A Birth Story That Redefines Strength

Because sometimes, bringing life into this world is not just about the birth — but about rebirth.

In my years as a gynecologist, especially one focused on holistic wellness and natural birthing, I’ve had the privilege of witnessing hundreds of birth stories. Each one has its own rhythm, its own challenges, and its own unique beauty.

But some stories stay with you.

Some women etch themselves so deeply into your memory that you find yourself thinking of them long after the birth, long after the baby is born, long after the hospital gown has been folded away.

This is one such story. And it somehow felt personal. Considering her lack of support. I may have low key considered her as a sister and felt immensely responsible for her birth. 

A story that isn’t just about the act of giving birth — it’s about healing, reclaiming power, and choosing oneself despite every obstacle.

The First Visit: A Whisper of Fear, A Spark of Determination

She came to me early in her pregnancy.

She was pale. Her hands trembled slightly. And yet, her voice was steady.

Behind the fear and the fatigue, there was something unmistakable: determination.

She had recently been diagnosed with cervical lymphadenopathy, and the biopsy confirmed it to be tuberculosis. She had started Anti-Tubercular Therapy (ATT), and then — life took another turn. She found out she was pregnant.

At that moment, most people would feel overwhelmed. She did too.

But instead of backing away, she stepped forward.

She came to us not just as a patient, but as a woman seeking clarity — trying to make sense of the chaos within her body and life. Her question was simple:

“Can I do this? Can I carry this baby safely?”

My answer, after reviewing all clinical parameters and ensuring ATT could be continued safely with monitoring, was yes — but it would require vigilance, support, and care on every level.

She said: “Then let’s do this.”

A Home That Wasn’t Safe, and a Heart That Refused to Break

As the weeks progressed, we learned more about her life beyond the medical file. If you know how this works with Tuberculosis in India, I’m sure you know of the shame and guilt carried by the ones dealing with it. It’s not easy to differentiate and explain people cervical lymphadenopathy TB is not the same as the usual lung infection and there’s no necessity of isolation. No body cares. And people somehow attribute it to the woman’s fault and how? Hers was a similar story. A troubled, emotionally abusive marriage. Constant conflict. Lack of support. Eventually, she made a brave decision: she chose divorce while pregnant.

Let that sink in.

While many around her questioned, criticized, or shamed her, she stayed firm.

She knew one thing for sure: her baby didn’t deserve to be born into chaos.

At the same time, she was also the sole caregiver for her differently-abled elder sister. The financial burden, the emotional labour, and the pressure to “keep it together” was immense.

And yet — she kept showing up.

The Pregnancy Journey: A Battle on Every Front

This wasn’t a dreamy pregnancy with photoshoots and baby showers.

This was real. Raw. Sometimes terrifying.

There were frequent fevers. ATT side effects. Exhaustion that went beyond the usual.

And then came the anaemia, which only worsened as the months progressed.

She underwent iron transfusions, faced dietary challenges, and still tried to keep her work-life going, as she was the only breadwinner.

Despite it all, she never missed a visit.

She came for every antenatal check-up.

She never ignored a symptom.

She asked questions.

She wanted to understand her body — not fear it.

She also came for more than just scans and prescriptions.

She came for reassurance. For comfort. For a safe space.

This is the power of trauma-informed gynecology and holistic women’s care — where the woman is seen as a whole person, not just a uterus with symptoms.

In our clinic, we offer exactly this — a blend of conventional reproductive care with integrative therapies like yoga, nutrition, mental health support, energy work, and deep emotional holding.

And she embraced it all.

“I Don’t Want Pity. I Want a Natural Birth.”

In her third trimester, one morning she said something that still gives me goosebumps.

She looked me in the eye and said:

“I don’t want to be rescued. I want to reclaim my body. I want a normal delivery, if I can. I want to know I still have that power.”

This wasn’t coming from a place of arrogance or rebellion.

It was coming from a place of longing — a desire to reclaim sovereignty over her own body, which had been through disease, trauma, heartbreak, and depletion.

She wanted a natural, unmedicated, vaginal delivery — not for Instagram, not for validation — but for herself.

She didn’t want drugs unless absolutely necessary.

She didn’t want interventions unless it became a matter of safety.

She wanted to feel it. To push through. To birth with intention.

And we respected that.

We prepared her — physically and mentally.

We focused on pelvic mobility, breathing practices, prenatal yoga, and visualization work.

We addressed her fears — not just about birth, but about being “enough” for her baby.

The Birth: Breath. Courage. Trust.

Looks like god had his way of dealing with things. She was admitted with high grade fever - and I had to face the dilemma of wait and watch or deliver baby. A little bit of medicine here - when the mum runs a high grade fever, her pulse is elevated, the baby’s heart rate goes up and we need to bring the temperature done asap. After running a few tests and putting her on antibiotics we waited patiently for her to go into labour, as that’s the usual course. When the body is irritated (like in this case - fever) labour starts early. 

And then came labour.

It was late in the night. We monitored her closely. Her body responded beautifully — dilating steadily, contractions intensifying naturally.

There was no augmentation.

No forceps. No epidural.

No unnecessary rush.

Just trust. Breath. Courage. Presence.

She breathed. She cried. And she birthed — a beautiful baby girl.

A calm, unmedicated, vaginal delivery — just like she had dreamed.

And as she held her daughter close, she whispered:

“I did this. I really did this.”

A Daughter Born Into Power

The baby was healthy, alert, and ready to nurse within minutes.

Skin-to-skin contact was initiated immediately.

Delayed cord clamping was respected.

The mother was glowing — not just from postpartum hormones, but from something deeper.

She had done what many thought was impossible.

She had birthed herself — alongside her daughter.

This is what empowered birthing looks like.

This is what happens when gynecological care goes beyond medicine — and enters the realm of soul support.

Why This Story Matters: Holistic Birth Support in Chennai

As a gynecologist in Chennai, I’ve seen that so many women suffer in silence.

They’re told : 

• “Just have the baby and stop overthinking.”

• “Natural birth is risky.”

• “You’re too weak for normal delivery.”

• “Your trauma shouldn’t affect your pregnancy.”

• “This is just part of being a woman.”

But here’s what I believe — and what THE BIRTHWAVE, my holistic wellness clinic, is built on:

Every woman deserves trauma-informed, respectful, integrative care.

Every woman deserves to be heard.

Every woman deserves a birth that heals — not retraumatizes.

This birth story is not just about one woman.

It’s about hundreds like her.

In Chennai. In India. Across the world.

Women who are:

• Navigating reproductive illness like PCOS, endometriosis, tuberculosis, or infertility

• Recovering from toxic marriages, sexual trauma, or postpartum depression

• Juggling caregiving roles while trying to be mothers themselves

• Choosing natural birth, unmedicated labour, or IVF on their own terms

What Holistic Birth Support Really Means

This story beautifully illustrates what true holistic and integrative obstetric care looks like:

- Medical supervision

- Mental health support

- Empowerment through education

- Nutrition and movement guidance

- Energy healing and emotional release tools

- A team that honours the mother’s autonomy

It’s not a luxury. It’s what every woman should have access to.

Final Thoughts: Your Strength Is Sacred

To every woman reading this who is walking through fire —

Emotionally. Physically. Spiritually.

You’re not alone.

Your story matters.

Your strength is real, raw, and sacred.

You are more than your diagnosis, more than your trauma, and more than your fears.

You are a life-giver. A resilient soul. A powerful force.

And when you choose to birth — in whichever way you do —

You don’t just bring a child into this world.

You rebirth yourself.

If you’re in Chennai and looking for respectful, trauma-informed, holistic pregnancy care — reach out.

We at THE BIRTHWAVE are here to walk this path with you.

From fertility to postpartum — you are seen, held, and supported.