Be it the societal expectations of how and when she should embrace motherhood or the taboo around the prepartum and post-partum depression, women are surrounded with misconceptions on pregnancy. Nowadays, women have been debunking such misconceptions and norms on pregnancy and motherhood by opening up about their experiences and taking a step towards normalising the preset notions. Now, Vandana Sajnani Khattar opens up on conceiving at the age of 44 and her tumultuous pregnancy resulting in prepartum and postpartum depression. (Also Read: Kareena Kapoor Khan Narrates Her 'Working On A Period Day' Story, Opens Up On 'Period-Leave' Debate)
It was in 2019 when Rajesh Khattar and Vandana Sajnani Khattar had taken their little bundle of joy, Vanraj Krishna Khattar home on August 24, 2019. For the uninitiated, Vandana is step-mother of Ishaan Khatter, who is the son of Rajesh Khattar and Neliima Azeem. Announcing the arrival of their son and how they didn’t gave up for 11 years to become parents, Vandana had written, “Never gave up for 11 years! Tried every science under the Sun ... and finally the universe heard me ... #Faith can move mountains ! For all women n couples , You can read my story online ... #Google #Timesofindia ... Pls #Keepthefaith .. After all the struggles and hardships that #God tests you with , remember he loves you. Welcome baby #VanrajKhattar ... Our little #Krishna Thankyou for all your wishes and prayers. #Miracle #Yuvaankhattar @yuvaankhattar.”
More than a year after embracing motherhood, Vandana Sajnani Khattar opens up on her pregnancy and motherhood experience. In an interview with MissMalini, Vandana talked about how her ‘miracle’ pregnancy was one of the many medical issues. Vandana was carrying twins but two months into pregnancy, she was informed that her uterine lining was weak. Revealing that she was prescribed bed rest with her legs raised for three months, Vandana said, “I felt I was going down under. As if I was alone in this fight. I wanted to sit alone in darkness and talk to no one. I was in a shell. Something did not feel right, but I couldn’t particularly say what. I was bedridden and couldn’t even put my legs down to go to the bathroom. I was using a bedpan for three months. Those months were the most painful, emotionally draining, and fearful time of my life.”
Due to sudden bleeding, Vandana Sajnani Khattar was forced into an emergency C-section and one of her twins, Yuvaan, who was born prematurely, was rushed into NICU. Her painful pregnancy and loss of the baby had sunk her into prepartum depression. Vandana said, “I can’t even tell you what a sight it was to see my baby so tiny and the size of an arm, with wires all over his face, surrounded by pipes and tubes. The entire experience was full of stress, pain, anxiety, fear and sadness. Later, my doctor told me that it was prepartum depression, and because I did not attend to it with the right medication or counselling, it soon aggravated to postpartum depression.” (Also Read: Kareena Kapoor Khan Says She's Proud Of Being A Working Mother, Talks About Hubby, Saif's Support)
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While Vandana Sajnani Khattar was trying to overcome post-partum depression, a regular checkup of their son brought another storm for the couple. Vandana and Rajesh were wrongly informed that their son would have difficulty in seeing and hearing, and were asked to undergo multiple tests. She said, “Rajesh and I were completely shocked. He asked us to do a dozen tests on my baby, including extensive audio tests, vision tests, MRI’s, nerve tests and what not! My baby had just undergone two hernia operations upon delivery. Imagine making him go through these tests again! Even though another doctor told me that my baby was fine, I still was doubtful and went ahead and regularly did those tests, which had normal results. This trauma made me insane. My family knew the depression had hit me badly before. I wasn’t ready to understand that I needed help and medical assistance to keep my equilibrium. My baby was growing beautifully, but I was deteriorating.”
To mark her first birthday post embracing motherhood, Vandana Sajnani Khattar had posted a picture with her then newborn son. Expressing the joy of having her little one by her side, Vandana had written, “And so I turn another year older today... This #Birthday has been the most different and the most special bday of my life! My first as a #Mom Thankyou #Vanrajkhattar for making me experience this feeling that I have waited for all my life :) I look at you and wonder, what a wonder you are. My miracle baby, My gift from the universe. The little one who saw his mom go thru it for months and then one day whispered to me and said ‘Mom, I’m coming out to see you before time so I release you of all the pain and then he decided to take it upon him’ .. You little one, I have no words to describe the joy you have brought in our lives and the true warrior and fighter you are makes me swell in pride and yet I have those dagger pangs. On this day mumma has become older and may not be that agile or active like other moms when it’s your time to run around playing while I chase you... but I know one thing for sure bacha, that your mumma n Pappa can beat any 30 year mumma pappa around :) Coz always remember beta, where there is a Will, there is a way!!! Love you #Firsttimemommy #Birthdaywithmybabyboy @yuvaankhattar #Yuvaankhattar.” (Also Read: Mahhi Vij And Jay Bhanushali Celebrate Their Elder Daughter, Khushi's 6th Birthday In Goa [Video])
Have you experienced difficulties pre, during or post-pregnancy? Share your stories with us!
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