During the first three months of my pregnancy, I went for check-ups at the nearby government Primary Health Centre (PHC). The facility there was well-equipped, and they would call us every month for the required examinations. I went there twice. From the surrounding small villages, at least seventy to a hundred pregnant women would come […]
I was overjoyed yesterday to hear that a baby boy was born through normal delivery to a member of the Eetrarai family. Both mother and baby are doing well. Grace to the Supreme Light and its boundless compassion. Childbirth is not easy. But if we learn in advance how to manage it, every delivery can […]
For every woman, pregnancy and childbirth are among the most joyful moments of life — unforgettable experiences that remain etched in the heart forever. Carrying a first child, in particular, is a time when a woman feels the fullness and beginning of her womanhood. I too was blessed with such beautiful experiences at the ages of 19 and 22. Each day was filled with overwhelming hope, dreams, imagination, and anticipation — perhaps even more so because of how young I was.
Prolonged fear or anxiety can reduce blood flow to the placenta because, during stress, the mother’s body prioritizes vital organs. This reduced blood flow affects the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to the baby, potentially impacting the baby’s
“One has to bring up a child as if it belongs to the world and the world belongs to the child” Krishnammal paati said to my partner before continuing with ‘… baby is going to come…!’ At Jagannathan ayya’s samadhi in Gandhigram, we shared the moment and took their blessings.
Becoming pregnant was not an easy journey for me. I conceived at the age of 30, after trying for three long years. After 40th periods of being together. It was a challenging time, meeting family and friends who often asked when we’d be expecting, and dealing with the emotional ups and downs of waiting for our blessing.
Even though millions of children are born worldwide, each birth is its own unique story. A mother with ten children will have ten different stories. I believe that every birth story deserves to be told. By sharing these stories, experiences get recorded.
Three weeks ago, due to severe physical discomfort, I had to give up a significant and much-anticipated journey. My fear stemmed from the fact that my body suddenly succumbed to an ailment without any prior symptoms, puzzling even the doctors.
From the moment of conception until the first three years after childbirth, every day is filled with immense challenges. It takes tremendous mental strength to get through each day. Especially during labor, the pain, the anxiety about the baby’s safe delivery, and the overwhelming thought that they are about to experience a new life can put women under severe mental stress. However, this stress in no way helps the delivery process.
Once a month in Puliyanur village, the anganwadi teacher gathers all the pregnant women to distribute nutritious flour (sathu maavu) at the local childcare center. I had already informed the anganwadi teacher last week that I wanted to meet and speak with them.