I walked into my mom's room, she called me to watch her size her new clothes. After trying two dresses on, moving to the third she looked at her stomach in the mirror smiling. I asked why she's smiling at herself, she said “I'm admiring my scar”
A scar that gave birth to five children. I could see the pride and fulfillment in her eyes.
I wondered what was going through her mind at the moment.
Was it the moments before our births?”
Was it when she was in the theater?
Was it the moment after our births?
Or was it when she finally held us in her hands, her bundle of joy.”
Whatever moment she was reminiscing was making her smile lost in thoughts as she kept running her fingers through the scar.
A scar, a good one. In fact, a perfect one. As she was lost in her smiling thoughts, my mind randomly took me to a scene I witnessed in a theater during my clinical postings.
During labor, the lady had a major tear which was supposed to be stitched. She was in so much pain, I wished I could take some away to ease her situation. Being my first experience, I was so heartbroken and on the verge of crying, that was unprofessional so I had to put myself together.
I turned to my colleague and said “after this process, someone will be asked “what do you bring to the table?” Women are already on the table!
My colleagues and I were so emotional that one of them said she wouldn't want to put her body under such duress and she's going to adopt kids.
For a period of nine months, your body chemistry is altered. Breakouts, wild cravings, uneasiness, restlessness, consistent mood swings, skin discoloration, even the shape of the nose. For nine months your posture changes, gravity from the force of your protruding stomach pulls you forward with the rest of your body still in constant position. Lying down and sleeping at a specific angle. Oedema i.e swollen legs with so much heaviness and discomfort.
The end product when you finally hold your bundle of joy in your arms.
I've witnessed mothers carry their babies for the first time and their smile is always priceless with joy that knows no bounds especially first time mothers. Motherhood is such a beautiful thing. Mothers should be respected and given the accolades they deserve from their children and husbands.
Gracias
Images are mine