Author of Beneath the Tamarind Tree Isha Sesay is a mom. “My daughter, Naimah Yasmine Kadi Sesay was born on February 17th at 9.24pm in NYC,” she announces in an Instagram post made on March 3.

In the message, which we have posted in full below, she also opens up about “the darkest moments” that followed the birthing of her daughter.

Last year, Sesay spoke to Today about her decision to have a child in her late 40s. She said the decision came after going through a divorce and six years of caring for her mother who had suffered a stroke: “it hit me: Not having a child would be the greatest regret of my life. And with my biological clock ticking down, if I was waiting for the right man to come along before I did it, well, I might just find myself out of time.” [Read here if you missed it.]

Sesay is a journalist, author, and CEO of OkayMedia and is known for her work as an anchor and correspondent for CNN International.

Sesay has been documenting her journey to parenthood. She has been open about her struggles with getting pregnant. And as she notes in the instagram post below, she will continue capturing her experience with motherhood.

Congrats to Sesay! We wish her the best in this new phase of her life!

“My pathway to motherhood has been a long and at times difficult journey. But through it all, I have taken every step girded by faith and prayer, as well as the loving support from so many of you – both near and far. And now that I am finally a mother, my heart feels like a truly foreign organ in my body…it is so full… completely transformed by this brand new wondrous being.

“My daughter, Naimah Yasmine Kadi Sesay was born on February 17th at 9.24pm in NYC. Her arrival was preceded by the sudden onset of preeclampsia which unleashed skyrocketing blood pressure and in the hours that followed hemorrhaging, toxemia and fluid overload. In the darkest moments all I could think about was my daughter and she provided the strength that I needed. There are no words to capture my gratitude for the round the clock medical care led by my outstanding OB/GYN Dr. Clarel Antoine and supported by so many others at @nyulangone and just as critically the mind-body-spirit care provided by my doula @mslemonhoney who was by my side in the delivery room and throughout everything that followed. ‘Thank you’ seems inadequate for all the people who literally saved my life!

“Those difficult days are behind us and Naimah and I are thankfully back home. In the blink of an eye, my child has removed all traces of who I once was and what I considered to be important. In keeping with the meaning of her first name, ‘Naimah,’ she is indeed my peace. She is my blessing.

Thank you to all of you who have followed my pregnancy journey, checked on us, prayed for us, and sent constant well wishes. We love you!

And I can’t wait to share the triumphs and travails of motherhood in the days ahead. ❤️❤️❤️”