It's bad enough to have a cold during pregnancy, but what if you are diagnosed with a deadly disease on 33 weeks? While being on a three hour flight, Picolien did not know she was in the early stages of labour. How could she knew, it's her first pregnancy and she's only 33 weeks pregnant. She started to feel incredibly uncomfortable on the plane. As soon as they landed, they rushed to the hospital. And everything got blurry when they got there. Picolien's perfect planning for a home birth turned into an emergency C-section - the result of having malaria.
Moomie talked to Picolien about this terrible disease that endangered both her and her baby's lives.
What was the first symptoms that you had malaria?
Living in Northern Mozambique I have had malaria over 25 times before I realised how to combat it. Stress is a major factor. I have thankfully not had malaria in four years now.
First symptoms are usually just feeling not very well, a little bit hazy. Then the body aches and then the headaches start. Once the fever starts you have full blown malaria. You become very lethargic and even though you know you may have malaria you sometimes can’t even bother to go to the doctor. You really need to have someone to look after you.
What happened after you arrived at the hospital?
I was in labour, but was too weak to deliver naturally as planned. And the doctors had to deliver the baby as soon as possible, so that they could give me medication for the malaria.
Was there a chance that you could loose your baby?
We both almost died. They called us a miracle pair. Before the anaesthetist put me under, he told me, “I just want to prepare you. You must know that if anything goes wrong we concentrate on the mother..
He was preparing me for possibly losing my baby.
Could you take any medication for the malaria during your pregnancy?
I didn’t know I had malaria until I was in labour. I suspected it though, so I tested, but it was negative or inconclusive. I was on homeopathic prophylaxis which might have been what caused the tests to be inconclusive. Only once the baby was born, I was on Quinine, which made me completely deaf for a while.
Did you and / or your baby need any special treatment after she was born?
She was in NICU for two weeks. She was jaundiced, but otherwise there were no major complications. I was out of hospital in a week and would visit her three times a day.
Anything else you would like to share about malaria during pregnancy?
I didn’t realise it at the time, but malaria medication can be safe to take during pregnancy. Had I known that at the time, I probably would have taken the medication, even though the test results were inconclusive.
What did the doctors tell you?
We were very lucky to be alive. We are so glad that everything worked out well for Picolien and her baby. Pippa is now four years old and her brother, Finn, is 11 months old.
Finn's birth was totally different, it was a magical home birth. Picolien gave birth to him in the middle of the bush, at an eco lodge, outside on the verandah. Finn was born in the morning light, with an eagle circling above them. His nickname is Kalai, which means “the call of the fish eagle” in Tonga.
After two very interesting but totally different births, we asked Picolien about being a parent:
Did you / are you breastfeeding?
I breastfed my daughter for two years. She started life on donor milk for two weeks, but I managed to breastfeed afterwards. I’m currenlty still breastfeeding my son. He was exclusively breastfed for six months. Breastmilk is still his main source of food and solid food is just an extra.
What method of discipline works for your children?
I usually remove Pippa from the situation by taking her to a quiet space. We talk about what upset her and I try to give her a hug. A hug always makes her feel better.
How do you handle a tantrum in public?
Luckily I can’t think of one time she threw a tantrum in public.
What snacks do you give to your kids?
Raisins, nuts and mostly fruits. On special occasions they may have dark chocolate, milkshakes and a piece of cake.
What is an appropriate age for a child to get a cellphone or tablet?
I think it depends on the child. Children mature at different ages. If they understand the responsibility that comes with it, a tablet or phone can be very useful. I do try to limit screen time and we don’t have a television. From time to time a cellphone or tablet can be eductional as well.
How do you keep your kids busy while travelling?
We do travel frequently and we use a DVD player and movies for this. My little girl gets motion sick so reading and games don’t work for us.
What's your opinion about vaccination?
I have spent the last five years researching vaccines, a minimum of an hour a day. I’m proudly anti-vaccination and believe that the vaccination industry is one of the most corrupt in the world. I believe that vaccines play a huge role in why our children are becoming sicker and having more learning disabilities or dying (SIDS). I believe that vaccines are neither safe nor effective. I wish more parents would research the topic before they made up their minds about vaccination. They need to learn what herd immunity actually means and how vaccines cannot and do not help the herd. I am extremely proud that my children are vaccine free. Most of my friends and family support my choice.
How do you and your partner make time for each other?
It happens organically. We don’t have to try. We enjoy being together and spend most of our free time together.
How did parenting change your life?
It completely changed my priorities. I think I’m less selfish. It made me realise how important it is to be happy and I stress less. It made me feel more, love more and worry more. It made me see life is much bigger than myself. It made me understand what true happiness is. It has humbled me and yet given me confidence. I feel complete with my husband and two angel babes. When I was pregnant with our first, my husband and I laughed a lot, until we cried. We still laugh together and at each other all the time. We try to make parenting as fun as it can be.
What is a mom?
A mom should be someone who will guide you through life. A mother should show you, by example, how you should value yourself, others and nature. I want my children to think of me as home, somewhere safe and comfortable. - Alta van Wyk
Here's the links to Picnolien's stories: