MATERNITY TO MOTHERHOOD

The transition from expectant mom to exhausted mom is really swift. No matter how much you read or refer to books/internet, or draw on the experiences of peers and parents, you are on your own, at least as far as the experience is concerned. Of course, the constant support and help of family and friends' is invaluable, but it does not detract from your learning experiences.

I was so thrilled to have Ved, that the pain seemed ephemeral . After the C-section, I bled for days on end. It amused me that in spite of bleeding thus, combined with the fact that I was nursing my child exclusively, my body still retained sufficient fluids to function. I must admit that I am in total awe of the physical power which women yield after childbirth. Envision this...you nurture a child for 9 months within your womb, you bear excruciating pain to bring that child into the world and live to tell the tale and to top it all, from the moment you hold your little one , your body is readily providing the only nourishment the child needs!! Wow!! Really!

Motherhood has been an extremely rewarding experience. I do not regret putting my career on the back-burner, nor do I resent the multi-tasking that is involved in raising a child without the constant support of family or friends. The best part of being a mom is the constant involvement in every stage of the child's development. I do not mean that in a feminist sense. I am sure that there are men who are equally at ease and as adept at raising a child as women are...but they are in a minority, I am sure. Personally, I wouldn't like to trade spaces with my roomie on this one. Some day, when I take up the career torch again, I will have these years, these memories, these little treasured moments that I spent exclusively with my child.

Ved brought me fulfillment. I am not infallible...indeed I have made parenting mistakes along the way, yet he loves me unconditionally. It humbles me, gives me strength and makes me want to be a better person and a better mom. When those little eyes well up with tears, I feel the pain like a physical whiplash. His uninhibited gurgles, his innocence and his unconditional affection are ample reward for everything that I do. It is and will always be enough!