For Dipali, C.A and Oorjas

Dipali had tagged me to talk about the 6th photo in my 6th folder and I did a post on that and completely forgot to mention what triggered it because I could not post the photo without the permission of the people in it.
In the past few weeks I may seem have neglected a few tags. Please forgive me if it was one of yours - it is just one of those phases when I am too busy without accomplishing anything. Ya pretty much like the kind of thing that happens inside out government offices. Must have caught the virus when I was in and out of one of those buildings for some permission.

Now Cantaloupe's Amma (when I see these lovely cantaloupes I try and imagine what cute cantaloupe baby looks like in real life. Something I'd want to grab for sure) - So Cantaloupe's amma tagged me to talk about how I became a mom. I am not sure if she knows that my son is 27 years old and I really have to work hard to remember some of these things. I am horrified because I look around and see the attention with which today's young mothers record every minute of their motherhood and then here's me! is my reptilian brain still unevolved?
(Apparently reptiles do not have maternal instincts like mammals - so some of them would even eat their young!!) Thank god my son didn't get eaten!
Naaah, I am not so bad. I was just trying some humor there.
Ok. So what is the tag about?

1. Was your first pregnancy planned?

Oh ya, once I had completed my M.A. it was generally assumed that I'd graduate to motherhood. M.A. to M.A.M.A -a natural transition, isn't it?

2. Were you married at that time?

Planning a pregnancy without being married wasn't considered a great idea in my time. Is it very popular now?

3. What were your reactions?

Don't remember. But I assume it was a bit of a shock, surprise and may be a bit of anxiety too. That it was actually happening.

4. Was abortion an option for you?

If you are asking about availability of choices, yes. Abortion was legal by that time.
But there was no reason for me to consider the option.

5. How old were you?

22.

6. How did you find out you were pregnant?

God came and told me in my dream? Come on... no signs of monthly cycle and then my gynaec confirmed it. PCOD wasn't so common back then.


7. Who did you tell first?

The friend who had accompanied me to the clinic - or was it my sister who had come along?

8. Due date?

May 21. But the boy chose to arrive 3 days late!!

9. Did you have morning sickness?

No. Thank god. Actually I never threw up once during pregnancy. My grandmom had predicted that the baby wouldn't have much hair and was she right! I had a totally bald baby! I should have called him Cantaloupe actually!!!

10. What did you crave?
Nothing special. But I was hungry all the time - yes. ALL THE TIME.

11. What irritated you the most?
I was put under bed rest from the 5th month and I hardly got to go anywhere. And people were watching every step I took.

12. What was your first child's sex?

First (and only) child - Male.

13. Did you wish for a child of the opposite sex?

I had always wanted a girl child. Since I did not know then that this was going to be my only child I had no preferences.
But later some people commented on how lucky I was to have had a son as the first child. Their logic was that there was no pressure on me to have another child. Those were still the days when a male child was a big thing and people went through several pregnancies until one arrived. At these times I used to say that had i known if I was going to have only one child I'd have been happier to have a girl. Little did I realise the effect this was having on my son until one day when he was around 5 or 6 he simply said "I know you did not want be to be born." I was shocked and asked him what made him think so. And he explained!
Imagine how that made me feel. Almost as if I was a reptile and had just eaten my young!!

14. How many pounds did you gain during pregnancy?

I was huge. I had a big baby. And I was eating enormously. And I wasn't allowed to exercise - remember the bed rest? If not go back to Q 11.

15. Did you have a baby shower?

Nope. Not even the usual religious ceremonies like the bangle ceremony - remember the bed rest? If not go back to Q 11.

16. was it a surprise or did you know?
You are not paying attention. Go to Q 15 and then 11

17. Did you have any complications during pregnancy?
Now we are talking. Yes. Had to have a Shirodkar ligaturing done and then bed rest till completion of 36 weeks. The child was feared to arrive any day after removal of the ligature and our boy took his time and arrived 3 days late!

18. Where did you give birth?

Chennai - it was called Madras then. A clinic off G.N.Chetty Road.

19. How many hours were you in labour?

Drips started around 4 p.m on 23rd and the baby arrived a little after 2 on 24th. Not sure if I was in labour all through it.

20. Who drove you to the hospital?

Heheheheh. I walked the 1.5 km to the hospital with mom. Wasn't allowed to use an auto or cycle rickshaw and my parents did not own a car then.

21.Who watched you give birth?

A family friend, the ayah, nurse and my doctor.

22. Was it natural or C-section?

Natural.


23. Did you take medication to ease the pain?
What pain? I was given drips to INDUCE pain.


24. How much did your child weigh?
He was quite huge. Don't remember the details. 8 pounds perhaps.

25. When was your child actually born?

A little after 2 in the afternoon.

26. What was your reaction when the doctor announced the sex of your baby?
Was too tired to register. I bet it was something like "ya, whatever."

27 What was your first reaction on seeing the baby?

I wrote a post on this some time ago here.

28. Did you cry?

Not then but a few hours later.

28. What did you name him/ her?

Siddhartha.
Might as well use this opportunity to revel in some momma pride.

29. How old is your first born today?

Now this is touch for me. I am not too good with numbers that go beyond a single digit. give me a few hours, I'll come back and tell ya.
27 y 9 m 10 d

PHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEW!
Not bad, I managed to remember most of the stuff.
So C.A.,I await the check. Paypal payments accepted too. :)


P.S.
While on tags etc, I want to thank oorja for the awards she gave me. Not 1 not 2, 4 all in one go. One more than a Jackpot. I am touched, happy, humbled - all at once. Thank you!


Thank you!



Thank you






Thank you!