LIFE AS IT IS

When I found out I was expecting, I was both excited and anxious. I was excited for obvious reasons but I was anxious because like all other mothers, I too wanted a healthy baby and feared for my baby’s health. From the very first day, I read as much as I could about babies and pregnancy. I took time to go to the local public library to borrow books about babies. Certain things in life are inevitable but there are some things that every expectant mother can do to have a healthy pregnancy. I walked. I walked every day. On days when I could not go outdoors, I walked inside our apartment. I would turn some music on and walk for at least 30 minutes. I even managed to walk about half a mile three days before my daughter was born. Walking during pregnancy is not only a good cardiovascular exercise but it is the only kind of exercise that you can do throughout your pregnancy. But don’t overstretch or exhaust yourself. Walk as much as your body can handle. I kept myself hydrated. I neve...

When she sleeps in my lap, I gaze at her. I gaze at her because I still find it hard to believe that I carried her for nine months. I touch her soft hair, her tiny fingers and toes, I pull her little round nose, I squeeze her cheeks and gently massage her arms. No, nothing wakes her up. She squirms for a few seconds but does not become fully awake. She perhaps knows that she is in a place that is as safe as it can be. The pain was harrowing, nothing I ever felt before. The twenty-three hours of labour seemed like twenty-three days of suffering. Her back was against my back when her back should have been against my belly. The result? Back-breaking labour. Yes, I had back labour, which is far more painful than normal labour. I thought I would pass out. A few times I thought I would die giving birth to my daughter. In spite of everything it was the first time in my life I thought I was strong. I always had an idea that I was physically weak but the birth of Wareesha just blew that idea ...