Boletín Acercando el Mundo

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Little Akira is already with us, at this side of his mother´s skin.

He was born on Friday, Nov. 28, after a long and quite tough birth.

On Wednesday at dawn Miyuki felt small liquid losses and to the suspicion that it was amniotic fluid we went to the hospital. The doctor confirmed a small scratch at the top of the bag and she was hospitalized.

Since the birth did not start by itself, at 8 in the morning on Thursday 27 she began to been given oxytocin, a hormone naturally produced by the mother during birth and breast-feeding that if it is artificial supply triggers the natural mechanisms of childbirth.

So Miyuki began to feel contractions.

But the issue was not short or easy. During the bike ride I saw Miyuki physically exhausted at times but nothing comparable to that found after 19 hours of continuous effort in childbirth.

At around 3 am on Friday, the contractions were already very strong and Maria Sol, the midwife who was looking after her announced that the cervix was dilated enough to allow the baby be born at last.

With a Miyuki´s extra effort, Akira was finally able to appear among us.

Immediately the midwife placed him on Miyuki´s chest. When they found themselves face to face for the first time, Miyuki forgot all the past effort to kissed him and showed the greatest joys.

A few minutes later the midwife cut the umbilical cord, the last physical link that unites the baby with her mother, and offered it to me.

I will never forget the first time I took his small body and saw those beautiful eyes watching all around, like wondering where he was now.

After being weighed (3.4 kgs), measured (51 cms) and comply with other medical protocols we went back to the hospital´s room where Miyuki was able to relax and my family came to meet us. We enjoy Akira for a few hours in the afternoon but, surprisingly, a physician informed us that an analysis showed that he could have a small infection and had to be admitted to the neonatal area, where he would be permanently watched.

They were some difficult days for all three. We met him for an hour in order Miyuki breast-feed him and then we had to leave two hours till next visit. So night and day for 5 days.

Fortunately further analysis revealed that it was a false alarm and last Wednesday we could bring him home to begin a new stage in our life.

We have to thank the Txagorritxu hospital team for its professionalism and dedication.

What about Akira? In these few days he has proven to be a quiet baby. He doesn´t cry very much, just to let us know it is time to be fed. After putting him on Miyuki´s chest he relaxes. We are surprised how much can eat such a small person. For sleeping he seems not to have many problems and holds slept 3 or 4 hours until he begins to ask for food.

How much has it changed our lives? The priorities vary and now the most important are his needs.

But the baby keeps you in a state of continuous peace and joy, you only need to look at him to get up the energy. The most magical moment occurs when you keep him between your arms, then you can find yourself saying incomprehensible words and showing the most ridiculous faces without any shame.

Both families are happy. Miyuki´s by the knowledge that we are calm and quiet at home with the baby and mine also because they can share this happiness. We are very excited, the arrival of Akira will offer us as a great learning and an opportunity to give and receive a big amount of love.

Speaking of family, the experience they had it is coming very well to look after Akira. Unax, the first nephew (in the center of the picture shortly after we return from the trip), already has two years and both Asier, my brother, as Amaia, the sister-in-law, are our principal advisers in changing diapers, taking baths, etc ...

We are also learning a lot in the courses that the city of Vitoria offers at very affordable prices to new parents in how to take care of babies.

Unfortunately in this message we cannot talk only of joy, the same day Akira saw the light for the first time, Iñaki Amenábar, a very good friend with whom we share very good moments in the Caracas´ Basque Center was assassinated near his home to steal his van. We want to convey our sympathy to his family and the rest of the Basque community in Venezuela.

Thanks for joining us, wish you the best. Akira, Miyuki and Eneko.

Akira!