DOCTOR’S ORDERS by Eva Oude Ophuis
Two years ago I was in Bonaire working as a doctor in the local hospital. Of course I was working in Bonaire to windsurf outside of my job as much as possible. Although Bonaire has no waves it was perfect because it’s a small island and everything is close by, so with the small amount of free time I had, I could still spend some time on its beautiful waters. A perfect combination of work and play, planned for at least half of the year. Then, after two months, I went for a short visit back home to Holland, to quickly apply for an internship as a G.P. (General Practitioner). Once I was back working in Bonaire, I didn’t feel so well. Actually I had the typical pregnancy signs – growing boobs, nauseous. A colleague took a pregnancy test for me, even with those signs I didn’t expect to see a positive test. It was still a big surprise, but more than welcome after the shock had settled down!
SPIN OUT
A lot of uncertainty and questions went through my mind…. can my boyfriend and I take care of a baby? Will I be a good mum? Will I continue to work in Bonaire? My head was spinning around like crazy. The next day I went to hospital to double check with a gynaecologist if I was really pregnant. Well there was no doubt, five weeks pregnant. I went to the water and had my best freestyle session so far. Such a weird feeling that I was sliding and turning on the water with a little living thing inside my belly. But I also had questions like, will it be bad if I crash? What if I crash on my boom? Are there certain moves I shouldn’t do? Like Katie I checked Mr Google to see if I could get any answers and there was nothing really. But at this point there were also other important health issues going on through my mind because Bonaire was one of the Zika areas, but with only 1-2 cases so far. Nobody could advise me what to do, even the gynaecologist did not know how bad it was and if it would really cause microcephaly for the baby (small head including brain deformities). My uncle, who is a gynaecologist back in Holland, told me in no uncertain terms, “If you want to have a healthy baby, come back as soon as possible, you’ll never forgive yourself if something happens.” This was my best decision ever, because many people in Bonaire have Zika at present. I took the first flight back home. Now my life was not any more about travelling, windsurfing and working. There was a little human growing inside me who I had to take care of. So tiny, but it already changed my life so much!
SICK
The first 12 weeks I felt sick, I couldn’t do and eat anything because I was throwing up all the time (I had hyperemesis gravidarum like Katie) and I was weak. I could not even think about windsurfing because even walking without stopping multiple times to puke was impossible, let alone a good night of sleep. A terrible time! After eleven weeks it was getting a bit better and I started to think of windsurfing again and I went back to Google and asked my midwife, but there was no clear answers about windsurfing and pregnancy.
WINDSURF TIME
Around twelve weeks pregnant we went on a short holiday (5 days) to France. I did prefer wave sailing but unfortunately there was no wind and waves in Europe around this time. I remember thinking, ‘Oh maybe it’s better anyway, I will possibly just cruise back and forth…..’ I still felt a bit weak and had nauseous moments, but yeahhh windsurfing was possible! Half hour sessions were the maximum though. After a windsurf session or long walk I had back / pelvic pain and walked like a grandma, but it was all worth it. Cruising back and forth was not my thing though; I am way too playful on the water! I went for spocks and shakas. It was a special feeling to jump with a baby inside me, double trouble fun. It made me enjoy my sessions even more! The move I did not feel comfortable with though was the forward on flat water. I did one, but I got such a slap on the landing that it was also the last one I would try pregnant. I thought it would not be so nice for my little baby, she would probably not enjoy it.
