Joy of Birth
by Heather Albanese

When I had Thressa, I was nineteen years old. I was terrified about going to the hospital. I was in the labour room for twenty-four hours. There was a lady in the labour room, who was across the room, and all she did was cry. My mother told me before I left her at home, "If you are going to scream, you put a pillow over your face. You do not let anyone hear you".

I did what my mom said.

When I was ready to have the baby, I went into the case room, and they put me in the position to have the baby. I watched it all. It was so beautiful to watch a baby that you have created being born. After three pushes, out came the baby. The nurse put this little girl on my stomach while she was still attached to the umbilical cord. It is the most beautiful feeling I have ever had in my life.

Background Information

Talk about giving birth and whether or not you have gone through it. What do you think it feels like? How would you or did you feel bringing a new life into the world? Finally, talk about what it would be like to have this experience at such a young age.

Questions

1. How old was Heather when she had Thressa?

2. What does labour mean in this story?

3. Why do you think the lady in the room across from Heather cried all the time?

4. How long was Heather in the labour room for?

5. Why do you think that Heather's mother told her to scream into a pillow?

6. What is the umbilical cord?

7. Do you think giving birth was a good experience for Heather?

8. What was the sex of the child Heather had?