Today I gave birth to a beautiful baby girl. My heart melted when I held her close in my arms for the first time. I kissed her delicate forehead and prayed that she would grow up to be a beautiful young woman. But in the pit of my stomach there was nothing but dread and fear for her safety.

The nurse came into the room to do some additional checks on my little bundle of joy. As she took her out of my arms, I started crying uncontrollable tears. I felt this overwhelming need to protect her, but I lacked the energy to do so. So, I just watched from my hospital bed as she was held closely by the nurse and taken to her incubator to do various tests on her.

I stayed for many days in the hospital.

Nobody visited.

Not even my mother.