In the realm of childbirth, the decision to opt for a home birth often sparks curiosity and raises eyebrows. "Why a home birth?" one might ask. Baneen Karachiwala, a seasoned Public Health Researcher with 19 years of experience, invites us into her world, shedding light on the intricacies of maternal healthcare and narrating her own empowering home birth story.
Baneen's Home Birth Journey: A Tale of Empowerment
Having worked as a Public Health Researcher and seen births extensively in the medical system, Baneen found confidence in the idea of a home birth.
Women are often unheard and mistreated both in public and private hospitals she says.
Placenta Accreta and Birthing at 42 weeks!
In the middle of her pregnancy she was diagnosed with Placenta Accreta , where the placenta is deeply embedded in the uterine wall and increases the chances of a haemorrhage post birth. Despite the acknowledged risks, she chose this path as the best option for her and her baby and prepared well in advanced for any emergency having discussed everything with her midwife, Corrina from Goa.
Addressing Gaps in Maternal Healthcare
Among the many topics discussed, Baneen highlights the existing gaps in maternal healthcare and proposes improvements that could ensure a healthier outcome and a positive experience for both mother and baby. One notable suggestion revolves around integrating traditionally trained Dais (Indian Traditional Midwives) into the healthcare system, leveraging their expertise rather than establishing an entirely new support system which is medically trained and lacks the traditional wisdom of communities
Navigating Challenges and Birthing at Home in Goa (India)
Baneen's home birth story emphasizes the significance of a healing community care model for prenatal and postpartum support. She explains in detail how
she navigated the contractions
long it took for the baby to arrive
she chose the positions to birth
she fainted after birth and needed emergency care
postpartum care and Breastfeeding looked like
Listen to the full audio story here!
Owning the birth!
The discussion later delves into the responsibility that comes with birthing choices, discouraging the tendency to blame midwives or healthcare providers for unforeseen challenges. Baneen's story is a testament to the importance of informed decision-making, empowerment, and embracing one's unique birthing journey and preparing well for the most precious day of our lives
A Call for Informed Choices and Empowerment
As we absorb the beautiful nuggets shared by Baneen, may her journey inspire us all to explore the possibilities around us, advocating for the birthing experiences we desire.
Link to full podcast episode:Â
About the guest
Baneen Karachiwala , a Public Health Researcher, Baneen has been associated with various organisations at the national and international level for the last 19 years, providing support in research, documentation and programmatic interventions in the fields of health and development across India. Her special interests lie in the areas of human rights, maternal and child health. She moved to Goa 7 years ago and now has shifted focus to the areas of hospitality and interior design.
Support the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/birthagni)
Prepare for Birth, explore Prenatal and Postnatal Preparation Classes, visit www.birthagni.com (https://www.birthagni.com)
• If you like what you hear, leave us
• A rating on Spotify app (https://open.spotify.com/show/1Lz8yXH...) and answer the question at each episode!
• A review on Apple podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/in/podcast...)
• Like, share and subscribe on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@BirthAgni)
• Share on WhatsApp/Insta/FB
• Share on Insta and tag us @divyakapoorvox
• Support the production by making a donation at https://www.buymeacoffee.com/birthagni.
• Subscribe to the FREE newsletter at https://www.birthagni.com/#subscribe
Comments