A BIRTH

Birth is a phenomenon which communicates so much joy to everybody around. I realized that when my ‘Ammachi’s loose ‘Chatta’, a dress that is worn to cover the upper part of a lady’s body, tightens, Jacob and I were assured of the arrival of another baby. We all looked forward to welcome our new playmate. Life was so much more placid those days. People had time for each other so a large family was looked upon as a special gift of God as people believed that the more children the merrier. Jacob and I used to go to her often to feel her big tummy in which nestled our playmate to be born. “Radio-Ceylon” was a popular programmed broadcast on radio and which was listened to by most music lovers irrespective of their age. Often when we had the time and when our ‘Ammachi’ was in a relaxed mood she too used to enjoy the music aired on this channel. We used to sit by her and caress her stomach to feel the movement of the baby. We could perceive “the kick” of the baby. We were told by her that the little foetus within her could distinguish the joys and sorrows experienced by the mother. The little life within commences its long journey to learning as early as from the womb of the mother. Nine long months’ and odd days of care and a comfortable existence within the womb would soon end as the tentative date of the delivery was announced. Now, coupled with the excitement, anxiety too loomed large.

One morning when we woke up, there was a lot of hurried activity around the house. ‘Ammachi’ was feeling uneasy; it was time for her delivery. Word was sent across to the doctor from a hospital at Ernakulam. He was accompanied by the local mid-wife, Mani ‘Ammoomma’ (an elderly woman). The preparations were being made like warming water in large bronze utensils, getting clean linen ready and sterling all the other instruments needed during childbirth. Seeing all this confusion, tension mounted. ‘Appachan’ too went into the room where ‘Ammachi’ was in labour and to see if everything was organized. In a few minutes Mani ‘Ammoomma’ came out holding the bronze vessel with blood in it. We expected the worst. But our apprehensions were over when we heard the sharp squeak of the baby, its first cry a shrill “Hwe.., Hwe…” We all breathed a sigh of relief. The doctor came out and announced the good news that we have a new baby sister. She is our little sister and also became our close friend, Mariamma. I always wondered why a new born child emerged into this world on this plaintive note. Is it because the first gasp of fresh air is painful or does the comfort zone of the womb disappear so suddenly.  Giving birth is painful but the pain is nullified by the bundle of joy it brings forth.

While the new born nursed she suddenly fell into a deep sleep, and saw a boundless dream. A sweet smile unfurled on her face. It was awesome and I marveled at it. While watching her charming smile, ‘Ammachi’ would have definitely forgotten all the pains she endured.

Excerpts from

MEMOIRS

An autobiography

by

Joseph J. Thayamkeril

Lawyer, Kochi, Kerala, India.

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