Journey from a woman to a Mom

By Noorussaba Shayan

"Being a mother is the biggest achievement of any woman” but I believe this type of stereotyped statement is given by the women who cannot achieve anything other than being a Mom. But my idea of having a sense of achievement is very different. I am an independent, career-oriented, open-minded woman with high values and very high dreams.

Though I was born and brought up in a very conservative family in a small town but that definitely does not bound me from having high dreams. My career was going quite well with little ups and downs, and my 4 years of corporate job and marriage flies away in the big city of Mumbai. My life was at its best until I realized that something has changed, and I found myself to be expected.

The whole world shattered in front of me, but there was a lot of pressure from all around, and I was left with no choice than to be a mom. From there begins a new journey. The beginning of the journey itself was very painful. In the very beginning itself, I have taken a lot of sick leaves. There was not a single day that goes without nausea or vomiting. Even if I managed to go to office the giddiness does not go off. The conditions get worse with BP fluctuation along with doctor visits. Even though I was continuing my job and the thought of leaving the job after childbirth was a nightmare.

As the days passed by, I have started putting on weight leading to breathlessness while walking, continuing with vomiting and nausea. It becomes difficult to walk and do my daily routine work. The experienced moms teased me saying "It’s just a beginning, life will be tougher when your baby will be in your hands. You can't go anywhere, you have to take lots of belongings with you for the baby. Travelling, movies, picnics all will be out of the questions”. My sisters used to share their experiences of labour pain and sleepless nights with their small children. Some told me, “That life gets more complicated when the babies get older. Searching for a school, doing their homework and so on. Your life just revolves around your child and there is no space for yourself”. They teased me to forget about my career and just focus on my motherhood which seems to be very painful and frightening.

The concept of being a mom after taking so much pain is not digestible for me. But I had no choice. With all the fear in my mind, I was admitted in the hospital. The scene of the operation theatre was more horrifying than my thoughts. The tools and the equipment seemed to be the demons which would definitely eat me. I was feeling completely helpless, just praying to God to save me from this trauma. After a few minutes, I heard the voice of my baby crying. The doctor congratulated me for baring a baby girl. I was just listening like a wall with no reactions, then one nurse came forward with my baby in her hands. Removed the cover from my eyes and asked me to see my baby. I touched her with my one finger and then something changed inside me.

After coming out of the OT, my husband came rushing to me and asked me "How are you feeling?” I said with lots of smiles and tear in my eyes "It’s amazing, you know I have touched the moon, really I have touched her cheeks and felt like it ". He smiled and said I was asking about your health and pain.

I realized, one hour back I was in intense pain and worries but now I am on cloud nine. I smiled and kept smiling. Something has changed inside me. The baby was not born alone but a mother is born along with her.

Yes, my life has turned upside down but, her smile, her touch, her feel, her look, everything embraces me. When she searched for me, I feel so valuable as if I was never valued so much. The experienced moms should have told me that, this experience cannot be explained in words and all the pains become very less in comparison to the happiness of being a MOM.

The career is still going on with lot of challenges but my two daughters are my strength who inspires me to take all the challenges. Their sweet talks , notorious deeds and funny acts have given life to our home. There is always a positive energy when they are around. The sadness has vanished completely. To hug our children is the best stress burster whose alternative is not found till date. Trust me! all the young ladies, being a MOM is actually the biggest achievement of life. It makes us strong, patient, endurable and above all, “COMPLETE”.

By Noorussaba Shayan