Page 33 - Masala Lite Issue 176 August 2025

• Despite the odds with the IVF, I got pregnant almost immediately and took it for
granted. Being a C-section, I didn’t experience the birthing process, so motherhood
initially didn’t quite sink in. I was underwhelmed and didn’t go through the idiotic,
movie-type, saccharine emotions. Also, newborns, especially preemies, aren’t
exactly cute and lovable; they’re almost ugly. Coming home, I became immensely
overwhelmed but forged connections through breastfeeding, which regrettably
wasn’t for long enough.
• Seeing my baby girl, I thought: Oh my goodness! I hope she won’t go through as
tough a labour as my 24-hour, unbearably painful one.
• It’s worth the trouble…I grew in unexpected ways, learning patience, resilience,
and the deep joy of simply being present. The transformation touched every
corner of my heart. It reshaped the way I saw time—every day was measured in
WE EACH CARRY INSIDE OF US tiny milestones, in gentle discoveries, in the quiet strength of love. I quit my job
and stayed home for the best two years of my life.
A PIECE OF MOM’S HEART • I was too confused, but since the rest of the family was ‘excited and happy’, I
was too. Though you love your child and try your best, I wasn’t mature enough
Dolly Koghar says, never underestimate the power to realise the huge responsibility. Also, ‘Time hi kahan mila sochne ka,’ where
was the leisure to sit and analyse; what with looking after my children and joint
of your mother to understand you! family offspring, then later on, grandchildren. Mistakes were made but I learnt

that we aren’t perfect and neither is life. So, I went with the flow and grew
“Giving grace to yourself is never more important than when you become a mother.” alongside while enjoying, worrying, crying, laughing, and learning gratitude and
– Anonymous.
appreciation. May God bless everyone’s kids.
Summoned by God to come to see His last and best creation, the angels noticed • As the umbilical cord was wrapped around the foetus’ neck, and the legs were
a seepage from the eyes of this, otherwise, perfect product. That’s us moms; positioned to come out first, labour culminated in a C-section. Then, through

sentimental suckers!
the anaesthesia haze, I asked the doctor if I was alive. Chuckling, he replied,
Below are our community’s heartfelt experiences as first-time moms: “Congratulations, we have a baby boy.” I was young, but for a mom, the child

comes before the husband. So, I read up Dr. Benjamin Spock and asked the
• Surreal exhaustion; truly appreciative of my mother! Became protective and paediatrician a lot of questions. My sister-in-law helped teach me to bathe my
worried, uncertain about meeting expectations. little boy.
• From then onwards, everything was about ‘her’ and no more about ‘me’. I prayed: • The fascination of a little human being coming out of me was short-lived as I
may God who has given me this gift, give her all things good, and may harm wasn’t pampered or fussed over and dealt with my own discomfort and looking
never befall my daughter! after the baby in the government hospital shared room. Once home, I mothered
with minimum fuss, and trudged through life which is one long continuation of
• Living in a large, joint family, I had a tumultuous pregnancy. Despite my struggles. I realised that our offspring hear us and see us; we are living examples

water breaking, going to the hospital was much delayed, giving rise to many and our words and actions have an impact.
complications and some invasive procedures, which caused minor damages to

the foetus, luckily not permanent. Then, the birthing trauma we both endured • I felt weird during my first delivery as I didn’t feel the expected love or the gushy
didn’t allow us to meet for the next two days, after which I hobbled as fast as attachment. I became overwhelmed, confused, and even sad, and blamed it on
I could to the nursery, and I experienced heaven as I held my newborn against the induced labour. Bonding can’t be forced; it’s hormonal; and, breastfeeding

my bosom. I’d miscarried earlier, so I cherished the moment the bundle of joy definitely helped. In the consecutive delivery, which was natural, I felt an

was placed in my lap. instantaneous flood of adrenaline and oxytocin.