Natural Pregnancy, Painful Sex, Depression, Diabetes — How One Woman Defied the Odds | Dr. Santoshi Nandigam | The Birthwave Chennai
She wasn’t just fighting infertility — she was fighting depression, painful sex, Type 2 Diabetes, and the world’s judgment. But her body had other plans… and today, we celebrate a natural pregnancy.
As a practicing Gynecologist and the founder of The Birthwave, an integrative wellness and birthing center in Chennai, I’ve met countless women who walk through my doors carrying more than just their medical history. They carry silent struggles — the ones society doesn’t talk about enough:
Depression and low mood
Painful sex that robs intimacy
Metabolic health issues like Type 2 Diabetes
The constant pressure to conceive naturally
Judgment from family, friends, and society, especially in love marriages
Today, I want to share a story that reflects not just one patient’s journey, but the reality of so many women in India — a reality that often gets buried beneath statistics, prescriptions, and clinical reports.
The Silent Struggles Behind Trying to Conceive
This young woman came to me, her face tired but her eyes still holding on to a thread of hope.
She had been battling depression, quietly attending counselling sessions, trying to hold herself together while the world told her to “stay positive.”
She was experiencing painful sex, medically known as dyspareunia — an issue most women normalize or stay silent about, never realizing how deeply it affects their relationship and fertility journey.
She had Type 2 Diabetes, a condition many doctors told her would complicate her chances of getting pregnant naturally.
And she was in a love marriage, facing layers of social scrutiny, unsolicited advice, and the age-old expectation: “When are you giving us good news?”
But here’s what most people don’t understand — fertility is never just about ovaries, sperm, or hormone levels. It’s a complex interplay of:
Your mental health
Your sexual health
Your metabolic health, including blood sugar and insulin balance
Your relationship dynamics
And perhaps most importantly — your belief in your own body
At The Birthwave, my vision has always been to look at women beyond their lab reports. I believe in treating the whole person, combining modern gynecology with holistic wellness to support natural conception and positive birthing experiences.
“Your Body is Not Your Enemy”
When I first met her, I reminded her of this simple yet powerful truth:
“Your body is not your enemy. We’re going to work on every part of your health — mind, body, hormones, and confidence.”
She was already proactive about her mental health, attending counselling sessions — which, by the way, I believe every woman on a fertility journey should consider.
We addressed her painful sex concerns, understanding the root cause and ensuring that intimacy stopped being a source of fear and discomfort.
We worked on managing her Type 2 Diabetes, focusing on insulin resistance, blood sugar control, and creating a fertility-friendly metabolic environment.
And we rebuilt her belief in her body — reminding her that she wasn’t broken, and her story was still being written.
The Message That Made My Day
A few weeks ago, my phone pinged. It was a message from her, simple yet powerful:
“Doc… I’m pregnant. Naturally. I didn’t believe this was possible — but you did.”
Moments like these remind me why I started The Birthwave in the first place — to give women a space where their whole health is addressed, where the goal isn’t just pregnancy, but a healthy, empowered, natural conception and birthing journey.
Breaking the Silence Around Painful Sex and Infertility
One of the most neglected conversations in women’s health is around painful sex, medically termed dyspareunia. Far too many women believe it’s normal to experience discomfort or pain during intercourse, especially after childbirth or during fertility struggles.
But let me be clear:
Painful sex is not normal. It is not something you have to “adjust” to. It is not something you should suffer in silence.
In fact, painful sex can significantly impact fertility, intimacy, and overall emotional well-being. At The Birthwave, we integrate pelvic floor assessments, sexual health consultations, and counselling to ensure women experience pain-free intimacy — an essential component of natural conception.
Type 2 Diabetes and Fertility — What You Need to Know
In India, we’re witnessing a concerning rise in Type 2 Diabetes among young women, many of whom are trying to conceive. What most people don’t realize is that uncontrolled blood sugar and insulin resistance can:
Disrupt ovulation
Increase the risk of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
Affect egg quality
Impact the uterine environment
But the good news? With proper metabolic management, lifestyle interventions, and holistic care, natural pregnancy is absolutely possible, even with diabetes.
At The Birthwave, our approach to managing diabetes and fertility includes:
Nutrition counselling tailored to blood sugar control and reproductive health
Integrative therapies like yoga and stress reduction techniques
Medical management focusing on insulin sensitivity
Regular monitoring to create a body environment conducive to natural conception
Depression, Fertility, and the Mind-Body Connection
Fertility isn’t just physical — it’s deeply emotional. Countless studies now show the link between depression, chronic stress, and fertility challenges. Yet, mental health remains an overlooked aspect of most fertility treatments.
This patient’s story is proof that addressing depression, supporting emotional health, and building mental resilience can transform fertility outcomes.
At The Birthwave, we ensure women have access to:
Mental health support and counselling
Mindfulness practices, including meditation and breathwork
Safe spaces to share fears, anxieties, and expectations
Because a healthy mind creates a fertile body.
Our center in Chennai recognizes these socio-cultural factors and provides compassionate, judgment-free care, supporting women through not just the medical aspects of fertility, but the emotional, relational, and societal challenges too.
Natural Pregnancy and Holistic Fertility Care — The Birthwave Approach
My journey in founding The Birthwave stemmed from one belief — Women deserve more than fragmented care.
They deserve:
A space where modern gynecology meets holistic wellness
A team that addresses physical, emotional, sexual, and metabolic health
An environment that nurtures natural conception and positive, respectful birthing experiences
Our holistic fertility care model includes:
Comprehensive fertility assessments
Nutritional and metabolic optimization
Pelvic floor and sexual health consultations
Emotional and mental health support
Integrative therapies like yoga, mindfulness, and stress reduction
Evidence-based medical management with a natural-first approach
We’ve helped countless women in Chennai and beyond achieve natural pregnancies, even with complex health conditions like Type 2 Diabetes, PCOS, depression, and painful sex.
Your Diagnosis is Not Your Destiny
If you’re reading this and struggling with:
Infertility or difficulty conceiving
Depression and emotional health concerns
Painful sex affecting your intimacy and confidence
Type 2 Diabetes or metabolic health issues
Social pressure around marriage and fertility
Know this — Your diagnosis is not your destiny. Your story isn’t over.
With the right care, belief, and a holistic approach, natural conception is possible. Your body is capable of incredible things, even when the odds feel stacked against you.
Final Thoughts — Believe in Your Body, Seek the Right Support
The story I shared today isn’t just a celebration of one natural pregnancy — it’s a testament to the power of integrated, compassionate, whole-person care.
As a Gynecologist, Fertility Consultant, and advocate for Natural Pregnancy and Birthing, my mission at The Birthwave is simple — to help women believe in their bodies, heal from within, and experience the joy of conception naturally, wherever possible.
Your journey may be complex, but you are not alone. Seek support. Ask questions. Demand holistic care. Because when we treat women as whole individuals — mind, body, and soul — miracles happen.
Your body can surprise you. Don’t lose hope.
If you’re struggling with fertility, painful sex, diabetes, or emotional health concerns and want to explore natural pregnancy options, visit us at The Birthwave Chennai or schedule a consultation.
Dr Santoshi Nandigam
.jpg)
.jpg)
0 Comments