We Are Pregnant!

A mother shares the experience with the father.

- Kalpana M Naghnoor

Women usually can tell if they are pregnant. Of course it must be confirmed by a doctor but pregnancy usually has telling signs for a woman. Once the pregnancy has been confirmed, then from there it is expecting the little cherub that is going to make the family more complete. There are many books on pregnancy. There is plenty of advice which comes your way. Undoubtedly, though the expectant mother is very happy, but the talks on giving birth to the child, gives the mother the heebie-jeebies.

Careers become the point of worry, or the career break, which is a greater responsibility, to keep abreast with career news, the trends and with added responsibility to get back before you feel too undermined.

A pregnant woman in our times and in our country is always made to feel special. The expectant father too needs to be included in that. The book Emotions and Elations – A Pregnancy Memoir is very unique in the view that author Banani Das Dhar, has included her husband since the very first time they became aware of the pregnancy, and she recorded his emotional and committal journey through those nine expectant months.

A lot of details are shared in the book, like bringing the baby and giving it its share in the family. “On a personal note incarceration right after bearing children. Even I was nodding my head to the facts they were sharing. Being in a relationship with my partner for 15 long years, I was reluctant to an addition in our family.” This is how Ms Dhar felt when her baby was born. She says, “As I was progressing towards turning 30, I decided to step into motherhood. Hesitatingly, I shared the feelings with my husband and – good gracious – we both agreed to welcome the new phase of our life.”