I feel blessed to have chosen to
birth at the birth center for my baby’s delivery. After attending the Lamaze
classes with the birth centers director and midwife (along with my husband and
mom) we decided that this is exactly the kind of birth I want – Natural, normal
and without any medical interventions. Even before I conceived, I knew that
C-section was not something I want and the Birth Center’s approach towards
birth seemed to click with me perfectly!
The antenatal sessions were
unrushed unlike the sessions I had at the corporate hospital I was going to
before switching to the birth center. The sessions were good fun with the
midwife adding her touch of humour and funny stories during the sessions … we
would actually look forward to our ANC meetings at clinic. Mainly all our
queries were answered patiently with detailed explanations..this is a luxury
that you don’t get if you are birthing elsewhere.
Of course the way my entire
labour and delivery was handled needs a more elaborate and detailed mention here
because “my dream of having a normal and natural birth would have remained a
dream if I was not at the birth center”. My water broke on Friday morning
and I called the center director to inform her ..of course I was tensed as I
had heard that once your water breaks you need to rush to the hospital/birthing
center. But she was calm and just asked me to eat well and relax and wait till
contractions begin. But wow … there were no contractions that entire day (If I
were going to a hospital I would have had a c-sec delivery within 12 hours of
water breaking). The team at the center monitored me daily for any infections
or complications… but my contractions refused to start for 2 days. Finally
after Day 3 they started me on herbs and homeopathic that kick started the
contractions but not in the rhythm we wanted. Day 4 – again stronger dose of
herbs, homeopathic and breast pump but contractions did not pick up till early
evening and I was sent home. Finally, contractions picked up on Day 5 at 5 am.
During all this the center director and midwife was with me over the phone …
taking my multiple calls at unearthly hours… and guiding throughout.
Finally on Day 5 I was in early
labour. What was amazing is the continuous and 24/7 labour support given by the
nurses. They are part of this amazing team at the center and are extremely
warm, you instantly feel at home with them. They made me squat, walk, climb
stairs – kept me active throughout and also massaged my back with each and
every contraction!! Now isn’t that a real luxury?
Then there was a twist … my
contractions started to slow down and looked like the baby would never come
out. I was disheartened and asked the director to do a C-sec ..yes I never
wanted it but at that moment and after going through 5 days of stress and slow
labour I just wanted to get it over with. And then what did she do … She did a
‘labour dance’ with me!!! She said “Come on … lets dance” and went all over the
room ballroom dancing with me. I don’t know what effect that had on me but it
lifted my spirits and also kick started the labour… my guess is that the
psychological effect triggered the physical labour process.
All through active labour I
decided to labour on the toilet seat and refused to get up and come out ..so
instead of forcing me to come out into the room the midwife came into the
bathroom, sat with me and held my hand through the contractions. Just knowing
that someone is patiently sitting with you and quietly understanding the pain
you are going through meant a lot !! Finally it was time to push and I went
into some kind of trance … all I know is that I could hear only one voice
encouraging me to push out my baby and finally there he was. Such a
cute little being straight into my arms staring at me intently
A huge Thank you to the
entire team for making my dream of a
natural birth come true. I wish the center grows leaps and bounds and touches
many more to-be moms with a wonderful birthing experience.
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