They say when a woman becomes mother, her womanhood attains completion. Not sure about the correctness of this statement, but the woman in me has sure become a mother and she sure feels more beautiful now.
How unpredictable life is – last year this time, having a baby in near future was nowhere in our plan. But (somehow) the plan soon changed. After doing a short analysis of our readiness, I and my husband decided to welcome a new family member!
And soon by god’s grace the most precious news arrived us. The new soul had made room in our life already.
We chose a nearby hospital with a good obstetrician, after checking out reviews. A more disciplined lifestyle including balanced diet, proper sleep, distance from stress and so on, followed next. I bought a good book on pregnancy that I referred to right till the end. I tried to refrain from old wives’ tales and to strictly follow my doctor throughout.
I continued going to office till the eighth month, though I had made up my mind well in advance that I may have to discontinue work due to medical non fitness at any stage of pregnancy. But fortunately all went well and I worked till the date I wanted.
Baby was due in August last week. And as July started, so did my anxiety. The date though more than a month far, was approaching at a fast pace. The thought that eight months have passed already gave me jitters. There also was a sense of achievement that I have successfully nurtured a baby in my womb for quite a period! July passed somehow – it felt like years though. Now the D day could be any day, as I had read that the baby may arrive any day plus or minus few days of the estimated delivery date.
August being the most awaited time of our life, started with high degree of anxiety, impatience and energy. The image of my baby in my mind got firmer each day. The thought that soon I will have my angel in my hands was in itself a divinity.
I unfortunately picked up dengue in the first week of August and it was lowering my platelets count each day. With no other major symptoms showing up yet, the only thing bothering was the rapidly reducing platelets count. This was accompanied by a low fever that still was bearable. A major concern was that the baby shouldn’t catch the infection.
Doctor called me for a couple of blood tests. On analysing the report it was decided not to wait any further (it was my 38th week of pregnancy, already). Yes, that was the day!
The shear news that i would be operated within an hour, gave the unprepared me chills. It was so quick that i and my husband could hardly get time to inform relatives about it. I was quickly shifted to the ward where all the crude things started happening. A set of nurses came and changed my dress to a loose fitting dressing gown. A catheter was inserted as i could not move out for next couple of days. Few more gross things happened that would be inappropriate to be mentioned here.
Within minutes my doctor came to examine me and my baby. Next, a wheelchair was brought and i was transferred to the OT. i was asked to lie down on the operation table. A batch of doctors was already present there. My doctor was explaining them my and baby’s current status. The anesthesiologist asked me to stay calm as he could clearly figure out my nervousness. I was scared like a chicken. All the sweet dreams of holding the baby for the first time had taken a back seat. All i wanted at that time was to survive that surgery. A couple of IVs were pricked, one being platelet transfusion. I was next given anesthesia in my backbone. Seconds later i couldn’t feel my lower body. I was then blindfolded. I could hear everything happening around and could feel some vibrations on the table. I had surrendered myself to the godly doctors present there. My ears were literally dying to hear that ‘first cry’!
I was dizzy and all ears at the same time. Minutes passed like that. Finally after about half an hour i heard a feeble shriek. But it was so low and short that it got me thinking if this was the one i was waiting for. Then there was silence. Doctors were on with their work though. I could feel some activities still on. A nurse in a corner said - ‘2:43:06’. Was that the birth time of my baby?
Finally i bumbled with the blindfold still on - “How is my baby?”. My doc replied - “Your baby is absolutely fine. Nurse is cleaning him”. I felt like crying. Entire nine months of carrying flashed back. All pains gone. My eyes were pining for baby’s sight.
Few minutes later another doc present there brought him near me and my baby was looking at me with his eyes wide open! I kissed his soft feet and they took him to the NICU for examination. They shifted me to my ward. After a long wait of around eight hours we finally got him back. He was asleep all cozy in hospital muslin.
I felt like jumping and grabbing my baby but the pain of stitch held me back. Still I managed to cuddle him. The feeling can't be expressed what it was !
An eternal connection was made as he latched for feed. That moment and now are not much different. Just that his toes have grown a bit - I handle his poo better for sure - I sleep a little less now - he loves me a little more!
