A Journal of Writings - SABES

MY FIRST CHILDBIRTH SOPHIA PONG
Sophia Pong
In Korea there are two special topics. One is for women a story about one’s childbirth, and
the other is for men a story about one’s army life. If you are a mother, you can never forget
the first childbirth. I can never forget it, too.
After the fifth month of pregnancy my body had started to become swollen. In the ninth
month of pregnancy I had gained too much weight. I weighed about 185 pounds. I had
weighed 110 pounds before the pregnancy. It was terrible. I could not get up out of my
bed and could not wear my clothes and shoes.
My husband said I did not exercise, I became fat and my doctor said, “Don’t worry. You
are all right.” Before the 10th day of the expected date of delivery my blood pressure was
high. My doctor moved me to a university hospital for emergency. I had toxemia. During
the night I had many interns and nurses around me. They were shocked at me and pressed
my belly and legs. After eight hours from the start of the pains of childbirth I had a
Cesarean section. I had my first daughter. I was still bad so I was given a blood
transfusion.
When I met my newborn baby I was surprised and did not feel good, because she was red
and her head was triangular and big. She was ugly and a big baby. She was 9 pounds 7
ounces. Later, when I recovered and returned to my home, my mother in law told me she
did not know me when she visited me in the hospital my physical condition was so bad.
My condition had been very dangerous for me and for my baby.
After one month with medicine my swollen body recovered.
Now the past is a precious memory. I talk about my childbirth with a smile now. My first
daughter has been growing up very healthy, pretty and smart. She loves to learn something
new and enjoys her school. She makes me so happy and moves me deeply sometimes. She
is so precious. I hope she will be a person who will be loved by everyone. She is a gift to
me and my husband.
Asian Center of Merrimack Valley
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