Soma Dutt

My last blog was about SMS(Scary Motherhood Syndrome) and this write-up is going to be on "The parcel is here...what do I do now"?

So, here I was lying down in the ICU... my eyes stuck towards the door.. waiting eagerly for my baby. I couldn't recollect my baby's face, since, I only managed to catch a glimpse of him before being transported to the ICU . I guess the wait was more overwhelming than the long 9 months' of wait. After almost waiting for I don't know how many hours, he was finally there in my arms... my legs were numb due to the affect of the epidural but my emotions and tears knew no bounds. I exclaimed "My Baby!!!" as I looked at him properly for the first time... the tiny little being stole my heart away instantly..

Next, I was asked to feed him and there it was... the birth of a "mother" in me. So, I too was born along with my baby. The small little darling suckled and I kept wondering whether I was able to satisfy his hunger. Once he was done the mid-wife took him and transported him back to the room where I was going to stay for the next 4 days. Finally, after 5 hours I was shifted to my room and there he was sleeping in his crib with my mother waiting and watching over him. The affect of the epidural was wearing off and I could finally feel the pain and my legs. I could not stand, turn on my sides and even take a "pee break". Torturous!!! Isn't it? Strangely, they did not bother me at all. I was just looking at my baby and waiting for him to wake up so that I could hold him back again. I was exhausted with all the induced labour pain, the c-sec surgery, the pain from the surgery, and of course I was parched since I could neither eat nor drink for few hours after the surgery. Finally , he woke up and there I was holding him in my arms again... He looked so beautiful.

The next one week was a life changing experience. I didn't sleep at all. He wouldn't sleep at all. I was burned out completely. After a week, both he and I settled down and I was a pro at handling him and meeting his demands.

It takes time to settle down and all babies are different. So, if anyone is giving you advises ( of course you are going to get plenty)... listen to them...but follow your instinct, since you are the mother and no one knows your baby better than you do. You can always take suggestions but please follow what the paediatrician says. Your baby is your blessing and your responsibility and its always going to remain like that and nothing in the world can change this fact.

So happy Motherhood.. the package has been delivered and your journey as a mother begins.