Baby Bump

The experience of being pregnant in Uganda was mostly a positive one.  Uganda has a culture that celebrates children, motherhood and pregnancy, so friends and strangers alike were very kind to me and offered me plenty of help.  Although I could not indulge in many of my more specific sugary cravings, it was helpful to be able to surround myself with natural snacks and tropical fruits.  

The most consistently difficult thing about pregnancy was the heat.  I normally run cool and don't feel that hot here where it is 76-80 degrees inside. But it felt like I was constantly sweating from the second trimester on.

Being safe about what I ate was tricky too.  Certain types of food-borne bacteria can be very dangerous during pregnancy, so I had to be cautious to avoid food that could have been stored or prepared improperly.  Food safety standards can be pretty lax here.  For example, I have heard that some grocery stores turn off their refrigerators and freezers at night to save money (!).  This meant I usually had to go without uncooked cheeses, salads and other delicious things.  

One thing I really appreciated in Uganda was that pregnancy was treated as natural and I think this helped me to be less anxious throughout.  I had an excellent midwife who continually reassured and encouraged me.  I felt well prepared for childbirth and it ended up being a very special experience.  I hope to write more on that in a future post.