#vrikshambirthstory, Hi Anupama, I am Archana from Bangalore. I have attended your webinar series starting from pre-pregnancy to breastfeeding. Before starting my story, I would like to take the opportunity to thank you for sharing your knowledge, guiding me with different tips during labor, and finally motivating me to “trust my body”.

Here goes my birth story:

I was very active throughout my pregnancy and independently handled all the daily activities. My due date was on 9th November 2022, however, on the late evening of October 1st, I lost my mucus plug. Immediately I called my doctor to inform the same. Since I had no pain/contractions I was asked to come the next day for a regular check-up. Upon check-up (both NST and internal examination) there were no signs of any contractions or cervix dilation. Following this, for the next 2 weeks, I was asked by my doctor to be on rest and I was put on medication to keep my uterus calm/relaxed.

But God had other plans for me, on October 5th I went out with family for a movie and was feeling a little uncomfortable not knowing that I was already in early labor. By evening the pain had increased and I went to bed early to get some sleep. By around 2 am the next day I noticed blood stains and I immediately woke my parents and we rushed to the hospital.

They checked me and to everyone’s shock, I was already dilated by 6cm. I was then rushed to the labor room by 3 am. My water broke and the pain intensified, neither my husband nor my mother was allowed inside the labor room. Although I had no support in the labor room, I managed to remain calm through the pain by continuously doing the breathing exercises that I had learned in class.

At around 4 am I was completely dilated and had the urge to push. With one strong push at 4.06, I delivered my baby boy at 35 weeks 1 day. By God’s grace, the baby was completely normal even though he was born preterm and weighed 2.5 kgs. I had a 3rd-degree tear and my cervical membrane had ruptured due to which I had heavy bleeding from which I have completely recovered. Due to heavy bleeding, we couldn’t perform skin-to-skin contact and delayed cord clamping.

An hour later my baby was brought to me and the moment I saw him I forgot all the pain and the feeling of holding him for the first time was unexplainable.

I once again thank you for all the guidance that you have provided. Looking forward to attending your Infant care webinar.