Except for divine love, I believe that a mother’s love is one of the greatest loves on earth. A mother’s love and joy begin from the moment of conception, as she nourishes her unborn child. There is a quiet joy in carrying a baby for nine months and in giving them their first nourishment from her own body. Some mothers even risk their lives and go against medical advice not to become pregnant due to health reasons. Because of love, they take the risk of bringing a child into the world. Such is the immeasurable love and courage of a mother.
When love meant taking the risk
I had a difficult pregnancy with my firstborn child. My doctor warned me not to have another pregnancy as I had a vascular problem (weak blood vessels). My husband and I, however, were determined to have another child, so I decided to go against the doctor’s recommendation.
In the first two months of my pregnancy, I started bleeding. When I went to my doctor, he gave me two options: to terminate the pregnancy or to continue and risk my life. It was a dilemma for both of us. I chose to continue. My husband was reluctant at first, but eventually gave his support.
I was on complete bed rest for a week. At five months into my pregnancy, I started bleeding again. I applied for indefinite leave from work and remained in complete bed rest. I took several medications to prevent miscarriage. The following months were daunting, difficult, and physically demanding. I lay on my bed with my legs extended against the wall for several hours each day. Because I was restricted from walking, my meals were brought to my room.
At seven months, I went into labour and was rushed to the hospital. The doctor used forceps to assist in delivering the baby. I gave birth to a baby girl weighing only 900 grams. I burst into tears of joy upon seeing her.
She was placed in an incubator and stayed in the hospital for one month. When we finally brought her home, she weighed only one kilogram. The doctor advised us to prepare a crib with an incandescent lamp to help maintain her body temperature, acting as an improvised incubator. For more than a month, we could only sponge bathe her because she was so tiny.
With loving care and nurturing, my baby girl slowly gained weight and grew stronger like a normal baby. I remain deeply thankful that I chose to continue the pregnancy despite the risks.
Today, that premature baby girl has grown up and given me two beautiful, kind-hearted, and successful granddaughters. They are my precious jewels in life.
This experience reminds me that mothers often sacrifice their comfort, career, and personal dreams for the love of their children. When we are young, we may not fully understand these sacrifices. It is only later, when we become mothers ourselves, that we begin to appreciate them.
What I hope for my children and grandchildren
As a mother and now a grandmother, I have come to realise that what we hope for our children is simple. We want them to be healthy – physically, emotionally, and spiritually. We want them to grow with good values, compassion, and kindness.
More than achievements, we hope they will live good lives, remain connected with their family, and find their own path. In time, we also hope they will learn to stand on their own – to become independent and able to face life with strength, even without us.
Happy Mother’s Day to all mothers
Excerpt from my book My Innermost Thoughts
A Mother’s Love
Giving without expecting in return
Loving with all thy heart
No matter what
Understanding when others fail to understand
Supporting them in times of sorrow and grief
And most importantly, being there
For thy children in every way
Lorna Ramirez
www.lornasbook.com