July 20, 2010, is a day that I will never forget for the rest of my life. I was involved in a bad accident while I on the way to work. I can still remember passing out when I had to take a turn on the highway and I knew I was going to hit something. I opened my eyes after hearing knocks on my window asking me to open my central lock quickly as my car was smoking. I was out of the car within minutes, but I realised another thing – I was not able to move my right hand and left leg.
Within half an hour, I was already in a medical centre. Four X-rays of various parts of my body were taken and it was confirmed that my right hand was broken and I needed surgery on the same day.
My left leg had a crack and it was plastered. After surgery the next day, I began to vomit. I could not even drink any water. The doctors said it was normal after surgery. This feeling went on for days. On the fourth day, I asked to be discharged as I was already getting depressed due to the accident and I thought it was affecting my appetite.
I was allowed to go back but was advised to come back every four days for a checkup.
At home, besides feeling miserable that I was not able to move much, I still vomited frequently. The doctors prescribed strong gastric medicine but it did not help much. One of my relatives jokingly said that my vomiting was like a pregnant woman, as it was so frequent.
I began to start recalling my last menstruation date and decided to just take a simple pregnancy test. And yes, I was positive.
Now I know why I passed out in the car. It was a happy moment for my family but I was still not sure if I wanted the baby. Thinking about all the X-rays, painkillers and anaesthetic, I was worried about the effects on my unborn child, even though this was to be my first baby. So, I decided to abort the baby.
Then next day, I visited the gynaecologist and shared my story with him. He seemed calm and said, “Come on, let's see what your baby thinks about this,” and did an ultrasound check.
Within seconds I could hear a loud and strong heartbeat, so strong that till today I can still remember it.
He then jokingly told me, “Hey, your baby is stronger than you are, so why worry? Keep the child and we will see the progress in coming months. Stop worrying and enjoy your new experience.”
I did not know how to react but I was certainly so worried because I was already six weeks pregnant!
My morning sickness was really bad. I could not even drink water. I had to be on a drip and it was the most difficult time in my life since I could not walk, and could only use one hand. Luckily, I was still on medical leave.
Being afraid of vomiting, I slept for long hours. Despite all this, my baby was progressing well. I was losing weight but she was growing. My second month checkup showed a better picture of her - small but bouncing happily. My gynaecologist called her the “the miracle baby.”
My appetite was better towards the fourth month, as I went back to work. I occasionally vomited, but it was much better than before. I began to be picky with food and preferred only Italian food. My story became a “wow” story in my workplace as people were surprised how my baby survived in such a bad accident.
To be honest, I did not enjoy my pregnancy at all. I was bloated, occasionally vomiting, I became dark and I could not even recognise my own face! The broken hand was giving me problems and I could not even take any painkillers.
My due date was March 19, 2011 but I was already impatient when I was reaching my seventh month. My last checkup indicated that my blood pressure was high and I was put on bed rest. It did not help much and on March 6, I was told to get myself admitted to the hospital.
At 12am I was induced and I cannot elaborate the pain I went through. Until 2pm the next day, there was no indication of labour. At 3pm, my husband decided to go for lunch and suddenly the nurse alerted the doctor that my baby’s heartbeat was going down and the doctor had to do a Caesarean section in order to save the child.
All I said was, “Do whatever you want. I just want my baby out alive.”
At 3.27pm, my miracle was out. With a glance at her, I forgot all the pain and I could not express my joy!
Today, my daughter is my inspiration to always stay strong no matter what happens. I have heard miracle stories, but this was the first time one had happened to me.
Looking at her, everything else seems to be small in my life, and my little Charudurka will be my little miracle forever!
Mohanavani
