The chap who did the ultrasound mindlessly told her, ‘pole’ (sorry).
“I asked him why he was telling me pole but he said the doctor would explain. I already sensed things were bad.”
Later, in the doctor’s office, “The doctor told me she wished they could save him or her. Then she asked me questions. Like, if I’ve been overworking myself and not eating well, if I’ve been stressed."
Patriciah Kemboi had mixed feelings when her pregnancy test returned positive. “I wasn’t expecting it but I was shocked either,” Patriciah says carefully. “I was excited and scared. I didn’t think I was ready for a baby, and I didn’t know how I was going to tell my mum I was pregnant. I lived at home with her and my two brothers, I’m the only girl.” It was early May 2015. The sun shone on the flowers in bloom. Patriciah was 22, her (ex) boyfriend was 28. She worked crazy hours as a customer service agent.
Patriciah’s gynaecologist later confirmed the pregnancy at six weeks. Patriciah had terrible morning sickness but her baby developed well – the three visits she made to the clinic gave her a clean bill of health. “I wanted a boy but everyone told me I was getting a girl,” Patriciah says, smiling. “I picked names; Ivan for a boy, Ivanna for a girl. And I bought clothes; I bought six pairs of socks, two sweaters and a pink dress.”
