I'm an obstetrician & gynecologist who bakes for relaxation. My signature pastry is the French macaron which I enjoy giving to friends and family. When I have macarons available, I also give them to new moms. These three stories are about gifting macarons to celebrate childbirth.
Her childbirth was agonizing. The epidural helped but still, the pain and pressure were almost unbearable. While pushing veins were popping out on her neck and forehead, sweat beading up on her face, all of the muscles in her body contracting, bearing down with all of her might, at the same time she was pushing she pulled back against the pain. Between contractions trying to compose herself to get ready to push through the pain yet again and again. The intensity of the moment was overwhelming. When will this be over, when will the pain go away? Finally, the baby was born and the pain subsided but she still had the look of horror in her face. Sweating, panting, trying to understand what had just happened. The idea that she was a new mom, the crying baby, the exhaustion all so overwhelming. Suddenly, she propped herself up on her elbows, calmly looked down at me, and asked "don't you give your patients macarons when they have a baby?" Everyone burst out laughing, the tension in the room melted away, and yes she got her box of macarons.
The pandemic hit shortly after she became pregnant and the world was cast into the great unknown. With all of the uncertainty, the couple fled the city, which was the epicenter, to live near her mother in a safer small town. The pregnancy progressed uneventfully and she decided to stay to have her baby where her mother could be close by. Her labor and delivery went smoothly and she had a healthy baby girl. Later that day I brought her a box of rosewater raspberry macarons to celebrate the occasion. She told me that they were the best macarons she had ever tasted. In the city, she worked down the street from a Ladurée shop and would occasionally treat herself to their macarons. She said my macarons made Ladurée's taste like plastic. I told her that I was sorry I ruined that for her. The intense flavors of my macarons were a hit with the happy, healthy new mom.
She lovingly called her unborn baby Little Bit. The typical new mom-to-be, both excited and anxious about the pregnancy, delivery, and life thereafter. She is a dear friend and invited me to her baby shower. I had never been to a baby shower before and was uncertain about what to bring or expect. I had made macarons for her wedding reception and she always enjoys the macarons that I share. So, I decided to give the gift of macarons for the shower. I previously wrote about this special day at Macarons for a Mom-to-Be. It was a day full of friendship, support, laughter, and love from the best group of friends anyone could have. She was surrounded by friends who love and care for her, such a special day indeed! After Little Bit was born I asked which flavor macaron would she like for me to bring her to the hospital. She said, well I really would like some of your chocolate chip cookies. So naturally, I made and brought her some.
