Pump some breastmilk and keep it. I didn’t have those, so I didn’t pump, but I got her some cereal which I gave her when we got to our second stop.

A well-rested baby is a happy baby:

Let your baby rest. For our first trip to Port Harcourt, we had to wake up early to meet the bus, which made my baby cranky. Until she slept, she was fussy. I have also noticed this trend each time we travelled, and she had to wake up early. Even if you have to wake up early, rock your baby so she can sleep; that helps her stay rested, and a well-rested baby is a happy baby.

Dress them for the weather:

For our trip to Port Harcourt, it was really cold, and the bus had AC, so it was so chilly. I wore a sleepsuit for her but changed her into more comfortable wear as the journey progressed. Do your findings about the weather and dress your baby accordingly.

Carry your baby’s toys:

The journey is so long, and you don’t want your baby bored. In the same way, you start pressing your phone once the journey is long, your baby is going to be bored too, so get them their toys, and if your babies have a tab, then you can go along with it and let your babies have fun too.

CONCLUSION

Travelling with your baby is not as easy as it sounds, but it is possible. I have enjoyed every trip with my baby and look forward to more. The secret is to stay calm and be patient; your baby can sense it when you are stressed and frustrated. If your partner is with you, let them relieve you of the stress so you can rest. Don’t forget to enjoy every phase because they grow so fast.

You’ve got this, mama.

Yours on the journey,

Onome.

Finally, we are close to the end of the race. This month came with joy and nervousness. Joy because I was going to see and hold this beautiful human growing inside of me and nervousness because do I even know how to take care of a baby? I mean, I was still clueless about so many things.

My due date was getting closer, and I found myself panicking. I had this extra energy I can’t explain. I would clean the house and cook without stress. My husband would tell me to go and rest, but no o the energy was high. The one thing I hated about the third trimester was that you would urinate every minute. I hated when I had to get up in the middle of the night to pee.

I looked forward to carrying my bundle of joy, the movements had reduced, but I could still feel my baby. My due date was April 8, but the doctors wanted to work with April 6. I was due for surgery on April 6, but our baby had other plans. I started having contractions on April 4, and I thought it was normal stomach pain.

I tried using the restroom, but nothing came out; by the middle of the night, it became intense and closer. I had it for about 1-hour interval; by 6 am, it was about 30 minutes. I had to wake my husband up at this time because I was in severe pain, it felt like menstrual cramps, but it was intense.

I called my friend Damilola and explained how I felt, and she shouted, “you are in labour; go to the hospital”. I called my midwife, who told me to pack my bags and start coming. I was in labour, but I was scared, so you mean I will be a mommy today.

We got to the hospital around 7:30. My midwife had called my gynaecologist to tell him that I was in labour, so we met him at the hospital waiting for me. He checked the baby’s heartbeat and told me they would start getting me prepped for surgery.

I’ve read a lot about CS, but I was still scared. I kept praying under my breath, and mind you; I was still in intense labour pain. The gynae told me he couldn’t give me any medication for the pain because it could affect the baby.

They took me to my ward, and the theatre nurse came in to get me prepped up. I was moved into the theatre, and the anesthesiologist gave me a spinal epidural to numb the pain for the surgery. The surgery started, and the anesthesiologist, God bless his heart, was so lovely. He kept telling me different stories to distract me and keep me calm.

At 9:40 am on April 5, our miracle baby Reyna Oluwafifehanmi Enierioluwa made her way into the world. She was so pretty and perfect, I was so weak, but all I wanted to do was cry. When the nurse brought her to me, I was filled with many emotions. This little girl is mine. I just co-created with God, and it’s so beautiful. Her birth was a testimony. She came like a warrior and brought smiles to our faces.

After they took my baby away and tried to stitch me up, they realized my blood pressure was dropping, and I couldn’t breathe normally, so the anesthesiologist put me on oxygen. I had also lost a lot of blood, so they had to give me two pants of blood.

I knew God had promised that He was with me, so I knew I would not die on that operation table, the doctors did their best, and my blood pressure started returning to normal.

After the surgery, the doctor explained that my baby and I making it alive was a miracle. That was the day I understood what God meant when He told me to call her “Oluwafifehanmi, and he gave my husband, the name “EniEri”.

Oluwafifehanmi means God has shown me love; that theatre experience showed me that God loves me; at that point, when I was struggling to breathe, I didn’t even know what was going on, but God loves me. Enieri means the one of testimony, and this child is a testimony because God preserved her.

I was in the hospital for about five days because the doctors discovered I had a bladder wound when they were stitching me up, and they needed it to heal. I can tell you for free that God is faithful, and when He gives you a word, it will surely come to pass. I felt every inch of pain, but when I look at that child, I am reminded that indeed God loves me.

Thank you for showing up every day to read this journal. It means a lot to me. Thank you for sharing and your beautiful comments. I started this journal because I was bored, but I’m so glad I did because these memories are what I will cherish. I hope I made you laugh and made you realize that pregnancy is indeed a beautiful journey.

Dear pregnant woman, please take it easy on yourself. Your journey is not everybody’s own. You are different, so block out the noise and pick your strength in God. There is no award for suffer head, so take it easy and enjoy this phase. Please, if you need someone to talk to, I am just a message away. I promise to make you laugh.

To every TTC woman, momma, you are strong, and you are not a failure. God will come through for you, and you will testify.

It’s been a beautiful journey with you. Thank you!

I love you!