Kavya had a waterbirth with us a year and a half ago and was very motivated to have another one this time too. With her pregnancy being low risk, she was put under midwifery care. During her routine antenatal check with the midwife at 37 weeks, the fundal height seemed lesser than the period of gestation, so a scan was suggested which revealed a low fluid level. Kavya was advised to get admitted for induction of labour. She was a little apprehensive as she was not mentally prepared for this. After a lot of counselling and reassurance, Kavya and Eshwar understood the need to get induced but they wished to go home and return in a few hours. Kavya got admitted later in the day and was induced. Within half an hour she started with her waves. She had a shower, caught up on some rest, had her dinner and did her exercises. She was quietly breathing with each wave. The baby was carefully monitored throughout, and both Kavya and her baby were doing well.

6 hours later, Kavya was assessed and she was already 3 cms open. With her permission, her waters were released. Just like the first time around, Kavya was calm and relaxed, surrendering to the experience, just breathing for herself and her baby… slowly and steadily one wave at a time. The calmness of the dimly lit room filled with the fragrance of lavender added to Kavya’s relaxation.

The midwife was keeping a close watch on the baby’s heart rate and they waited patiently. All that Eshwar had to do was gently hold her hand. She sat on the birth ball and kept having lots of juices. Kavya soon started bearing down and declared that she could feel the baby coming and in the gentlest of ways, she breathed her baby down. Congratulations Kavya and Eshwar for achieving the birth you wanted, the birth you so dedicatedly worked towards.

What a beautiful birth…a baby boy, 3.06 kgs with an intact perineum. Six minutes later, after the cord pulsations ceased, Eshwar cut the cord and Kavya hugged her baby tight. She indulged in lots of skin-to-skin with her baby and the first breastfeeding was initiated.

Birth has always empowered you Kavya. You always believed that you could do it, and you did it. You rock!!