Miracles Involved In The Making Of A Mother

Dr. C. Nirmala Sudhakaran, who is currently the Head of Obstetrics and Gynaecology department of Medical College, Trivandrum takes Health Café’s senior writer Rachana John through the miracles involved in the making of a mother.

-  Rachana John

From time immemorial, birthing has always been considered a sort of miracle. No midwife, doctor or nurse, however well trained or experienced can ever tell a mother-to-be when exactly she would be going into labor.

Dr. C. Nirmala Sudhakaran, who has over 27 years of birthing experience under her belt, goes to great lengths to explain why this is so. She strongly believes that birthing is more than just a physical process and that there is an equally important psychological factor attached to it as well. A great majority of the junta is only aware of birthing as a process of labor pains, the mess of blood and the final first cry of the baby. Well, think again people! Because Dr. Nirmala is of the strong opinion that the time for a change in the mind-set of people is long overdue and she is making every effort to educate people on this issue.

According to the good doctor, “there are two births that happen during every delivery process; one is the birth of the baby, second is the re-birth of the mother. The birthing process of the baby is visible, but the re-birthing of the woman into a mother goes unseen. After giving birth, the woman changes considerably- both physically and mentally, and this is the point at which she changes psychologically forever. Nothing can change it.”

The birth of the baby is greatly celebrated, but few are even aware of the birth of the mother, talk less of celebrating it! This strong mother is born out of the strain and strenuous physical exhaustion associated with pregnancy and the delivery process proceeding it.

Postpartum Depression

Over 90% of women get stronger mentally as they go through the pregnancy and delivery process.

There are a few women (2-5%) however whose mental makeup isn’t up to the challenges of childbirth and this is the group that goes into post-partum depression.