The birth was complexly routine as far as the hospital staff were concerned, but it was also routine to keep mother and child in for two days afterwards in case any ‘abnormalities’ developed. In Soom’s instance there were none, but she was glad of the rest. She had had no idea how tired she would be after giving birth.
The incision hurt, but the doctor assured Soom that that would pass within a week or so and since she was breastfeeding, she recommended not taking any forms of painkiller. Soom found it a small discomfort compared with the joy of holding Shell in her arms and by the time she went back to Baan Suay the pain had become occasional rather than constant.
Everyone agreed that Seashell was a beautiful baby. She weighed two point one kilos at birth, had dark eyes, white skin and
