Giving birth to my 2nd daughter, Nishta, is one of the most satisfying and wonderful experience of my life. My first labour with Shreya in June 2003 didn't quite go how I wanted it to. I was induced at 40 weeks. My waters had leaked and my gynae felt that it could lead to a possible infection. She also felt that Shreya was big baby and my labour could last long leading to a cesarean. My waters were broken and I was put on a pitocin drip. That led to an epidural, episiotomy and vacuum extraction when I was counting on doing it naturally. Shreya was born weighing just 3.5kg, 5.5hrs after my waters were broken. Although it was a relatively short labour and having her had been the most beautiful feeling, I was determined to have a natural birth experience the second time round.

I came across the concept of Doula and read abt Ginny's work in a magazine sometime after I had delivered Shreya. When I had confirmed my pregnancy in Feb 2005, I got in touch with her. She gave me names of gynaes she knew who are supportive of drug-free births. I went with Dr Paul Tseng from TMC. EDD was 7th Nov 2005 . Ram and I attended the Four Trimesters prenatal classes. They were so different from the hospital conducted ones we had attended in 2003. These classes had an informal setup with a small group of couples. They were extremely informative with regards to the stages of labour, the use of drugs, natural methods of induction and pain management, breathing and pushing techniques. Ram was a wiser man after these classes. He took notes diligently and filed all handouts in a folder much to my amusement. By October, he had enthusiastically packed the hospital bag as well.

I was experiencing mild Braxton hicks by early October. We no longer did scans during my weekly checkups. I preferred not to know the weight of the baby or other measurement details. I went through my birth plan with Dr Paul. Ginny met us in mid-October and asked us when we'd like to head to the hospital on D-day. I told her "as late as possible".

Nishta's birth story:

24 Oct 2005 , 7pm (38 weeks) - Felt stronger Braxton hicks than usual while heading for a friend's baby's 1st mth celebrations. Told Ram that the baby could come anytime. He contacted his brother to pick up the video camera that we had lent him. It was an important item for recording the after-birth moments.

25 Oct 2005 , 9.30am - Checkup with Dr Paul. Told that delivery could be at 40 weeks since Shreya was a 40 weeker. Thinking I had another 2 weeks, I went shopping at IKEA in the afternoon. 6.30pm - Braxton hicks again. Shreya and I were at my mum's place. 8pm - Ram returns from work. I was busy emailing friends telling them I'm unlikely to deliver till week 40. 8.30pm - Slight cramping pain. We took Shreya and drove to a nearby cold storage to buy video cartridges. On the way, I felt a sudden stronger cramping sensation in my lower abdomen. 9.30pm - Back at mum's place. Packed my pajamas and music CDs. SMS-ed Ginny. 11pm - Shreya fell asleep. Felt stronger lower abdomen contractions every 20mins lasting 30 seconds. Beginning to suspect that this might be it.

26 Oct 2005 , 12.30am - Contractions were coming every 10mins and lasting a minute. Still manageable. We took out our class notes to figure out what stage of labour I was in. Ram suggested we drive to our place and leave Shreya at my mum's. I was reluctant to leave her so soon. Decided to try and get some rest. Lay down next to Shreya and breathed through the contractions.

1.30am - Felt a more intense contraction. Had to moan softly. Decided it was time to make our way to our place since I couldn't continue handling the contractions without any noise. Didn't want to wake Shreya up. My parents were puzzled. They preferred that we head to the hospital instead of driving further away from it.

2.30am - Had to bend over sofa and moan softly to get through contractions. Still checking class notes. Ram called Ginny to inform her of the status. Went to Shreya's room and cried as I watched her peacefully asleep. Felt sad suddenly knowing that after that night, we'd have to divide our attention between 2 kids. Ram thought I was completely nuts. Finally left mum's place.

2.50am - Arrived at our place. Ram promptly set up the living room as per his class notes. Took out the exercise ball, laid out the comforter and cushions, played my music CD, lined the sofa with a huge towel, even lit an aroma candle! I was suitably impressed. Unfortunately, I couldn't find a comfortable position with any of those props. Ram ended up as my support pole. With every contraction I'd lock my arms around his neck firmly, burrow my face into his shoulders and sway as I breathed and moaned through the contractions. Ram had to keep in rhythm. Whenever he faltered I'd grip his neck even harder! Poor guy couldn't even get a toilet break. My contractions were lasting 45sec to a minute and coming every 5-7minutes.

4am - Had a warm shower.

4.20am - Contractions were 1-2mins apart. Was moaning loudly.

4.40am - Ram SMS-ed Ginny asking if we should meet her at the hospital. Ginny said she's call in awhile. When she called Ram suggested that she meet us at our place.

5.40am - No clear interval between contractions. I was moaning extremely loudly and wanted to head to the hospital. Ram decided to get me to the car while waiting for Ginny. He grabbed whatever we needed, and told me to get ready to make a dash for the lift when I could manage it. Once in the lift, I let out such loud moans that Ram had to keep the lift doors closed when we reached the basement car park. I felt sorry for Ram. I knew he was hoping hard that our neighbours would not wake up startled. Once in the back seat of the car, I got on my knees and grabbed the backrest and moaned as loudly as I wanted. Ram's phone rang. Ginny was already here. When she hopped into the car, I warned her that I was very loud. She reassured me that it was OK. My contractions were long and close to one another. I was clueless as to how fast Ram was driving down the expressway. I was just focused on getting through each contraction. Ginny encouraged me. Suddenly I felt an intense contraction and my waters broke. Fortunately, Ram had taken care of his dear car and had lined the seat with a huge towel. I told Ginny and she asked if she could pull down my panties and check the colour of the waters. She then called the hospital to inform them of our arrival. I wanted to push. Ginny asked me to go into a knee chest position but I refused.

6.10am - Arrived at the hospital. So many nurses attended to us because of my super loud moans. I hurried out of the car without my shoes. I preferred to walk quickly to the lift rather than use the wheelchair. At level 2, the nurse whisked me off to room 6 before anyone else could hear me. Once in room 6, I leaned over the basin refusing CTG and everything else. I agreed to a VE. Was 9cm dilated. I should have been relieved but I was wishing I could push. Ram came in shortly and managed to ask me to move over and lean against the bed instead. In between contractions Ginny got me to take sips of water while Ram wiped my face and encouraged me. Dr Paul arrived shortly and told me that I could push. He encouraged me to take a deep breath and keep it in while I pushed. I went with it. I focused hard on the next few contractions and pushed as long and hard as I could. Dr Paul, Ginny and Ram were encouraging me and I eventually felt my baby move down. I felt her head make its way out as I held on to my downward push. And before I knew it the rest of her came sliding out. It was 6.45am and I heard Nishta's wails. I slowly turned around as Ram exclaimed that we just had another girl. I was helped onto the bed after which Nishta was passed to me. It was the most amazing feeling holding her. Ram cut the clamped cord. My placenta was delivered naturally within minutes. Needed 3 stitches for my tear.

Nishta was smaller than her sister at birth, since she was early. She weighed 3.03kg. Her drug free birth was truly an incredible experience. Made memorable by the people who were a part of it - my wonderful hubby, Ram, a fantastic doula, Ginny and a great gynae, Dr Paul.