#vrikshambirthstory,

Hi Anuka, This is Swathi Harinath from Arakkonam. I am your September 3rd and 4th Labor management student.

 My first delivery was an unwanted c-section on Feb 2019. After one year of my first delivery, I came to know about you through Instagram. Since then I started following you silently on Instagram. Your reels gave me so much confidence about trusting our body and the process. Especially your VBAC story is the inspiration for my second pregnancy.

So when I conceived on June 2022 with my second one, I was damn sure that I am going to try everything for a VBAC this time. Attended your labor management class in September. Since 5th month of my pregnancy, I started practicing breathing techniques and pelvic floor exercises which were taught in the session.

And my first kid was keeping me active throughout the second pregnancy unlike my first one. So, when I was searching for a doctor who is VBAC supportive, I came across Joseph Hospital in Chennai. We went for our first consultation during the 7th month and consulted Dr. Tarun Joseph. I expressed my willingness for VBAC and he accepted with a big smile and cleared all our doubts. while coming out of the room, my husband was very much confident that, we will be having VBAC this time.

My doctor suggested a few changes in my diet and asked me to stay active during pregnancy. I was due on 23rd Feb 2023. So, after celebrating my first kid’s birthday on 22nd Feb, we headed to the hospital on 24th Feb (40 weeks already). My doctor was a bit concerned about the baby’s weight. Because the baby was weighing around 3.5kgs during the 38th-week scan.

so when we went for review after the due date, the doctor checked the baby’s head position and informed us that the head is not engaged yet. So even if we try to induce now, the success rate will be 40%. And he asked us to decide how to proceed next. So, we asked him to wait for a few more days to see if I go into labor naturally. she accepted to wait till 28th Feb and asked us to do a CTG before leaving the hospital.

When I went to take CTG, I started having very mild contractions which were reflected in the CTG also. So, I got admitted. But there was not much progress for the next 2 days. On the 26th Feb night around 9 pm, my mucus plug discharged. But after that also there was not much progress in the contractions. So, I decided to go with induction on 28th Feb.

I was induced with a Foley tube at 40+6 weeks. On 1st March, 5.30 AM they broke my water. And started with sintocin through IV from 8:30 AM. I started having contractions at regular intervals. And I was coping with breathing techniques and a sipper bottle.

Since the baby’s heartbeat was on continuous monitoring through CTG, I couldn’t walk or do anything during contractions. Breathing and my husband’s presence were the only saviors throughout. Around 3:30 Pm they paused sintocin, since there was a dip in the baby’s heartbeat (but he recovered quickly). Again, they restarted around 5:30 PM. Since then, I felt very strong contractions and there wasn’t even a single minute gap.

My husband kept on reminding me to do breathing. when the doctor did PV around 8:30 pm, I was still 3cm dilated, but the baby’s head was completely engaged. so, he asked us to bear for two more hours to see if things are progressing. And those two hours were the longest hours of my life till now. By the end of 2 hrs., my husband was broken to see me in so much pain.

When the doctor came in for PV at 10:30 pm, she informed me that I was 5cm dilated. All the nurses in the room were clapping after seeing the progress. I felt confident that, things are progressing. My husband was also confident after that. Contractions were very intense, and again the doctor came in to check in around 11:45 pm. To my surprise, I was fully dilated by that time. Within one hour I went from 5cm to 10cm. Then I started pushing. My Miracle baby came into this world by 12:10 AM with the help of a Vacuum.

Everyone was surprised since the baby was weighing 4.1kgs. All I did was to “Trust the body” and trust the process. My husband’s support was very intense throughout the process. Without him, I am not sure if I would have made it. And tons and tons of thank you for educating us. Lots and lots of love to Ahan and Ayan❤️ Keep spreading the positivity Akka❣️