Birthing with Love and Joy:
Anshu and Abhik’s heart-warming birth story
Anshu heard a lot of negative stories about birth. Nearly all her friends had a C-Section, and she was keen on enjoying an unmedicated vaginal birth. She travelled from Kolkata to book with us at 29 wks of her pregnancy.
At 33 weeks, Anshu came for a routine check and complained of a fluid leak. On examination the cervix was found to be 3 cm dilated, but the bag of water seemed to be intact. Anshu had not experienced any waves or discomfort. She was admitted for observation and was administered steroid injections to help her baby’s lungs to function in the event of Anshu birthing prematurely. However, Anshu remained stable so went home.
At 35 wks of pregnancy, Anshu’s waters started to go. Anshu and Abhik remained calm despite the anxiety expressed by her family. The childbirth preparation classes had empowered her with knowledge and confidence. She had a hot water shower, ate her breakfast, packed her bag and came to the hospital.
On examination, the cervix was found 3 cm dilated. Her waves were irregular. A decision was made to augment her labour. Soon she began experiencing stronger waves at a regular pace. Anshu remained calm, sipping on fluids, and enjoying her fruit. She had a hot shower and sat on the birth ball while she read the birth affirmations she had chosen for her labour. She continued with her exercises and her smile!
The midwife was meticulously monitoring Anshu and her baby’s well-being. Anshu was given antibiotics as she developed fever midway through her labour. 3 hours later, Anshu was exhausted and found it difficult to cope with the waves which by now had further increased in intensity. But the love and support of her midwife and doula kept Anshu going. She found comfort in talking to her baby in between her waves while gently rubbing her belly. Soon Anshu felt the urge to bear down and was fully dilated. At this point she was close to giving up. But the obstetrician, midwife and her doula encouraged her with each wave. Four hours later, Anshu birthed her baby girl into this world. She had tears in her eyes as she tenderly hugged her little baby.
Anshu was on cloud nine having achieved the birth she wanted.
