Baby boom

In the last week or so, I can't help but feel that there is a baby boom in progress as I type. Some have become first time parents while a few others are welcoming their second child into the world. I may have a long way to go so far as this tag is concerned but I have been exposed to how the whole process works, despite my unwillingness to learn. I guess a senior of mine was right when she said that she really missed having a sister in her family who could be around to help during the delivery. Having a brother wasn't of much help, she grumbled. I wasn't around to welcome both my niece and nephew into this world but I was very much there during the pregnancy.

I got my first opportunity to see the workings of the maternity ward in the State Hospital three months back. My cousin delivered a healthy baby boy on 1st October. The smell of blood drifting into the corridor where anxious family members waited: first, for news of the baby's sex; and second, for the mother's condition, is still fresh in my mind. I have to admit that the hygiene standards in this country are appalling. If you are able enough to shell out big bucks in some fancy private hospital, then maybe you are spared this ghastly experience. Otherwise you have to see it to believe it. Back then I kept thinking, wow! This is the best room in this hospital and it is still below average. I cannot imagine the standard of the general wards. When my own sister was admitted in one such room, the bed next to her was kept empty for convenience by one of the nurses who was also our distant relative. She said the room would be too crowded otherwise. If I had any say in this, I would have asked the nurse to let it be. Some needy pregnant lady could have used that space. I don't know what was the scenario then. Maybe there weren't many such cases at that point in time, and thus my family went ahead with the plan. Because, otherwise, my father would never have agreed.

Today, yet another beautiful baby girl is being welcomed by a family. I hope she grows up to become strong, wealthy and wise. Congratulations to the parents and to the rest of the family. Cheers.