Television and radio personality Carol Ofori is expecting baby number 2 with her husband, Greg. The star chats to us about her journey into motherhood and learning on the job. By Kwanele Mathebula
My parents separated when I was 12 years old. That was tough because I didn’t enjoy seeing them living separately. Because of that experience, it became important for me to get married first, and then have children. Moreover, marrying the right person was equally important so as to be able to help each other be good parents.
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Starting a family was the first thing on the agenda after getting married. Greg, and I dated for five years before we got married in 2014. A month into our life as newlyweds, we tried to fall pregnant with no luck. We decided to see a fertility specialist to make sure that we could have a baby. I was told that I had a tumour that could develop into fibroids. But, my gynaecologist didn’t think that it would hinder my chances of falling pregnant. He encouraged me to continue trying to conceive naturally. A few weeks later, I found out that I was in fact pregnant.
It took me some time to adjust to motherhood. My first pregnancy was hassle-free. I was healthy, and left one of my jobs because it was stressful. I gave birth to my son, Sena, in 2015, but didn’t know anything about children. I had read books about motherhood, but the information didn’t help me. I doubted my ability to be a great mother, but I’m glad that my motherly instincts kicked in. Sena and I got into a routine; he had specific feeding, napping and playtime. This helped me manage on a daily basis. Having a baby has also brought Greg and I closer; it forced us to make time for each other as a couple. Our anniversary has become a no-baby zone because we want it to be just about us.
I am excited to be a mother of two. Greg and I have been trying for several months and have had a few false alarms. One day, I decided to take a test while working from home and couldn’t believe it was positive. The first thing I did was call my husband to share the news, and he was excited. Although I am nervous about having another child, I am looking forward it. What I’m not looking forward to are the sleepless nights ahead.
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I am grateful for my support structure. My family has been supportive with helping us raise Sena and our growing family. I have a village of people who are always willing to come to my rescue when I have work commitments. They include my parents, sister and nanny. Additionally, Greg is supportive of my dreams, especially with the demands that come with my career.