09.01.2019–Wednesday 

Wednesday we took off from work as I was schedule for the last growth scan before the delivery at 38 weeks and 4 days. It was ok, baby not yet descended but all parameters were normal.

I woke up at midnight to go to rest room and I felt a PLUCK popping out with light colorless leakage mixed with light red blood. We are getting little closer – I thought to myself

10.01.2019 – Thursday

I decide to stay safe, work from home and go to the office on Friday for Pongal celebration. I felt something like mild cramps, but I didnot considered I might be in labor.I was very busy during the day, I took a swim, eat very little.

In the afternoon I decided to call Jayashree and tell her about the plug. She advise to go to the hospital and have it checked. To be honest, I was not too happy about it since I could not tell anything different and I had to pack the hospital suitcase. We went anyway, the doctor on duty confirmed the water was not broken and baby hasn’t descended yet. She offered to get admitted for observation but I decided to go back home.

We went to bed quite early, planning to watch a movie but I spent most of the evening in the bathroom pampering. Daniel fell asleep and the cramps started to grow in intensity. Even though I downloaded an app for contraction monitoring and there was definitely a pattern in the “cramps” it did not cross my mind that this is it –  I am in labor. I expected the pain to be much more sudden and powerful.

11.01.2019 – Friday

I was able to fall asleep between few waves of pain but these were getting more intense. Around 1:00 I asked Daniel to check the cervix but he could not tell any difference and went back to sleep. I could not sleep, I was a bit disappointed and went outside for a walk. Standing, the pain got stronger and stronger and I had to stop in between the waves. After 20 minutes I went back inside.

At 3:00 I woke up Daniel he checked the cervix and he could feel something, baby’s head maybe. He called Jayashree and she told us to go to the hospital. I took a shower, packed and started around 3:30. ECR was empty and quite, the ride was smooth – I had just few bearable contractions.

We reached the hospital before 4:00 and I was checked by the doctor on duty. She confirmed dilatation of 4-6 cm and that I will give birth today. I was happy to hear and told myself to hold on. The gynecologist on duty came as well and confirmed dilatation of 6-8 cm, delivery in the next 2 hours. I was even more thrilled and fell a sudden urge to go to the toilet. Daniel helped me reach the bathroom in the lobby where I had 2 strong contractions.I could definitely feel the baby’s head. I started to moan loudly and felt good there was none around (except a guy sleeping undisturbed on a bench). To distract myself during the contractions I began counting and set as goal to hold it till 20. It went on like this.

I the lobby I had another 2-3 contractions leaning on my suitcase and I didn’t feel like moving, my mind was blank. I kept telling myself out loud. This shall pass as well! This shall pass as well!

I was taken in a wheel chair to the room, but I could only stand 2 contractions in the bathroom, the baby’s head was dropping and I could feel an unbearable burning sensation. I was then taken into the labor room. The pool was getting ready, it was half full. A nurse wanted to shave me, I refused (I shouldn’t have – easier hygiene after birth in case of stitches). I entered the pool, I felt really good, comforting. They poured more hot water, it felt even better. Daniel was behind me, one leg in the pool supporting me.

The contractions we very strong, I was more concerned about baby’s head and the unbearable burning sensation. I could feel the baby head with my hand. I could even see it. The urge to push felt more like the baby pressing to come out. The two doctors were trying to support my perineum and told me the baby is coming with the next contraction if I push. I brave myself telling myself to push in order to avoid another contraction, in the end of this the baby will be here. And I did. I saw the shoulders and felt the baby sliding out of me. They put it immediately on my chest, the back towards me. The head and feet were purple-blueish. Long limbs but very small altogether.

I open the legs and asked Daniel what is it! A boy!!! He squeaked and cried a little. I kept saying ecstatic “my baby, my baby, my baby” – I was happy, Daniel had tears in his eyes. I asked about the time 5:06, 11.01.2019 – Baby of Adina (how he was later named in his medical record) was born.  They cut the cord while I was still in the tube and took to baby to be checked by the pediatrician – Daniel went along with the baby behind a curtain in the labor room. I could hear he was doing fine.

Jayashree arrived, the baby was faster. The doctor stitched the tears I got which was extremely painful despite the local anesthesia I received.

They brought the baby and we tried feeding – I worked. I was shortly taken into the room and a whole new life started.

While having my pregnancy followed at the renowned hospital chain in Chennai, I felt I needed a more natural approach to birth. After a thorough online search I decided to visit Bloom hospital. I was interested in the natural birth option, eventually water birth while having a strong medical backup in case something goes wrong. We very well welcomed and explained the whole approach, we visited the facility and enrolled in birth preparation classes. I immediately felt confident that the Bloom staff could supportneeded.

The preparation classes were an excellent occasion to get to know Jayashree, the staff and the hospital premises. The pregnancy monitoring and the delivery went as expected. We were treated very professionally, we were given the space we needed as a new family.

I thank Dr. Nazeem for following the pregnancy, Dr. Kalaiselviand theDr. On Duty for the assistance at birth, Dr. Jayashree for giving me the confidence needed to follow myinstinct and to all the nurses (especially Meenakshi and Suganya) for the care and friendliness given.

I heartily recommend Bloom hospital for delivery.Dr. Kavitha Gautam built an excellent and supportive team which will give each family the assistance and support needed.