#vrikshambirthstory,

Hi Anu ka, I was scheduled for Foley catheter induction at 39 weeks because of my gestational diabetes in the morning at 10:00 AM and the midwife inserted it to open my cervix.

They monitored my contractions and baby heartbeat for an hour and sent me back home, I was getting light period-like cramps that were manageable, I prepared some food to distract from the pain and after having my lunch pains were getting intense, I tried taking rest, and used hot water bag to manage the pain and was doing breathing exercises.

Then around 9 PM, I saw slight bleeding we called the hospital they said to wait after 10 min of disconnecting the call my water broke and we called the hospital again they said to come to the hospital.

They started monitoring me and midwife came to check my cervix it was only 1cm dilated then after 2 hours they shifted me to the labor room and checked my cervix it was 3 cm dilated and my pains were becoming intense. I tried the hot shower and hot water bag they worked but still, my pain was getting intense then we called the midwife to check the cervix so that I get some confidence that I am dilating, they refused to do it and asked me to take paracetamol and sleep tonight and in the morning, they will come to check my dilation, paracetamol didn’t work and I was in the hot shower almost throughout the night and in the morning midwife came to check me.

 I was 4 cm dilated then I was asking my husband if I am unable to bear the pain these many hours. I was only 4 cm dilated I will go for a c-section but he motivated me and when the pain was not there, I was like I don’t need any c-section. Then the midwife came and explained the pain relief options and I opted for an epidural they took me to an anesthesiologist to do the procedure and after we are done, they checked my cervix I was 5 cm dilated and I didn’t feel the pain.

I had my breakfast and slept for some time then I got to know the pain again but not that intense then they started oxytocin and the pain was so intense too and my baby’s heartbeat was irregular, then doctors came and they said to sleep on my left then my baby heartbeat became normal.

They said not to eat anything because if the baby’s heartbeat goes irregular again, we might need an emergency c-section. I was just taking fluids from that moment. Then again midwife came to check my cervix it was still the same then I asked for a peanut ball to fasten my labor and after using it I was 7 cm dilated within an hour also my pain was becoming intense too, I used to yell at my husband for the pain he used to motivate me somehow and after 2-3 hrs. I was 9 cm dilated then my pain became still intense every time the midwife and nurses came to my room.

I used to scold my husband that they are not taking care of me  (of course that’s not the truth they used to take care of me very well and reminded me to do breathing exercises ) then after 2 hours I was almost fully dilated then they were preparing the labor room with all the equipment required for my baby and me after delivery and I started pushing after I am fully dilated.

They said to push when the contraction came but my pain was worse and I was giving up they motivated me a lot and after 1-1.5hrs of trying to push my baby girl was out with a birth weight of 3.6 kg and I had an episiotomy to deliver my baby girl as suggested by my doctor, they immediately put my girl on my breast for almost 1.5 hrs.

After seeing her I forgot all the pain I went through and was just enjoying the moment which I was dreaming of for 9 months, and delayed cord clamping was done (the cord was cut by my husband after 5 min of taking our baby out) my husband kept motivating me throughout my labor and reminded me all the tips you taught in the class,

He was the greatest support system throughout my pregnancy, I didn’t expect vaginal delivery as it was induced labor ( I was afraid that it might lead to an emergency c-section but I was wrong), and after seeing the weight as 3.6 kg. I was shocked that I delivered her vaginally, then I realized that weight or anything doesn’t matter if we have trust in ourselves.

I trusted myself and my baby, we both worked as a team to bring my baby out into this world. From a girl who was afraid of delivery and making vaginal birth with so much confidence, you made me stronger, without you this wouldn’t be possible. Forever grateful to you Akka.