#VrikshamBirthStory

Hi Akka, hope you are doing good. Sorry for the late post. But really wanted to cheer every woman there that everything is possible and it goes extraordinary when the husband is the supportive. Here comes my birth story with 19 hours of labor in my 38th week.

I am your august labor management student and I gave a natural birth to my little Princess.

I am from USA and it was only me and my husband who faced our entire pregnancy journey. Due to COVID restrictions we were unable to bring anyone from our family.On Oct 1, 2.00 PM my water was broken partially. I was really cool, took hot shower, had my lunch and we were really excited with happy tears that the day has come to meet our Angel.

Meanwhile my husband made sure I am relaxed, he did some pending household chores and arranged things to head to hospital. I was taken swab test and confirmed it’s a sign of labor around 3.30 PM. Then I was taken to the labor ward and did not get my contractions. Around 4 pm I was given half a tablet to induce labor however no changes until 7 pm and again I was given a rest of the tablet around 9pm. Meanwhile I started doing ball exercise and walking from 3 pm till 11 pm.

As I had no contractions after one whole tablet, they induced my labor with the drips and I started having mild contractions around 10 pm and i was given an option of epidural or pain killer. I refused to take both and was managing with the breathing exercise, Ball exercise and continuous body movement. Later mid wife suggested for a painkiller and my husband preferred to go for it. Though I took it with the heavy heart, I must thank the mid wife and husband for suggesting it.

After the pain killer, I slowly went drowsy and went to sleep till 2am. My husband gave a mental support to my mom in India sharing my pictures in the labor room saying I am doing great. Then I started to get my contractions more often and my dilation was gradually increasing from 2cm to 4cm around 4 am. As time passed, I was dilated to 10cm at 7 am and then I started to push. I was trying so hard to push with all the techniques I learned as the pain killer effect would fade in next few hours and I lost the chance of taking epidural anymore. I must thank my nurses in the labor ward who cheered me. Though I asked them if I am doing it right on my every contraction, they always answered me with a smile that I am doing great and continue doing that. Because of the pain killer I felt drowsy and the midwife was so cool saying take a nap and try pushing later. They were so supportive throughout the labor and the life saver was sipper bottle that you suggested.

My husband was right next to me massaging and giving me water throughout my labor and when the baby’s head was seen my husband cheered me and midwife helped me with the tug of war towel labor position. Then the midwife brought a mirror and motivated me showing the baby’s head. On seeing my baby’s head, I somehow got all energy and pushed very hard and, in my 3rd, push my baby was almost out and I was told to stop pushing as the doctor did not come. I waited for 2 mins with all urge to push and when the doctor was in, I pushed the next second and my princess arrived on Oct 2nd, 9:05 am.

She was in NICU and treated for jaundice and I had fever for 3 days after my delivery. It was 7th day after my delivery I started cooking and doing light household chores. As a family we faced all hard times together.

She is 3 months now and still it’s only we both who are taking care of her. Of course, my husband plays a major role in handling everything. He never failed to change diaper, put her to Sleep and gives me rest.

I must thank you for sharing your knowledge and the way you educate us. Your breathing technique, ball exercise, Kegels, perineal massage, sipper bottle and being active during labor did magic. Lots of love to you and your family akka.

Major key – Do not panic, stay cool and everything will fall into a line.

  • Gayathri Ramkumar