#vrikshambirthstory

Hi Anu Akka,
Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!!! for your patience and guidance during my pregnancy journey, especially clarifying my doubts that I would keep messaging you.

I was suffering from PCOS and vaginismus and decided to join your Feb 2021 Pre-Pregnancy class in the fervent hope that I too will conceive after 4 years of marriage. Through therapy for vaginismus and following your lifestyle changes I conceived in early April, it was an absolute shock for both me and my husband. We then attended your May 2021 Early Pregnancy class and followed your instructions.

During my entire pregnancy, I managed on my own with the help of my husband and his work would take him away from home for days and it was your ‘trust your body’ mantra that gave me the courage. I had a relatively easy pregnancy except for some minor scares which thankfully were remedied through some lifestyle adjustments.

I attended your November Labor management class and December breastfeeding class, for which I cannot thank you enough. I delivered at 39 weeks + 3 days in January. I started experiencing pain the night before and couldn’t have much dinner, I kept doing the breathing and walking exercises and, in the UK, we are advised that we wouldn’t be admitted, unless we are 4 cms dilated.

I called the antenatal unit around 2:30 am and described the interval of my contraction and they said they didn’t think I was in labor since I was speaking quite well and calm (I don’t know if that is some signal).
I called them again at 5:30 am and they said the same thing but asked me to come over to get checked, they told me that they would be sending me back home and I shouldn’t carry my hospital bag.

I get to the hospital at 6:30 am and they check me and I was 7 cms dilated, they then proceed to tell me that I am incredibly calm and they really didn’t believe I was in labor when I called them (I felt like shouting a big ‘I told you so’ but smiled through gritted teeth).

I had a forceps-assisted vaginal birth because the baby’s heartbeat was dropping and delivered my baby girl at 2:30 pm, exactly 8 hrs after getting admitted. My husband and midwife kept helping me do the breathing exercises and the birth was just beautiful.

My husband and I were both crying and while the doctor tended to me, we immediately did the skin-to-skin on my husband first and then me, delayed cord clamping and feeding within 1 hour all that you had suggested. Once we got settled, a friend actually chided me and said, you are supposed to scream and shout while speaking to the antenatal unit, who asked you to speak so calmly? You really would have ended with an unplanned home birth 😅 (lesson for next time I guess).

I have been meaning to write to you and thank you and I know I am almost 9 months late but better late than never. Your guidance, exercises, and positive vibes meant the world to me, I hope and pray you continue to touch the lives of countless other women as you have done mine🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽