When I was growing up, I rebelled against my parents, and for a time was unable to get on with my mother. Although things have got better since I reached adulthood, witnessing the pain and effort of childbirth has made me reflect more deeply on my relationship with my own mother.
The Photographer
Shen Chao-liang
Born 1968 in Tainan, Taiwan. Degrees from World College of Journalism and Communications (in Movie Directing and Writing), and from Department of Visual Art, Nippon Engineering College, Japan. Former contributing editor for Chinese edition of Advertising Age magazine. Now a part-time newspaper photojournalist. Has had a variety of photographic works and associated commentaries published in newspapers and magazines. Author of Brand 9.
p.132
"Oh God, why does it hurt so much?" "Do I have to have a baby?" "Can you really do nothing to stop the pain?" The regular sound of the baby's heartbeat coming from the instruments in the predelivery room mingles with the mother's intermittent cries of pain. At her side, the prospective father cannot hide his sympathy and concern, despite his military background. 19:45, 6 April 1997.
p.133
"Every time the nurse told me I wasn't dilated enough and to push harder, I kept asking myself just how much longer I had to keep this up. But even so, experiencing this pain for myself, I couldn't help thinking about my mother when she gave birth to me," the new mother recalled after her confinement. 21:45, 6 April 1997.
p.134
Sometime after 6 a.m., with the sound of the baby's surging heartbeat still ringing through the air, husband and wife finally dropped off to sleep after a taxing night. 08:15, 7 April 1997.
p.135
"You're not pushing hard enough! If you give up half way like that, the baby might get caught up in the cord and suffocate. You must do your best!" With these urgings from the doctor, the atmosphere in the delivery room is tense and serious. The mother pushes with all her might, helped by the delivery room assistant; the father too seems gripped by the strenuous effort. 15:15, 7 April 1997
p.136
At 3:25 p.m., patiently assisted by the doctor and using her last ounces of strength, the mother pushes the baby safely out of the birth canal. The little bundle of life, still joined to mother by the umbilical cord, wriggles constantly. Piercing cries break the previous quiet of the delivery room. 15:25, 7 April 1997.
p.137
After almost 23 hours of arduous struggle, Lina has finally given birth to a son. Although she has almost passed out from exhaustion, she keeps asking in a weak voice whether her baby is safe and healthy. 15:26, 7 April 1997.
p.138
After the long exertions of labor, the mother appears spent and weary. In stark contrast to the calm, collected air of the nurse, the young father, as he soothes his barely conscious wife, constantly throws excited and curious glances across at his newborn son, whom he has not yet seen close up. 15:30, 7 April 1997.
p.139
As the mother gradually recovers her spirits and her strength, the nurse holds up the newly born infant for its parents to inspect. The baby responds to this first meeting of its life with a tender, innocent gaze. 15:34, 7 April 1997.
p.140
Although the mother's nursing technique and the baby's suckling method both need practice, the newborn's air of peaceful relaxation shows that the first skin contact between mother and child presents no difficulties of adjustment. 06:05, 8 April 1997.
p.141
"On the operating table, when I heard the doctor say those things, I really was scared that if I didn't push hard enough the baby might be harmed. So I told myself to push as hard as I could. Now, seeing his little face, I'm very glad I managed it." The joyful mother seems to have forgotten completely the pain she went through. 10:05, 8 April 1997.
After the long exertions of labor, the mother appears spent and weary. In stark contrast to the calm, collected air of the nurse, the young father, as he soothes his barely conscious wife, constantly throws excited and curious glances across at his newborn son, whom he has not yet seen close up. 15︰30, 7 April 1997.
As the mother gradually recovers her spirits and her strength, the nurse holds up the newly born infant for its parents to inspect. The baby responds to this first meeting of its life with a tender, innocent gaze. 1 5︰34, 7 April 1997.
Although the mother's nursing technique and the baby's suckling method both need practice, the newborn's air of peaceful relaxation shows that the first skin contact between mother and child presents no difficulties of adjustment. 06︰05, 8 April 1997.
On the operating table, when I heard the doctor say those things, I really was scared that if I didn't push hard enough the baby might be harmed. So I told myself to push as hard as I could. Now, seeing his little face, I'm very glad I managed it." The joyful mother seems to have forgotten completely the pain she went through. 10︰05, 8 April 1997.
