You have been anticipating the baby’s arrival for the past
nine months and preparing yourself, memorising all the dos and don’ts in the
book. Every visiting grandmother and aunt has overloaded you with information
on how to care for the baby, what to eat and what to avoid, how to care and how
to feed. But no amount of advice can prepare you for that moment when your
miraculous creation, your baby, is placed in your arms. And no mother has to be
told how to feel at that time; it all comes to them naturally. Every child is
unique and for every mother, their best will always be the best.
Once home from the hospital, the house, especially the
bedroom, gets a makeover; your fashion magazines and crop tops are out and all
the baby stuff is in. In the case of nuclear families, the mother or mother-in-law
moves in to help out with the initial stages of motherhood and adjusting to all
the changes is not always easy. However, the firsts of the baby, right from
turning on its side, crawling, walking and talking, every milestone makes it
all worthwhile for the new mother.
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“Being a mother is the best feeling in the world because you
are waiting to see a part of you become a new life in the world. Nothing can
prepare you for motherhood as it’s a different experience for everyone. It is
important to have your husband to rely on but your family is equally
important,” says Satchel D’Cruz e Mascarenhas from St Inez, mother of three
month old Jake. “I had to go through sleepless nights in the beginning but once
I observed his routines, his habits, I got used to it,” she adds as she plays
with Jake, who has his own milestone book.
Cheryl D’sa Dsouza from Taleigao was overjoyed when she held
her son Keenan in her arms. For her, the transition from a young lady, to a
married woman and finally to a mother was unbelievable. “When I had Keenan, it
took me a while to digest the fact that I am finally a mother. The change is
immediate – physically, mentally and emotionally, but it takes a while to register.
It’s the constant have-to-be-on-my-toes that is overwhelming, but at the same
time, so rewarding,” says the young mother.
Her support system, that includes her family and friends, has
made her journey from woman to mother worth every second. “Right from my
husband waking up in the middle of the night to change nappies, to my sister’s ‘I
told you so’, to my friends trying to keep me awake at night with their endless
messages for the ritualistic two hourly feed, to my mother and mother in law
constantly fussing over me to eat.. I’m grateful for it all.”
Being the only daughter-in-law to Marina Dias, Sybil from
Moira, was completely cared for during her pregnancy. Even now, young Cayden
shares a special bond with his caring granny. “I was ready for motherhood as I
knew that it would be the next big step for a woman, after marriage. I used to
carry my cousins’ children and I could handle children very well. For me,
becoming a mother was a nice and yet scary moment. I am blessed to have my
mother-in-law who keeps advising me and caring for Cayden. He started walking at
nine months and talking at ten months.”
Talking about the emotions a new mother goes through, Reshma
Shaikh, mother of Araina and Amna, says, “I was sleep deprived which led to depression
and anxiety over my first baby. It was easier the second time as I had my
earlier experiences to learn from. I did a lot of reading from the internet but
nothing can prepare you for the actual experience. I feel both proud and happy
as a mother,” concludes Reshma.
I did a lot of reading from the internet but nothing can
prepare you for the actual experience. I feel both proud and happy as a mother
– Reshma Shaikh
For me, becoming a mother was a nice and yet scary moment. I
am blessed to have my mother-in-law who keeps advising me – Sybil Dias
Being a mother is the best feeling in the world because you
are waiting to see a part of you become a new life in the world – Satchel
D’Cruz
It took me a while to digest the fact that I am finally a
mother. The change is immediate – physically, mentally and emotionally, but it
takes a while to register – Cheryl D’sa Dsouza
