The pregnancy journey-
Alekhya and Vivek booked with us early in their pregnancy. The pregnancy was uneventful except for a few apprehensions in the early weeks of her pregnancy. They attended all the childbirth classes and booked the Doula services at 34 weeks of gestation. Alekhya was very motivated to have a natural, unmedicated birth. She was already doing everything on her part — eating right, exercising right, doing the perineal massages, and staying relaxed and positive.
The labour journey-
At 38.5 weeks, Alekhya felt her water had started to go. After checking with her Doula, she was reassured, had her breakfast, took a shower, and started for the hospital. On reaching the hospital, she was examined (with her consent) and was already 8 cms open.
Alekhya was shifted to the birthing room and soon her Doula joined her. All through, she was quiet and calm just focussing on her breath. She was already bearing down and instinctively shifted between the all-4’s and the side-lying positions on the bed. The Midwives were carefully monitoring the baby’s heartbeat. Vivek was a strong support to Alekhya, maintaining eye contact with her while quietly giving her the strength and reassuring her she could do it. Her birth team ensured Alekhya was having sips of water and juices in between her waves and kept wiping her face with a cool cloth. And they waited…