Monthly Archives: February 2017

Winna’s birth story

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Winna is a very active person, having met her before she fell pregnant. She is regular with her Yoga practice and continued doing so until late in her pregnancy. This is her birth story.

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Like many other first time mom, I had no idea how labor was going to feel like asides the fact that I can’t run away from the pain during contractions. As such, I chose to attend the AMANI birth class with my husband to prepare ourselves for the big day.

I was admitted on the morning of 03Dec16 because I had the “show” and was 3cm dilated. Nothing comes by throughout the day so I kept myself busy by walking around as much as I could. Contractions finally kicked in after 12 midnight where I started to feel restless. Nurses in the obstetric ward insisted that I take pethidine to help with the pain but I refused after learning how the drug can be harmful to the baby during the birth class. I was sent to the labor room at 3am when I was 5cm dilated. Again the nurses in the labor room insisted I take the pethidine shot to help me relax and conserve my energy for pushing later on. But I was very firm on a drug free labor and again I rejected it. I tried using the laughing gas which was of no help to cope with the pain and neither does it help me to relax. What really help throughout the transition process was the breathing techniques which Nora taught me during class and the support my husband gave me.

After 8 hours in labor, I gave birth to Ryan on 04Dec16 at 10.47am. We were glad that we managed to ask for delayed cord clamping too although much negotiations were needed beforehand.

My husband and I couldn’t thank Nora enough for the knowledge she shared with us in the AMANI birth class and would recommend any mom-to-be to attend the workshop to prepare themselves for the big day.

Regards,
Winna

Rabiatul’s birth story

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Rabiatul attended our Childbirth class in July 2016. Her estimated due date was 16th September 2016. She delivered a healthy baby girl on the 8th September 2016. Alhamdulillah.
This is her birth story.
(What was supposed to be a routine check up turned into an expected birth. The unfolding of events happened very fast and i felt very vulnerable. If it wasn’t for prior knowledge from the childbirth class, i am sure i would have agreed to whatever the doctors said and i would miss my chance of a normal birth.)
On the 6th of sept, i had a gyne appointment in RIPAS and on my way there i experienced sudden blurred vision and a headache. After the check up, i was admitted for bp monitoring for 24hrs because they were scared i might be experiencing preeclamsia. My bp was normal throughout but i did have a high protein count in my blood and urine. From the beginning i got the feeling that the Drs were trying to persuade me to consider C-section for the “sake of me and my baby”.  So far they were only speculating that i had preeclamsia but they could not provide evidence stating that me or the baby are in any kind of danger. So after a lengthy discussion, they agreed to prioritize normal birth unless my bp or my baby’s bp goes up then they would have to deliver the baby by c -section. I agreed. 
During the 24hr monitoring period, they noticed that i had dilated by 1cm and my cervix was soft. The dr advised me to be induced to expedite the dilation and reduce the chance of me experiencing high bp hence increasing my chance of a normal birth. I agreed and was induced with the pill twice. First induction was bearable. It felt like really bad period pain every 3mins (unfortunately i only managed to dilate 3cm). 2nd induction was worse, i had contractions every 10mins but the pain was excruciating! (Breathing exercises were sooooo helpful here! I was surprised my husband remembered it from your class) I felt like my hips was about to fall off! I was bleeding alot and by now i was very sure i was ready for labour. Unfortunately i only dilated 4cm. By this point all i wanted to do was for the dr to cut me up. I felt like giving up. I was literally waiting for the dr to come through the door and just tell her i want a c-section! I was in the holding area within the labour ward the entire time, not in the delivery room yet. Here, only the husband, mother or mother in law can go in and they have to adhere to the visiting hours. There i was alone, in pain, exhausted and about to give up on my fantasy birth..But then i remember in your class you mentioned Allah will not let you feel pain you can’t overcome and that pain is you..this was the only thing that kept me going. The nurse kept on coming in asking if i wanted an epidural. I said no several times because i knew it would mess up my dilation. I was given pethidine. I went on to dilate from 5 cm to 9 cm in 2hours. In term of the pain relief, i didn’t think it made any difference.
I persevered and after 24hrs of labor, i finally dilated. 3hrs later my baby came out, facing upwards healthy as ever Alhamdulillah.
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Basically my point is, in all this, i feel, that my biggest barrier  between having a normal birth and surgery was myself..Doctors will always give you the easy way out, they know when you are most vulnerable. Having a strong support system is also important but the most important of all is believing that you can handle it all..i feel like your class really prepared me for that..and i feel very thankful.

Jannah’s birth story

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Our prenatal yoga student Jannah, had a VBAC with her second born. Jannah was considered high risk as her first baby was delivered via c-section in 2015.This is her birth story.

On the  2nd June 2016,  at 8pm while having dinner, I had irregular contractions and it was quite painful. It came and go every 5-7 mins and went on until 2am.  I couldn’t sleep. I tracked them using Pregnancy+ app and  I knew it was time.
At 2am, I woke my husband up and went to RIPAS.  I had already dilated 3cm and so  I was admitted. But then, the contraction was stopped until 4th June at 2am – but it came back and by then i was dilated at 6cm! This was a regular contraction!
I was brought to the labour room  as the doctor wanted to give me thorough check up every 15-30 mins interval, just in case my bikini line (at caesar area) became painful – so that the they could prep for an emergency c section. I waited for 15 hours long then finally, it was time to push… Luckily, it was a VBAC delivery!
It took me only 15-20 mins to push. It was a miracle that my labour ran very smoothly, Alhamdulillah despite having to go through a c section  last year! Surprisingly contractions was not that painful as I expected. No pain relief used because the pain was bearable. The tip is I practised the ice exercise from the  first labour workshop last year. Basically, my brain focused on different things when the contraction came. I thought of peaceful things: Allah, my daughter, my husband and your sakura tree that is in front of your studio.
My husband was really supportive! Even though he didn’t know what to do, he kept saying to me “You can do it baby!” “Just a little more to push and you’re done!” He was an excellent support I must say. 
After birth, it was hard for me to breastfeed directly because my baby was admitted into SCBU (born at 35 weeks ). So I had to keep on massaging my breasts to produce milk. On day 2, i had very little of colostrum and I consumed a milk booster. Day 3, my breasts became sore because it produced a lot of milk and pump was no use. A midwife helped me to squeeze my breasts. It was embarrassing, but I didn’t care. Haha.
Day 4,  we went to SCBU early in the morning and asked the nurse to allow me breast feed baby directly. Alhamdulillah, my baby latched on.
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Overall, Alhamdulillah my labour journey went really well. To compare with c-section and a VBAC delivery, definitely VBAC or normal delivery is the best choice!