Having a child did not come easy for Ada Oramas. She and her husband had tried to conceive for two years and, once she got pregnant, it was high-risk.

As she sat in Orlando Latin Market, the 47-year-old grew emotional as she recalled that time in her life 13 years ago — before her only son was born. Oramas said she followed doctor’s orders and was placed on bed rest. At seven months pregnant, her blood pressure rose and she was admitted to a hospital.

“I gave birth fine but they later had to give me a blood transfusion because I lost a lot of blood,” she said. “I felt ill but, thank God, everything came out okay. I had my baby — a beautiful boy.”

Oramas and her husband named him Carlos Perez Oramas.

(LISTEN: Oramas speaks in Spanish about her high-risk pregnancy and what it feels like to be a mother in the below audio clip)

In 2004, the family moved from their native Cuba to the United States. It was difficult in the beginning to adjust to life here, but Oramas said she and her family lifted themselves up little by little.

“I dedicated myself to my son — to be with me, to care for him, to take him to school, worry about his homework, his projects — everything,” she said. “I thank God I have a wonderful son, with excellent grades, honors. I don’t regret anything.”

Oramas said she left dreams behind in Cuba. She had wanted to keep studying economics — but still, no regrets. When she looks at her son, Oramas said she sees a blessing.

“It’s something good that has happened to me,” she said. “What I haven’t been able to do here, he will be able to — study what he likes.”

She said she wants a better life for him.

“Es algo tan grande (something so big) — tan lindo (so beautiful),” Oramas said about being a mother. “It even makes me cry.”