Exclusive - Shoaib Ibrahim on son Ruhaan’s birth: The 20 days he was in NICU were very difficult, doctors kept calming us down

Shoaib Ibrahim, who embraced fatherhood for the first time after the arrival of his little munchkin, Ruhaan, is enjoying every bit of this new journey. In an exclusive conversation with ETimes TV, the Ajooni actor spoke about his life as a new parent and called it the most beautiful phase. He also talked about doing daddy duties and how he rushes home wherever he is just to be with his son. Shoaib also opened up about the difficult phase when his son was born premature and had to be kept in NICU for a few days. (Photo: Instagram)

These days wherever I am, I just keep looking at my watch. I want to be home. I just want to spend all my time with my baby. In fact, after he was born I had taken a 10-12 leave just to be with him. When we achieved a new milestone of 300 episodes, I went on the sets for cake cutting but my eyes were on the watch. (Photo: Instagram)

The new duties of fatherhood are going great. Bahut kamaal ka chal raha hai. This new phase of life, the journey is very beautiful. Sach bolun now I don’t like to go anywhere. I feel like just staying home with my son and family. Ruhaan keeps sleeping and I keep staring at him. I trouble him a little bit. When he wakes up, I take him into my arms and keep roaming around with him. I am learning things from Dipika. It is a beautiful phase. (Photo: Instagram)

It was a beautiful surprise and really cute. I did not expect that at all. I knew that she (Dipika) would be planning something or the other. But writing on Ruhan’s t-shirt 'Tere vaaste Kuch Bhi' was a very cute surprise. (Photo: Instagram)

I have learnt how to carry him in arms safely. I have also learnt how to give him burps. I can also now change his clothes. I haven’t been able to learn how to change his diapers. I’ve to learn and slowly, I will do it. (Photo: Instagram)

It would be difficult to describe the changes I am seeing in myself, but all I can say is that the feeling of becoming a father is very beautiful. The things that my father or mother would tell me, now I’ve started to realise how they must have felt. They would tell me stories from my childhood days like “Tujhe pata hai tune kitna pareshaan kiya hai humein bachpan mein”. We would carry you in our arms raat raat bhar… now my mom keeps pulling my leg ab samajh aa raha hai… (Photo: Instagram)

From childhood we keep hearing things like Maa ka pyaar Yaa Pita ka pyaar aisa hota hai but when we grow up we tend to forget these things. But now when I’ve myself experienced things from Dipika’s pregnancy to the delivery, I’ve realised no matter what you do for them in life, you will never be able to repay for the things your parents have done for you in their life. (Photo: Instagram)

Now, the respect for my parents in my heart has grown even more. Now, I realise how it is. Zara si bhi Ruhaan ko takleef hoti hai we get worried.., why is he crying, is he hungry? Is he in pain? So yes I’m learning things. The major change I’ve realised and can feel is that I want to be home with my son. Baaki Kahin bahar jaane ka mann nahi karta. (Photo: Instagram)

Yes, I clearly remember when I first took him in my arms. I was at the hospital, he came out of the NICU and I held him in my arms and started playing with him. I was not able to speak anything and I was just looking at him. Dipika asked me what happened, why are you not speaking anything, and I told her now I’m busy looking at him. He was tiny and sleeping peacefully. He’s still tiny but now he has crossed 40 days and started reacting, zyaada nahi. When we call his name Ruhaan he reacts a little at times. Slowly, I will experience a few more things. (Photo: Instagram)

It was a very difficult phase when he was in the NICU. The initial 20 days, especially the first week when Ruhaan was born and he was in the NICU, were very difficult for us. He was born premature, he was born one and a half months early and as per doctors, the delivery should happen after a minimum 38 weeks. 40 weeks is the full pregnancy term. Starting ka one week was very crucial, doctors were calming us down, everything will be fine and there is nothing to worry but to see him in a situation where he is wearing an oxygen mask and IVs, was difficult. (Photo: Instagram)

But there was always a hope that he will be fine and everything will get better. I felt if God had blessed us with Ruhaan he would take care of him. Yes, today he is fit and fine. It is because of everyone’s blessings. I keep telling him look how blessed you are. People are blessing and praying for you abhi se…(Photo: Instagram)