Elana's baby raced to be born
19/08/2007 19:55 - (SA)
Chantelle Nicholas
Stellenbosch - Elana Meyer's firstborn gave his mom a run for her money when he arrived a month early.
Elana, who won a silver medal running for South Africa at the Olympic Games, had to rush to get to hospital on time for the sudden arrival two Fridays ago.
The 40-year-old athlete says she was still at work when she felt strange things happening. "I just knew I had to get to a car soon, so that I could at least get to hospital on time."
Christopher's early arrival caught both mom and her fiancé Jacques van Rensburg completely off guard.
Although the doctors initially thought they still had another 48 hours, an emergency Caesarean was required in the end.
Everything happened fast, said Meyer, and her firstborn drew his first breath at 09:10 last Saturday.
"I think his dad had the fright of his life when I phoned him to get to the hospital in a hurry that morning," she joked.
Christopher, who was only expected on September 11, weighed 2.64kg and was 44cm long at birth. His lungs were a bit small at birth and he was given respiratory support, but is breathing on his own now.
Follow in mom's footsteps?
"I'm just so happy that I had an easy pregnancy at the age of 40, and that my son has a beautiful, perfect body. Jacques and I have really been blessed.
"Christopher's room has been prepared and he's going to have a large number of friends. Many teddy bears are already waiting for him."
They chose the name Christopher because it means "bearer of Christ".
Elana is breastfeeding him twice a day and Christopher's intake has already increased from 5ml to 25ml a day.
As to Christopher following in his mother's footsteps, Elana said: "My only dreams for him are to be healthy, active and to have unbelievable joy in his life."
Then again, Christopher went for a run with his mom every day until the day before he was born, and she says it won't surprise her if he does take up running.
