LAST Friday night, the home of Datuk Siti Nurhaliza was buzzing with guests and the media, who had been invited for a thanksgiving ceremony. The intimate affair was followed by a Press conference of a special announcement by Malaysia’s No. 1 singer.
Journalists and cameramen were on standby, anxiously waiting for the big news.Everyone had an inkling of the news and Siti confirmed the rumours.
“Alhamdulillah. I am four months pregnant,” she said with a smile.
Her statement confirmed speculation as to why she had been keeping a low profile and scaling down her career lately.
The room buzzed with excitement, and the glowing mother-to-be gave a sheepish smile.
“I’m so relieved that the secret is out. I won’t have to beat about the bush when people ask why I’ve not been as active in the music scene.
“This is truly a blessing for my husband (Datuk Seri Mohd Khalid Jiwa a.k.a Datuk K) and I, as we have waited far too long for this moment.
“Eleven years since we tied the knot, and at 38 years of age, God has granted me this rezeki (gift) of a baby,” she added.
SHARING HER EXPERIENCE
Siti suffered a miscarriage in 2015 and the Percayalah singer had spoken of her loss in public.
“At that time, I had conceived naturally but this time around, I got pregnant through IVF as I’m not young anymore and I can’t risk waiting much longer.”
Siti also said that women shouldn’t feel ashamed to speak about infertility, which is why she chose to share her experience.
“Many have been through what I’ve experienced. I’ve read that some couples have waited much longer to get a baby,” said Siti, who discovered she was pregnant after Hari Raya Aidilfitri.
Her experience has inspired her to set up a fertility centre under Yayasan Nur Jiwa, a foundation that she established with her husband to help the needy.
“We haven’t decided on a name yet for the fertility centre but it is to help women who are struggling to start a family, at an affordable cost,” she said.
SACRIFICES
Siti’s doctor has advised her to slow down.
“It got to a point where I just stayed at home. Throughout the first trimester, I could count on one hand? the number of times I stepped out from the house.
“And like other mothers-to-be, I too experienced morning sickness and suffered from terrible backache.
“But now that I have entered my second trimester, the morning sickness is fading away.”
Morning sickness and backache have taught Siti to appreciate what her mother had gone through bearing her and her siblings.
“I can now relate to the sacrifices and challenges that my mother went through when she was pregnant.
“I really am amazed by women who have many children.”
DATUK K’S DREAM
“My husband is so thrilled. It has always been his dream to see me be a mother.
“And he’s been very supportive, emotionally and mentally. Sometimes when I don’t feel too good about my appearance, he comforts me and says that it’s normal and that this is one of the many sacrifices a mother has to make for her baby,” she said.
Datuk K expressed his gratitude for the chance to go through this journey with his wife.
“It wasn’t always easy, but it is worth the wait. Although Siti has had to decline a few job offers, it’s okay because the baby is what is most important.”
Asked if Siti has food cravings, Datuk K said: “She doesn’t have any odd cravings, but she has become a little more attached to me than usual.
“For example, when I performed my pilgrimage recently, she became a little restless knowing I would be away from her for a long time.
“If she had her way, she wouldn’t want to be apart from me for long periods.
“I’m really excited to be caring for my pregnant wife, he said.