Emotions at the Birth of a Daughter - Essay Example

Topic: Birth of My Only Daughter I clearly remember the birth of my only daughter when I turned 29years of age. Although we had experienced many ups and downs during my wife’s pregnancy, I made the obvious decision to stand by her in the delivery of our daughter. I must confess that being in the delivery room with my wife was rather scary and I felt quite uneasy for a believed this is the place for women and doctors. The distress on my wife’s face as the contractions came and went send a chilly feeling down my back; she pulled me closer and squeezed my hand harder screaming in silent the pain she must have been experiencing. Was my being in the delivery room and my affectionate kisses on her forehead enough support? Was this enough to let her know that I was there for her by all means? These thoughts constantly bombarded my mind as I closely watched her and captured any reaction from her face and restless body. Additionally, I yearned for the ‘aha’ moment that would come with holding my tiny baby girl for the first time. Time seemed not to be moving and, everything felt stalled, I constantly looking for indicators showing that my beloved wife had enough strength to handle the delivery without complications. I remember after two to three hours of constant pain I become worried as she appeared tired and worn out as she struggled through the contractions and occasionally mourned in pain. My thoughts ran around the attendants of the hospitals and the treatment; although she had not complained of any mistreatment I hoped that these were the best nurses and doctors she could have at the moment. Did I know anything about delivery? Yes, in preparation of the big day I went through vast literature on delivery and discovered many things I did not know about women and childbirth. The most amazing discovery was that keeping my wife comfortable and giving her emotional support was critical in safe delivery, and hence why I was on her side and there to see her through the process. The room was suddenly silent besides the several interruptions of painful mourn and restless movements from my wife; I gazed at her and I was lost deep in thoughts. In the painful moment, I could feel the intensity of the love that we shared, I strong grip and the look in her eyes ring a bell on the first time we met, and I fell in love. Today she was giving me a daughter! It saddened me, however, when I looked at her confined in one position on her back and thought that it must be really uncomfortable and tiring. Every now and then I could adjust her pillows to make her comfortable and asked how it felt being the center of attention at the time. The moment was both intense and generated thoughts of fear, delight and sometimes great sense of uneasiness. I thought about all those outside the room waiting for the big moment, I thought about how I would make the announcement to them, I thought about the right words to use and the accompanied facial expression. I speculated on how they would respond to the news, what they would ask on the news and what my answer would be. Each time I would linger through a thought, her squeezing my hand would bring me back into reality. I thought about being in labor, the discomfort and the agonizing pain. Questions went through my mind, yes labor hurts, but does it bother her? Is she capable of handling it all through till the end? Will it reach a time that she will give up and let go? It was like the trial of terror, and the answers were not in range. All I wondered was the way to change the situation and make her see and feel as if she is sharing the pain. Make her feel that I am with her all through and felt her mixed agony and joy of motherhood. She is strong I must admit, or rather the situation channeled her strength to her hand, and she transferred it directly to me. I tried to look strong, but on the inside I wished I could take away her pain. Her grip felt stronger as time went by and at shorter intervals, my instincts told me that the moment would be sooner than later. Suddenly she pulled me closer and whispered to my ears to call the nurse. At last, the baby was ready to be with us physically! Excitement flowed through my body, and I felt rejuvenated and enthusiastic; I affectionately kissed my wife and subconsciously assured her that all would be well. Two nurses and a doctor joined us as soon as I had raised an alarm and pushed me aside to attend to my wife. They carefully folded her legs, which I assumed, was to check on the baby and announced that the baby was coming urging my wife to push. She was asked to push severally, and I had been advices to make her breath comfortably. I held her hand and moved more closely as it tried to make her relaxed and breathe comfortably. “The baby is coming, push”, was all they could tell her. I felt her energy driving through my hand as she pushed and almost rose from the bed. All I could think of was the position of the baby, and at times I wished for a chance to see the other end how the baby is coming out. All the while I watched her face trying to force a smile, and talking passionately to her in a relaxed mood. As I held my wife’s hand, I was lost in deep thoughts and silently prayed for her safety, the voices of the nurses urging her to push slowly faded into the air and suddenly the cry of a new born baby snapped me back to reality. By now, two more nurses came in with towels in their hands to help her with the delivery. They helped covering the kid with clean towels and rest the mother in a still and comfortable position to embrace the baby. I did not understand why they would not let me hold her first, but one of the nurses was kind enough to let me know that it was for the purpose of initiating a bond between the mum and her child. How interesting, I thought and smiled as I watched her kiss the little one’s forehead. Subconsciously, I moved towards them and held the two close to my chest as a strong affectionate feeling swept through my body. This was truly amazing we were now a family and our daughter brought a stronger bond between us. I could not help it, and so I kissed my wife gently on her lips and her forehead and slightly brushed my lips on the little one. I was so happy, wanted to jump up and down, to lift my wife and carry her as I did on our wedding day! I took out the camera and had a few photos taken the three of us all smiles. She was tiny, her forehead and nose resembling her dad’s as her chin and small lips resembled her mum’s. I felt overwhelmed with joy as I watched the two most important women in my life together, one of them too young to comprehend the situation. It was hard letting her go as the nurse took her away to the nursery; we watched her walk out as I held my wife with a side hug, a tear of joy dropping down from my eyes. “We made it”, I told her as I left to go tell the news to the rest. The happiness that filled the air could not be explained as we all watched her in the nursery through the glass windows. She lay in the nursery bed like a little pretty angel hands curved towards her face and in deep sleep so, I assumed. I remember wondering out loudly why her eyes were closed; cant she just open them a little and look at daddy? I had not realized I spoke out loudly until one of the doctors responded with a smile that she would in a few days when she gets used to life outside the womb! Little babies are just amazing; I thought…at last I was a father. Read More