Parenthood and life (Part II)

After the birth of my daughter, my wife and I were sucked into a life that we have never anticipated, and it was hard, let me tell you.

As humans are never prepared for what comes along with the birth of a child. Friends, family members can tell you everything about their or their friends' experiences about parenthood, and it really doesn't matter until you're faced with your own child, in your arms, waking up at odd hours, every 2 hours pretty much!

The tensions that build up between couples due to sleep deprivation is something to consider, it can be your happiest time, but it can also become a living nightmare.

Going back to the day Olivia was born. She was a beauty of a newborn! I'm not saying this because I'm her father (well yeah I am!), but she was delivered through a c-section and did not have to endure the struggles of a natural birth, yeah babies go through a lot of trauma when they come out of a womb and then on through a tiny hole called vagina! They are basically squeezed out, and their heads deform before coming out. It's traumatizing, luckily they do not remember this part!

When she was out, and the nurse brought her to me and placed her in my arms, I was not totally aware of what that meant. I mean, she was here, she was in my arms, and I am now responsible for her and for her well being.

The doctors had to finish sewing Olivia's mother, and Olivia and I went up to a private room where we spent the first two hours alone.

During pregnancy, we attended several classes where they explained everything you need to know to not kill your child, especially if you're a first-time parent. From holding them to bathing them, how to place them when they go to sleep. There I learned about skin-to-skin, where they tell about all the benefits of that and the bond that is created with your child. It's described as holding your child directly on your chest, making a connection, so they feel you and listen to your heartbeat and get accustomed to your smell. Let me tell you that this is a unique feeling, and it's something that I will never forget.

She was born, she was here, the first hours of life outside went pretty regular, my wife and I were concerned if she was getting enough food. My wife was also concerned about the breastfeeding part, there is a lot of social pressure about this on top of everything else if we should only breastfeed or give them formula. What happens if a mother cannot produce her own milk.

But there we were, handling it the best we could. Then something happened that we were not expecting! The doctors found that Olivia had hip dysplasia, which is very common in early infancy due to their position inside the womb. Olivia had not turned inside, and that was the reason the doctors had to perform a cesarean. For the first 3 months, Olivia had to wear a special harness to provide support to her hip and her joints, it made it more complicated with diaper changing and baths. But after 3 months, everything was okay.

We took her home with us after 3 days in the hospital and then suddenly we were 3!!! Sharing the same space under the same roof. I'm not sure if this is something that parents actually think about, especially first-time parents. One day you're 2, then you're 3, you have a little thing that you have to take care of all the time.