The Search:
Vinod and I preferred alternative medicines like acupressure even before the pregnancy, so when it came to the birth of our baby boy we wanted to have a natural, normal delivery without any medical intervention. We were so desperately searching for hospitals that understood our condition and catered to our expectations. We had enrolled with almost 4 hospitals including a Govt. hospital and none of those hospitals gave us what we wanted.
The Finding:
I was 5 months pregnant when I happened to read an interview of Dr. Kavitha Gautham & Dr. Jayashree in the Tamil magazine Vikatan. We were surprised to find that they had spoken in detail about enabling ‘Water Births’ at Bloom Birthing Centre in Velachery… this was something we had read about and had wanted explore but we assumed that something so extraordinary would not be available in Chennai. Having read the article and checked out their website we decided to pay the birthing center a visit.
The First Impression:
We got an appointment with Dr. Kavitha Gautham the very next day. She was so down to earth, she patiently explained all about natural birth options they provide, clarified all our silly doubts, and boosted our confidence to have a natural delivery. The fact that she said that the husband should also be there in the labour room ultimately made us choose Bloom over any other birthing centre. Dr.Kavitha introduced us to Dr. Jayashree who walked us through this amazing journey.
The Preparation
Dr. Jayashree enrolled us in an ongoing Antenatal session. This was totally new to us and we had never heard about it before. Every weekend Dr.Jayashree conducted a session on various topics related to childbirth. First week we had an orientation session followed by talks (classes??) Natural birth choice, Breastfeeding, Newborn care, Labour room etiquette, etc. There we met many many couples like us, befriended many. We were frequently in touch with most of them in a whatsapp group created by Dr. Jayashree which educated us in many aspects.
Dr. Jayashree also enrolled us in Aquanatal exercise session that both the future parents (us) had to attend.These classes consisted of exercises done in a swimming pool assisted by Ms. Jennifer who is a Mid-Wife & Aqua-natal trainer from US.
The exercise and poses we did in the aqua-natal classes ensured that muscles in the body had been safely stretched and that all parts of the body were relaxed. We were so excited before every aquanatal session. We also practiced the swimming exercise regularly.
We were totally prepared for the delivery on 36th week itself.
The D-Day(s)
Fast forward to the 38th week of pregnancy on September 3rd 2016, at01.00am in the morning my waters broke, I spotted a little blood but experienced no pain. Dr. Jayashree had educated us not to panic when waters break and to leave for the hospital only after frequent contractions start. But as we spotted blood, we called Dr. Jayashree immediately who asked us to get admitted in hospital for observation.
During our final antenatal session she had given us a list of things we needed to carry to the hospital, at the time of delivery, this was already in the car fully packed. All the preparation had helped us be calm.
We took our time and got admitted at Bloom around 3.30am. The Duty Doctor came to us, checked for contractions, and found that they were mild and that dilation was only at 1 cm
The Dining and Dancing:
We got our private room and we got to relax there. Mild contractions were there throughout the day but not very frequent. Dr. Jayashree was in touch over the phone. She visited us around 1.30pm and got us to the labour room. Meanwhile the birth pool had been filled with warm water.
As there was no progress in dilation Dr. Jayashree got us to an empty floor and made me walk, climb the stairs and squat quickly.No progress. She asked Vinod to get me whatever food I like. He got meveg manchurian, masala puri, cheese balls,Chese Sandwich,curd rice,idly’s etc.and a soup. I had all this and started continuing my exercise drill.
Dr also taught us a Salsa move, made us dance on that floor. Finally the salsa had taken some effect and we proceeded to the labour room around 7pm. We were accompanied by Dr. Jayashree and a nurse.
The Laughing and Crying: (Vinod Speaks…)
Aarthy had started getting pain so she got into the birth pool but the dilation was not as expected. So she was on and off the pool, walking and climbing stairs. Meanwhile for every hour nurses were checking the heartbeat of the baby.
As advised by Dr. Jayashree I had carried my laptop in which I had movies, songs and Mr. Bean episodes. In middle of all this drill we were watching Mr. Bean videos.
Around 11pm Dr felt that there will be progress if Aarthy sleeps. So she gave her a dose of painkiller. (That is the one and only medication given to Aarthy throughout the pregnancy till delivery.) Yet Aarthy couldn’t sleep, she continued to getting into the pool and walking up and down the corridor. Her contractions werecoming more frequently but the dilation was very slow.
Around 4am Aarthy vomited and also had stooling sensation. Post that she felt sleepy. That is when Dr. Jayashree told us that her kid is down with fever so she will visit her kid and come back within Aarthy wakes up. Such a determined dedicated doctor!
Aarthy slept well till 7am and woke up only when Dr. Jayashree came back. Contractions started getting severe and stooling sensation increased around 11am. Aarthy felt like sitting in western toilet most of the time. Very hot water had been filled in the pool which Aarthy felt very soothing but I couldn’t even touch. Dilation was progressing at this time.
The Prince is Crowned:
Around 1.30pm Dr. Jayashree examined and confirmed that thebaby is crowning. The paediatrician was informed, water temperature in pool was brought down to 34 degrees to accommodate the baby.
Aarthy started getting more and more dilated. She started to push, I was supporting her from behind. In the mirror kept in the pool I could see the baby’s hair first. Doctors and nurses were motivating her more since the head was coming in and out for some time. Aarthy sat in squat position and tried but the same thing continued. She was given the middle portion of a bed sheet to pull, while the other ends were held by two nurses. She started to pull the bed sheet and tried pushing more but at one stage she gave up and asked the doctor try to cut open and deliver the baby.
