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Pregnancy
001-067_84183
10/30/05
2:29 PM
Page 9
F I R S T I WA S E X H A U S T E D , sleeping the moment I came home from work. Then I was irritable; there was nothing my poor husband could do that was right. When my breasts started to become larger—I had been waiting most of my life for that—I knew I was pregnant. I didn’t feel so well, but at least I had the breasts—delicious, unexpected, and entirely welcome. By the time three months had passed, my waistline had begun to go, but I felt fantastic. I was an Amazon. I was glorious. I could conquer anything . . . until my ninth month rolled around. I had become heavy and impatient. Thank God for Lamaze class: dozens of women maneuvering through the revolving doors of that old hotel on 42nd street, winding their way to the ancient and wise Elizabeth Bing, who waited patiently while we took deep breaths and our husbands massaged our backs and taught us when and how to pant. I miscalculated all my contractions when I went into labor with my first daughter and was nine centimeters dilated by the time I reached the hospital. As I was wheeled into the delivery room I turned to my husband and said, “Did you hear that lion roar?” “That was no lion,” he said, “that was you.” She was rosy and pink. She looked like a little Russian peasant. Definitely Natasha. Two years later, back in the hospital I’d scarcely experienced the first time, I waited for my second little one. And wait I did, all through the night, watching the tugboats and the lights on the East River, falling asleep between contractions. By 8:10 A.M. that Saturday morning Katrina was in my arms. Then and now, the truth is the same: I loved my pregnancies and I didn’t want to miss a minute of my births. I was lucky to be able to have my children naturally. I wanted to breastfeed them and I did, pumping out milk when I went back to work. The memory of the rocking chair with them nuzzling and touching my face with their little hand s. . . it’s the best thing. Just the best thing.
Looking Back
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Lena Tabori the mother 9
Job: 05-47076 Title: Little Big Book Of Pregnancy (06-AC18971)(48) 150#B Dtp: 36 Page: 8-9