At 39 weeks, Shaila started having irregular waves. After 24 hours, her waves became more regular. They came to the hospital and Shaila was seen by the midwife. She was already 2 cms dilated and felt reassured that the process of labour had indeed begun. Shaila and Pradeep decided to go home and return to the hospital once the waves got more intense. A couple of hours later, they came back as the waves had picked up. Shaila was 4 cms opened. Her doula soon joined them. Shaila wanted a pain relief option, and after discussing with her midwife and doula, decided to try the pool for hydrotherapy. While the midwife was getting the pool ready, her doula helped her with some visualizations. Once Shaila entered the pool, she slowly began to relax and follow her instincts. Within an hour and a half in the pool, she began feeling a lot of pressure and instinctively started bearing down. She was so beautifully supported by Pradeep who gave her the space she required on this journey yet letting her know he was walking beside her, available in case she needed him.

Shaila was not comfortable staying in the pool and decided to come out. She was found to be fully dilated. She soon felt the urge to bear down and spontaneously began to push. Shaila was physically exhausted and her blood pressure was rising. She was given the specific medication. Her birth team helped her adopt different upright positions and soon her baby’s head was visible. With a little help and support, Shaila gently birthed her little boy.

If only every woman going through pregnancy and birth feels she is heard, her choices are respected, she is cared for and treated with love and empathy, we would have more women enjoying their birthing experience and motherhood. This would certainly help a woman birth with love rather than with fear.