By Lia Spencer
It was a piece of fruit that may have aided Alexandra Singh’s fertility.
The 26-year-old Pakenham woman travelled to Attari, India, in 2016 to meet her husband Sammi’s family for the first time. During the visit, the family held a small ceremony to welcome Ally into the family which included a visit to a temple, called a Gurdwara, and the offering of a piece of fruit, which was presented to increase fertility. Ally was told that if she ate the fruit, she would get pregnant. Alas, one month later she discovered she was.
“I have always wanted children, so when I found out I was pregnant, I was so excited I wanted to shout it from the rooftops,” she said.
Ally had minor morning sickness and smell diversions during the first few months, sailed through the second trimester, but then was diagnosed with gestational diabetes near the end of the pregnancy.
“Being diagnosed with GD really took me back, and I felt disappointed in myself when I heard the news. From then on, I had to monitor my blood sugar levels and keep away from all the sweet things you crave when pregnant,” she said.
“I thought it was cruel that not only did I have to abstain from alcohol and limit my caffeine, but now all the sweets!”
Ally was due on 6 January but, because it was suspected she would have a big baby because of her diagnosis, she was induced two days earlier.
She had her waters broken at 9am, began full labour at noon, and had her first stint of pain relief shortly after.
“At 1pm, I politely asked for the gas and air which absolutely was amazing! I could not stop smiling and laughing through the contractions,” she recalled.
Besides using gas, Ally coped with the labour by visualising waves, concentrating on tapping her foot and singing to songs on the radio. Not put off by the pain, Ally, mid-labour also discussed with Sammi when they would have their second child.
“You think that would be the last thing on my mind at that time!”
At 5.45pm, with the help of forceps, Grace Attari Kahlon was born weighing a healthy 7 pounds 7 ounces.
Ally and Sammi are absolutely smitten with the new addition.
“We are so blessed. She is such a content baby, very happy,” Ally said.
“She is already smiling and laughing. We plan to take a trip to India at the end of the year to introduce her to her dad’s side of the family and definitely plan on having more babies in the future!”
