Four days late but just in time for Christmas

CHUDLEIGH, Manchester:

Although 20-year-old Sashanya Hart knew her new bundle of joy could have arrived sooner or later than her delivery due date, she was pleasantly surprised when her baby girl arrived four days later than expected to become the best Christmas present her parents could have ever asked for.

“My original due date was the 21st of December, but I was just excited to have her, no matter if she was late,” Hart told The Gleaner.

The first-time mom said that her initial reaction having found out she was pregnant was similar to the emotions felt during the birthing, only this time there were more joyful tears.

“I cried when I found out I was pregnant because I was shocked, but the pregnancy was okay ... . I stayed away from sodas and unhealthy foods. It wasn’t until in the last part when I started feeling much more pain,” she revealed.

Hart said that after two painful hours, she finally went into labour at the Mandeville Regional Hospital in Manchester on December 25 and successfully gave birth at 1:39 p.m. to Paisley Giana Powell, who weighed in at 7.5lb.

“It was very painful ... . I would not have another baby right now,” Hart said with a chuckle.

As the newest member of the Chudleigh community in the parish, newest member of the family, second child for her father Romaine and first grandchild for her maternal grandparents, Little Paisley has certainly added a spark to the family home.

“I didn’t have any plans for Christmas. I actually planned on staying in my bed all day, but then she came,” Hart said beaming.

“My plan is to be the best mother I can be to my daughter. My mother is very excited and I just want Paisley to grow up to be a very intelligent person,” she added.

Having received gifts of baby essentials from corporate donors, Hart indicated that above all things, she wants her baby to know that she is loved.

tamara.bailey@gleanerjm.com