Pregnant And With COVID-19: Nale Tells

We’ve read stories of how fellow Fijians living abroad battled the deadly virus.

This time Jemima Nale, another Fijian living in the United States of America battled the same while she was four months pregnant.

But above anything else, the Vadravadra, Ba, lass says that support from loved ones was critical at a time where misinformation and the likes was strife.

“If you’re still not taking COVID precautionary measures seriously, you are surely in for some regrets,” she said.

Her experience is something she wishes no other pregnant woman would have to go through.

She tested positive on December 29, 2020.

“COVID was something hard to handle, all mentally, emotionally and physically but spiritually I was devoted and had faith that I was going to overcome it by all odds and that it wouldn’t have any effect on my unborn,” she said.

“I was scared, I was worried but I was strong enough to still push myself to eat.

“I had severe morning sickness during my first trimester of pregnancy, when I say severe I mean I can’t hold any food down, one spoon in and I’m face over in a bucket, vomiting.

“Just as it started to ease during my fourth month into pregnancy I contracted the virus, luckily I didn’t have too much of a severe symptoms from the virus and for that I thank God.

“I had lost my appetite, vomiting, watery eyes, running nose, really dry throat, I was feverish at times, I was really weak and I had difficulty in breathing but I did not need to be hospitalised for a ventilator, it was manageable with breathing exercises.”

COVID -19 Vaccination

She has been fully vaccinated and she strongly encouraged Fijians to be vaccinated.

“I encourage people to get vaccinated, I have been fully vaccinated. I got vaccinated at 31 weeks and 35 weeks of pregnancy with Pfizer and I had mild side effects,” she said.

On May 20 this year, Ms Nale gave birth to a healthy baby boy.

“Not having my fiancé by my side when I had COVID-19 was tough but he never failed to show his support virtually and spiritually especially praying with me,” she said.

Fiancé, Pauliasi Sirivalu said: “For as much as I wished to be beside her during that trying time of our lives, I’m forever grateful to God because in the height of the storm we were all calm and optimistic that it would pass.

“I’m not sure about anyone else but personally in my experience, having a good, trustworthy and loving support system from loved ones is so important. I couldn’t support her physically but I showed her support in every other possible way.

“We prayed together early in the morning before starting our days and same in the evenings before ending it.”

Edited by Ranoba Baoa

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