Harshi's Birth

12,35pm, 23rd November, 2006 - 2nd Floor Operation Theatre, Medwin Hospital, Abids, Hyderabad, India.

Yes, perhaps my most precious moment in life. Me, my mom, dad, Taiji, Raju Bhaiya and Bhabhi were are waiting outside the operation theatre. I was nervous and praying that everything goes fine. There was anticipation, fear, anxiety and a host of other emotions that can neither be captured in words nor can show up on face. The doctor whom we were consulting, Dr. Mandira Singh, had walked in to the operation theatre at about 12.15pm. Since then we all could feel each and every heart beat.

The secutiry person at the operation theatre door had be-friended me (in anticipation of a little reward surely) and had allowed me to walk in once into the hall. That was not the real operation theatre. I could not see where the room was. I could only see that the bed where Archa was initially reseted upon had moved (into the operation theatre). After that I was in and out of the main door and was trying to peep into the hall where Archa was taken. All I could see was some other patients and some nurses doing their daily job.

A little after 1.00pm an aged doctor appeared holding a beautiful little doll in his hands. I was peeping through the small glass portion of the door of the hall. The doctor placed the baby into an oxygen chamber. She was my daughter. I knew that and seeing her brought smiles to my face. I was a proud father and I hope to prove myself as a responsible father in future. Harshi was not crying at that time. She was looking around through the glass walls of the chamber. She was very fair, a little pinkish perhaps. At that time I could not stop myself from giving a push to the door. The security person and the nurses inside did no object. They co-operated and allowed me in. I had a look at Harshi. She was my baby, a part of myself and I could see my face in her. She had very striking resemblance to me.

Then the doctor turned to me and I asked if everything was fine. I am not sure if the doctor was very forthright and honest in his reply, but, he said that the baby had swallowed some of its own faeces in the womb and she will have to be in observation for sometime. I held my breath and said "Everything will be fine right?". He replied, "It is difficult to say at this time, but let her be in observation for some time". This was not a plesant response at all. Meanwhile mom, taiji, Dad and Raju Bhaiya had all gathered just outside tha hall. I was tensed, obviously, I told them that it was a girl and she will be in observation for sometime. They were also worried at that time. Mom went and saw Harshi. I think, Taiji also went. Everyone was happy, a little concerned though. I was sure God was very fair to me. He had blessed this child to me and was surely not going to take my happiness away. Meanwhile, Dr. Mandira Sinha walked out of the theatre and I thanked her while asking about wellness of Harshi. She said there was nothing to worry about and Harshi is just fine. Her weight was 2.9 Kgs at birth and this was pretty normal. I asked her about Archa and she said Archa is fine too, though she will have to be kept in post-operative care unit in 3rd floor. The nurses and other folks also assured that there was nothing to worry and everything is fine.

The doctors advised that the baby will be sent to the 5th floor (our room was no. 521 in fifth floor) after about 4-5 hours. Until then she will be in observation. Next few hours were spent in calling up Sheemu, Mousi, Nana and others. Meanwhile, I was checking for baby's health and she was doing fine. I got some lunch for all. Raju Bhaiy and Bhabhi left the hospital to pick up children from school. Taiji stayed on.

At about 3.15pm the hopsital staff brought Harshi to our room in 5th floor. After this mom, daddy and me spent most of the time taking care of Harshi. She was crying because Archa was not available. We were given a glucose bottle and a syringe dropper. We used that to feed Harshi for the first day and night, until Archa came the next morning and took over.

That night, Harshi cried a lot. Daddy went home during the night and Archa stayed in the post-operation care unit. Me and mom kept awake almost the whole night taking care of Harshi. She did cry a lot. Not her mistake, she did not meet .her mom and did not get her rightful meals in the first 24 hours almost. She slept for sometime but would get up very often.

These were the most precious moments. May God give Harshi all that she would every want or need. May God give her all the goods and happiness.