July 26 2002 The Day I Met The First Love of My Life.

July 26 2002, 8:14 pm

I was the happiest woman in the world. I was in pain and crying, but not because of the pain but because I had a 9.5 lb, 23 inch little tiny human that belongs to ME.  I made him... he was mine.  God gave him to me. I was speechless after 18 hours of horrible pain without painkiller, screaming, being mean to the nurses, doctors, my grandma and Tio Titian.  I couldn't stop crying. They took him to bathe him and Tio Titian followed the nurse and I felt so empty for like 10 minutes.  

But let me start from the beginning...

I had my last appointment on July 24th, because my due date was on the 27th, so I went to the doctor, sat down in a very comfy chair, they listened to the baby's heart and everything was fine.  When the doctor checked me, I was about 1 cm open, they told me to go home and not to eat anything heavy, just to relax be ready because the baby was coming soon.

I did went home and my Papito (my grandfather, who I also call him Don Tano) made me the biggest Sancocho (which is a Dominican soup with chicken, pork, ham, beef and so many vegetables and viandas, and a bunch of other stuff, it literally takes a day to make...  I AM NOT SURE ABOUT POSTING A RECIPE) with white rice and avocado.  My grandmother made me a Habichuela con Dulce (Dominican Sweet Beans, I will post the recipe soon). We usually eat Habichuela con Dulce on Easter, but that was what I was craving and they made it for me (remember this was their first great-grandchild).

I did threw up the whole nine months, so I ate my Sancocho and Habichuela con Dulce, I threw up and I served myself some more and threw up and serve myself, etc until I stopped eating.  At night, my grandmother made me the nastiest Ginger and Cinnamon Tea (I do love ginger and cinnamon tea but because of my pregnancy, I couldn't even smell cinnamon) according to her it was going to help me dilate and she made me go inside the bathtub with the water extremely hot, it was relaxing but I just wanted her to leave me alone.

On July 25th, I went back to the doctor's office as I was having pains and contractions, but they were so far apart.  When he checked me, I was 3 cm, so I was in active labor and they took me the hospital, my grandmother and my Tio Titian were my companions.

When I got to the hospital, they checked me in and took me to the maternity area.  My doctor came to see me, he just wanted me to know that he was there, he wasn't going to go and that everything will be fine, not to eat any food or drink water, just eat some ice and if I wanted to, he told me I could get up and walk and squad every time I had a contraction (SERIOUSLY!!).  I did go for a walk with my Tio Titian, but 2 minutes into the walk... he was not willing to walk with me anymore, because I screamed at him, so we decided not to walk.

My Grandmother sneaked some Habichuela con Dulce into the hospital so I did not eat ice.  I did eat some Habichuelas and when I threw up, Mami Negra hid it from the nurse.  Tio Titian left because he was tired, but he promised to come back the next day.

July 26th... Tio Titian came back at 4:25 pm, I remember the time because Mami was watching Laura.  He brought some food for Mami, she had to go to the waiting room to eat it because it smelled disgusting.  I was mad at him, because he came late.   He did have to work for at least half a day, but still I was so mad at him. I was out of Habichuela con Dulce, I was like 6 cm dilated, in horrible pain but determined not to get any kind of painkillers.  He sat down in front of me and I was so grumpy...  I started throwing ice at him, he got so mad that he got up and took the cup, so I was crying and he gave me back my cup full of ice.

I really can't tell you how long it took, but out of nowhere I was in LABOR; fully dilated and in horrible pain.  Mami was on my left, touching my head and praying, and I just screamed at her.  I remember telling her to please stop praying and hold my hand.  Tio Titian was in a corner really close to the bathroom and when I looked for him again, he was gone. 

The doctor told me when I tell you to push, you push, so he sat down right in front of me and he said do not push, your son moved and he is not in breech position, he just sat down... WHAT?! I told him I need this baby out, he said we will do everything possible, if not, then you will have an EMERGENCY C-SECTION... OMG! no no no no. God did listen to my Grandmother's prayers and out of nowhere, he was ready to get out. 

We had a new problem his head was too big (around 15 inches) so they have to cut me (remember NO ANESTHESIA).  I screamed so loud, I was crying so much and the doctor said to push, so I did and my baby came out.  They put him on my chest and I did not feel when they were doing stitches  (6 by the way), I didn't feel anything, it was just God, my baby and me.  They cut the umbilical cord, by then Tio Titian was back in the room, he was counting the baby toes and fingers and when they took him he went with him.

Here I am, 15 years later and it is so true what Mami Negra said, she told me that every year I will remember the day that my firstborn was born with every little detail.  That will be my gift from God, and it is true.  I am so thankful that I can remember that day, that Tio Titian and Mami were there, that everything went good.

I am thankful of the young man that he is, I do pray for all my children everyday and God does answer.  My son is not perfect but his imperfections are making him grow.  He is very lovable and he is a very tough cookie.  He has so much love to give, I always say to him that he reminds me of my Papito.  He is So Strong, with so much to learn, but God is helping me guide him. I am so PROUD of him. I love him so much and I will be there all the way until God allows me to be.  HAPPY BIRTHDAY MY TATA!!

Sincerely, Your Mami

"If you educate a man, you simply educate an individual, but if you educate a woman, you educate a whole nation" - James Emman Kwegyir Aggrey