What Gynecology and Birthing Mean to Me — And Why I Advocate for Positive, Informed Birth Experiences

I’ve been practicing gynecology for years now. It’s not just my profession—it’s my identity, my purpose, and, in many ways, the lens through which I see the world.

But what does gynecology really mean to me? And more importantly, what does birthing mean to me?

You see, I’m not just a gynecologist in Chennai. I’m someone who has made it her life’s mission to create safer, kinder, and more empowering spaces for women during one of the most vulnerable, yet life-changing phases of their lives—pregnancy and childbirth.

And yet, here’s the raw, honest truth: I’m terrified of birthing myself.

Yes, me—the gynecologist, the so-called “expert”, the one who’s seen hundreds of births, supported countless women, and guided families through the miracle of life—harbors deep fears when it comes to birthing my own child.

This duality—the healer and the human—is what has shaped my journey, my beliefs, and my relentless advocacy for positive, informed birthing experiences.

The Meaning of Gynecology: More Than Just Medicine

For most people, gynecology is a branch of medicine dealing with reproductive health, fertility, pregnancy, periods, PCOS, menopause, and everything in between.

But for me, gynecology is so much more than that.

Gynecology is the art of understanding women—their bodies, their fears, their unspoken traumas, their dreams, and their untapped strength. It’s walking alongside them through the most intimate, confusing, and defining moments of their lives—from their first period to their first pregnancy, from infertility struggles to postpartum recovery.

It is science, yes. But it’s also empathy, trust, and connection.

In my clinic—The Birthwave, based in Nungambakkam, Chennai—we’ve moved beyond the sterile, rushed, transactional approach to women’s healthcare. We’ve created a space that integrates medical excellence with emotional safety, where women are heard, respected, and cared for holistically.

What Birthing Means to Me

Birthing… oh, where do I even begin?

For me, birthing is the ultimate paradox. It is strength and vulnerability, chaos and calm, fear and faith, all colliding in the most primal, profound experience of human existence.

It’s not just a clinical event. It’s not just labor pains, contractions, and delivery.

It’s a rite of passage. It’s the moment a woman meets the rawest version of herself—the version that doubts, that panics, that questions if she can survive this—and yet, somehow, does.

Every birth I’ve witnessed has left a mark on me. The quiet tears of a new mother hearing her baby cry for the first time. The overwhelming relief when labor ends. The battles women fight—internally and externally—to have the birth they deserve.

Birthing, to me, is sacred. And yet, it’s also the most medically mismanaged, emotionally neglected, and systemically complicated process in healthcare.

This is why I advocate so fiercely for positive birthing experiences and informed birthing choices.

Why Positive Birth Experiences Matter

The term “positive birthing” often gets misunderstood.

People assume it means a birth free of complications, free of pain, or one that goes exactly according to plan.

But that’s not reality. Birth is unpredictable. No amount of preparation can guarantee outcomes.

But what we can control is the environment, the respect, the information, and the support a woman receives during labor and delivery.

A positive birth experience, in my view, is one where:

• The woman feels heard and involved in decision-making.

• She is respected, regardless of her choices or birth outcomes.

• There’s transparency about interventions—when they are needed and when they are avoidable.

• Fear is replaced with understanding.

• Medical expertise is balanced with emotional care.

In other words, it’s not about a textbook “normal delivery” or avoiding a cesarean at all costs. It’s about ensuring that whatever unfolds during birth, the woman feels empowered, safe, and supported.

The Psychological Impact of Birth

As a women’s health expert in Chennai, I’ve seen how a traumatic birth can scar a woman—not just physically, but mentally and emotionally.

Birth trauma doesn’t always come from emergencies or complications. It often stems from:

• Feeling dismissed or unheard.

• Being subjected to interventions without consent.

• Facing disrespect, neglect, or humiliation during labor.

• Having expectations shattered without explanation or compassion.

On the flip side, I’ve seen how a well-supported, informed birth can instill lifelong confidence in a woman.

This is not just my professional observation—it’s backed by research. Studies show that positive birth experiences reduce postpartum depression, enhance mother-infant bonding, and improve overall maternal well-being.

In short, how a woman births can profoundly shape how she feels about herself.

Informed Birth: Knowledge Is Power, But Also Heavy

Here’s where it gets personal.

Despite all my years as a gynecologist, despite running The Birthwave—an integrative center for natural pregnancy care in Chennai—I confess, I am afraid of birthing myself.

It’s ironic, isn’t it? I possess an arsenal of knowledge about anatomy, physiology, complications, emergencies, pain management, interventions—you name it.

But that knowledge? It’s both a boon and a bane.

I know everything that can go wrong.

I’ve witnessed best-case scenarios and worst-case tragedies.

I’ve seen how birth plans can crumble, how emergencies can blindside even the most prepared couples.

And so, beneath my professional armor, lies a woman—a woman who, like so many others, fears the uncertainty, the pain, the vulnerability of childbirth.

But this is exactly why I advocate for informed birthing, not fear-driven birthing.

What Is Informed Birthing?

Informed birthing isn’t about overwhelming women with medical jargon or worst-case scenarios.

It’s about:

• Educating women on their bodies, labor process, and birth options.

• Debunking myths and unrealistic expectations.

• Discussing interventions—their benefits, risks, and alternatives.

• Preparing couples for both physiological birth and medical possibilities.

• Teaching coping mechanisms, pain relief options, and partner support strategies.

Knowledge reduces unnecessary fear, builds confidence, and helps women navigate the unpredictable nature of labor.

But it also requires nuance—knowing when to surrender control, when to trust the body, and when to lean on medical expertise.

That balance is the foundation of the positive, informed birthing experiences we champion at The Birthwave.

Why I Started The Birthwave: Redefining Birthing in Chennai

When I founded The Birthwave in Nungambakkam, Chennai, my vision was clear:

To create a haven where women feel empowered, supported, and celebrated throughout pregnancy and childbirth.

We’re not just another clinic. We’re an integrative wellness center that combines:

• Expert gynecological care

• Holistic pregnancy support

• Natural birthing preparation

• Emotional and mental health resources

• Fitness, nutrition, and alternative therapies

• Childbirth education workshops

• Respectful maternity care practices

We’ve built a team of compassionate professionals—gynecologists, pediatricians, lactation consultants, fitness trainers, nutritionists, and more—who believe in holistic, patient-centered care.

Our goal? To help women not just birth babies, but birth themselves anew—with dignity, strength, and confidence.

A Message to Every Woman: You’re Allowed to Be Afraid—and Informed

If you’re reading this as a woman planning your pregnancy, navigating fertility challenges, or preparing for childbirth—know this:

You don’t have to be fearless to have a positive birthing experience.

Fear is normal. Uncertainty is normal. Wanting to feel safe, supported, and informed—that’s your right.

Even I, with all my medical background, face those fears.

But here’s the beautiful paradox: when fear meets preparation, understanding, and the right support system, it transforms into courage.

And courage is what fuels a positive birth—not the absence of fear.

Closing Thoughts: Changing Births, one at a time.

Gynecology to me is not just pap smears, prescriptions, or surgeries.

It’s holding space for women’s pain, dreams, and transformations.

Birthing, to me, is not just contractions and delivery rooms.

It’s the unfolding of human resilience, vulnerability, and love.

Through The Birthwave, through our advocacy for informed, positive birthing experiences, through every scared but strong woman who walks into my consultation room—we are rewriting the narrative of childbirth in Chennai.

You deserve to birth with dignity.

You deserve to understand your body.

You deserve to feel heard, respected, and powerful—no matter what path your birth takes.

And you deserve a space that honors both your fears and your strength.

That’s what gynecology and birthing mean to me.

That’s why I do what I do.

And that’s why, even in my own fears, I will always stand beside you—helping you birth not just a baby, but your most empowered self.

Interested in preparing for a positive, informed birth?

Visit us at The Birthwave, Nungambakkam, Chennai — where we combine expert care with holistic support for your pregnancy journey.

Let’s change how we birth, together.