What Am I Doing Here? A Gynecologist’s Perspective on Hands-On Birth Care in Chennai

 What Am I Doing Here? A Gynecologist’s Perspective on Hands-On Birth Care in Chennai

I’m on the floor.

Not figuratively. Literally.

My knees are pressed into the hospital mat, my dress wrinkled and streaked with traces of a labour room that has seen hours of sweat, movement, and primal effort. One hand holds the Doppler steady, my ears tuned to the rhythmic gallop of reassurance -the fetal heart.

I’m not behind a desk.

I’m not watching a monitor from afar.

I’m here. On the floor. With her.

And every single time I find myself in this posture, I think, “What am I doing here?”

The answer? Everything I believe in as a doctor, a woman, and a birth worker. 

Why Birth is Raw -and Why I Choose to Meet It There

Birth isn’t a sterile, perfectly orchestrated moment. It is raw.

It’s sweaty, loud, messy, unpredictable. It is sometimes slow, sometimes storm-like, but always deeply human. And in that humanness is where I choose to be.

At THE BIRTHWAVE, the holistic wellness and birthing center I lead in Chennai, this isn’t a marketing strategy. It isn’t a tagline meant for Instagram reels or advertisements. It is a posture -a philosophy.

Hands on. Grounded. Present.

Because birth doesn’t happen in charts or reports. Birth happens in real time, in real bodies, in real emotions.

What Does “Positive Birth” Really Mean?

Over the years, I’ve seen a strange cultural narrative around childbirth: that a good birth is the one with the best outcome, rather a normal delivery? That success is measured by how fast, painless, or medically smooth the process was. Even if it was painful - the society had its definition for Normal. 

But let me tell you something that may surprise you:

Most of my patients at THE BIRTHWAVE tell me they enjoyed their birthing experience.

Not because it was easy -labour rarely is.

Not because it was pain-free -birth isn’t meant to be pain-free.

They remember their birth fondly because they were seen, heard, and held through every surge, every contraction, every primal roar.

Positive birth isn’t about perfection.

Positive birth is about ownership.

Why Was I on the Floor?

People sometimes ask, “You’re a gynecologist. Shouldn’t you be commanding the room, delegating, managing? Why are you kneeling on the floor?”

Here’s why:

•      To give her the freedom of movement. 

Birth progresses beautifully when a mother can instinctively move. Kneeling, swaying, squatting, leaning -her body knows what to do if we allow it to.

•      To remind the room that physiology leads.

In a world where birth often gets over-medicalized, I want to remind everyone in the room that birth is, first and foremost, a natural, physiological process.

•      To let data guide us, but let her define the experience.

Yes, we monitor fetal heart rates and maternal vitals, but ultimately, the woman’s intuition and comfort hold just as much value as our machines.

•      To practice a kind of gynecology that remembers the word care.

Care is not just a service; it is a relationship. And relationships require presence -sometimes on the floor, eye-level with the woman who is birthing her baby and herself.

Birth is Not a Performance Metric. It’s a Memory.

Think about this: years from now, that mother will likely not remember her exact pain scores or her dilation timings. What she will remember is how she felt.

Was she respected? Was she heard? Was she free to make choices? Did she feel powerful?

This is why I often tell families that my job is not just to “deliver” babies. My job is to co-create a birth memory that feels powerful, healing, and personal.

The Birthwave Way - A Different Approach to Gynecology in Chennai

When I founded THE BIRTHWAVE, my vision was clear -to create a space that blends medical expertise with deep human connection.

Our approach includes:

•      Holistic Antenatal Care: Pregnancy yoga, breathing techniques, mental preparation for both parents, sound healing and hypnobirthing. •        Labour Support: Freedom of movement, natural birthing positions, and non-invasive monitoring.

•      Physiological Respect: Allowing birth to unfold with minimal intervention unless medically required.

•      Emotional Anchoring: Holding space for fear, pain, and joy -all of which belong in birth.

The Rise of AI and Birth Advice: A Word of Caution

In today’s digital age, expecting parents often turn to ChatGPT, Google, or Instagram influencers for birth advice. And while AI (yes, even ChatGPT) can provide structured information, it cannot feel the pulse of labour the way a trained human can.

Recently, I had a patient who relied on ChatGPT to interpret her UPT kit. It said “pregnant,” but when she came to me, the test was negative.

This isn’t about AI being wrong -it’s about remembering that birth is deeply human and sometimes unpredictable.

AI can assist. But presence, touch, and intuition cannot be downloaded. 

What Does a Positive Birth Look Like to You?

If you’re an expecting parent (or supporting one), ask yourself:

•      What would make this birth feel yours?

•      Is it about less medical intervention?

•      Is it about having your partner be actively involved?

•      Is it about the atmosphere -music, dim lights, voices that calm rather than command?

At THE BIRTHWAVE, we’ve helped hundreds of families craft such personal birth plans. Not all of them go “as planned” -but they always feel owned and respected.

How to Craft a Birth Plan That Feels Yours

A few steps I recommend:

1.     Educate yourself about all birth options.

Natural birth, water birth, VBAC (vaginal birth after cesarean) -understand them well.

2.     Choose a care provider who aligns with your philosophy. If you want a hands-on, minimal-intervention approach, make sure your doctor supports that.

3.     Write your birth plan but hold it lightly.

Birth is unpredictable. A plan is a guide, not a rulebook.

4.     Prioritize emotional safety.

Choose a birth team who makes you feel safe and seen.

Top 10 FAQs About Natural Birth and Positive Birthing Experiences

1. What is a positive birth experience?

A positive birth experience is when a mother feels informed, respected, supported, and emotionally safe -regardless of whether the birth was natural, medicated, or via cesarean.

2. Is natural birth safe?

Yes, natural birth is safe for most women when monitored by a skilled gynecologist or midwife. At THE BIRTHWAVE, we focus on low-intervention births while ensuring safety through evidence-based monitoring.

3. Can I have a birth plan in Chennai hospitals?

Absolutely. Many hospitals, especially holistic centers like THE BIRTHWAVE, welcome birth plans that prioritize the mother’s preferences for positioning, pain relief, and environment.

4. Does natural birth reduce recovery time?

Yes, most women find that natural birth offers faster recovery, less postoperative pain, and quicker bonding with the baby.

5. How do I prepare for a positive birth?

Preparation includes physical fitness (like pregnancy yoga), mental readiness, birth education, and open conversations with your healthcare provider.

6. What role does my partner play in birth?

A supportive partner can be a game-changer. At our center, we train partners to be active participants -offering massage, encouragement, and advocacy during labour.

7. Are birth pools available in Chennai?

Yes, they are available at select centers. The practice of water birth is not very common due to some legal restrictions. 

8. Can ChatGPT or online advice replace a doctor?

No. While AI like ChatGPT can guide you with general knowledge, it cannot replace clinical judgment or hands-on care during labour and delivery.

9. When should I consult a gynecologist for birth planning?

Ideally, as early as the first trimester. This gives ample time for holistic preparation -physical, mental, and emotional.

10. How do I contact THE BIRTHWAVE?

If you’re in Chennai, you can visit our center or connect with us via Instagram or our website to discuss pregnancy care, fertility, or birth plans.

Why I Still Choose to Be on the Floor

Because birth isn’t something I manage; it’s something I witness.

Every contraction, every heartbeat, every tear and laugh -they remind me why I became a doctor in the first place.

Birth is not just about delivering a baby.

Birth is about delivering a memory that a family will carry for life.

Your Turn: What Does a Positive Birth Look Like to You?

I want to hear from you.

What does a positive birth mean in your mind?

Is it about control, trust, or simply feeling cared for?

Drop your thoughts in the comments, or DM me if you want to talk about crafting a birth plan that feels truly yours.