Inspiring Birth Stories

Waterbirth after IVF, pain & prayers

There are moments in life that feel bigger than time itself—moments so raw and real that they stay with you forever. The birth of my baby was one of those moments. It wasn’t just a day; it was a journey filled with pain, hope, and love. This is the story of how my little one came into the world—a story I’ll always treasure.

It started at home when my water broke. At first, I felt excited but also nervous. Finally, after months of waiting, hoping, and praying—and going through the ups and downs of IVF—it was happening. But the early stage of labor was unpredictable. Contractions would come on so strong, then fade away, leaving me unsure if it was time to go to the hospital or wait longer. Each wave of pain tested my patience and strength.

By the time active labour began, I was already exhausted. Thirteen hours of natural contractions without any medication pushed me to my limits. There were moments when the pain felt unbearable, like it might swallow me whole. But deep inside, something kept me going. Maybe it was the prayers of loved ones, maybe it was knowing my baby was worth every bit of effort, or maybe it was just sheer determination. Whatever it was, it carried me forward.

Choosing a water birth had been a decision I made months before, but now, as labour intensified, I questioned everything. Was I strong enough? Could I really do this without an epidural? Would I regret not taking the easier route? These doubts swirled in my mind as each contraction grew stronger. But then I stepped into the warm birthing pool, and everything shifted.

The water wrapped around me like a comforting hug. It softened the sharp edges of the pain and gave me a sense of calm I hadn’t felt in hours. For the first time, I didn’t feel like I was fighting labour—I was part of it. Every contraction became less about fear and more about purpose. My body seemed to know exactly what to do, working in rhythm with nature.

I leaned on the tools I’d learnt during pregnancy—breathing techniques, gentle movements, and moments of rest between contractions. I walked around when I needed to stretch, bounced on a birth ball to ease pressure, and even closed my eyes to rest when I could. There were times when exhaustion almost overtook me, but I found strength in the people around me—my doula Sis Jannah, whose calming voice kept me grounded; my husband, who never left my side; and the memories of other women who had shared their stories with me.

One moment stands out clearly in my mind. A contraction hit me so hard that it took my breath away. I gripped the edge of the pool, tears streaming down my face, convinced I couldn’t go on. That’s when Jannah knelt beside me, her hand resting gently on my shoulder. “You’re doing amazing,” she said softly. “Breathe with me.” So I did. Together, we breathed slowly, steadily, until the peak passed and I could gather myself again. Those simple words reminded me that I could do this, and they gave me the courage to keep going.

And then there was my husband—my rock, my hero. He had never been through childbirth before, but he handled it with quiet strength and endless compassion. When I faltered, he steadied me. When I cried, he wiped away my tears. And when I needed someone to hold me up—literally—he was there, his arms wrapped tightly around me in the water. His voice stayed steady and encouraging, even when mine wavered. Somehow, he always knew what I needed before I did. Whether it was reminding me to breathe, massaging my back, or simply holding my gaze and saying, “You’ve got this,” he carried me through.

When it came time to push, I didn’t think I had anything left to give. My body felt completely drained. But then something incredible happened. As the midwife guided us, telling me to listen to my body, I felt a surge of strength I didn’t know I had. With each push, I could feel my baby moving closer, inch by inch. My husband stood behind me, supporting me physically and emotionally, his voice steady and encouraging. And then, finally, I heard the sound I’d been longing for—the first cry of my baby entering the world.

In that instant, everything changed. All the pain, all the fear, all the doubt—it disappeared, replaced by a flood of love and gratitude. As I reached down to lift my slippery, perfect little angel from the water, I felt a sense of awe so powerful it brought fresh tears to my eyes. This tiny human being, born after years of hope and heartache, was here.

Alive. Whole. Ours.

Holding my baby for the first time was like holding the answer to every prayer I’d ever whispered. Every injection, every procedure, every sleepless night—it had all led to this moment. My heart overflowed with emotions too big to put into words: joy, relief, wonder, and a connection so deep it felt like it had always been there. I looked up at my husband, whose own eyes were filled with tears, and we shared a silent understanding. We had done it—together.

Looking back, I realize this birth wasn’t just about bringing a baby into the world. It was about healing, redemption, and proving to myself that I am stronger than I ever thought possible. After three previous traumatic births, this experience felt like a gift—a chance to rewrite my story and trust in my own strength. It was messy, raw, and imperfectly beautiful—a reflection of life itself.

To anyone reading this who may be facing their own challenges, whether in fertility, pregnancy, or birth, I want you to know this: You are stronger than you think. Lean on your support system, trust yourself, and don’t be afraid to ask for help. And most importantly, believe in the power of miracles—because sometimes, against all odds, they happen.

This is my waterbirth story—a tale of pain, perseverance, and pure love. It’s a story I’ll carry with me always, close to my heart, where it belongs.

Story 1

by Yatee

My VBAC triumph.

My first birth experience left me with mixed emotions. It ended in an emergency C-section at KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital after labouring for over 24 hours. Despite my efforts, I stalled at 7 cm dilation and was told I had “failed to progress.” That phrase haunted me, but it also fuelled my determination to try for a VBAC (Vaginal Birth After a C-section) with my second pregnancy.

This time around, I felt more prepared:

• Chose Prof. Su Lin Lin, a supportive and experienced OB-GYN.

• Hired Doula Jannah, whose calming presence and expertise were invaluable.

• Attended birth classes to educate myself on labour techniques, pain management, and the birthing process.

I knew this pregnancy would be different—I was ready to rewrite my story.

Here’s how my VBAC unfolded:

October 13, 2020 (Due Date!)

• Discovered a bit of mucus plug—my first sign that labour might be approaching! Excited about this milestone, I did some light exercises that evening to encourage progress.

October 15, 2020

• Noticed a tinge of pinkish blood followed by a bloody show (though not heavy). I headed to NUH for my routine check-up, where Prof. Su teased, “Still not in labor yet?”

• She gave me 10 days to go into labour naturally before deciding between induction or scheduling another C-section. I left feeling hopeful but slightly anxious about the ticking clock.

October 17, 2020

• Contractions began intermittently. My husband encouraged me to rest as much as possible while we waited for things to pick up.

October 18, 2020

• Spent most of the day rocking gently on my birth ball while watching TV. The contractions remained irregular, so I decided to get some sleep.

• By 11 PM, the contractions became intense and regular. My husband quietly timed them while I took a hot shower to ease the discomfort. Afterward, I tried to rest again, knowing that conserving energy would be crucial.

Labour Day: October 19, 2020

At 3:45 AM, I heard a loud POP—my water bag had burst! Getting out of bed was incredibly challenging; walking felt nearly impossible. I told my husband we could wait a little longer, hoping to labour at home as long as possible. After taking another hot shower, I called Doula Jannah. She suggested for us to be heading to the hospital, but I hesitated, wanting to stay home until maybe 8 AM. However, my instincts kicked in when I realised I could barely move—even getting dressed required crawling. We rushed to NUH, with me groaning through each contraction in the car (apologies to my husband and father-in-law!).

When we arrived at the hospital, I was wheeled straight to the delivery suite. At 5:24 AM, the midwife checked me—and to my amazement, I was already fully dilated! 10cm!!

With renewed energy, I pushed for nearly an hour. An episiotomy was performed to help speed things along, and after two final pushes, my baby girl entered the world at 6:22 AM. Alhamdulillah—thank you, Allah!

She weighed a healthy 3.49 kg and was born at exactly 40 weeks and 6 days.

This VBAC experience was everything I hoped for and more. Labouring at home as long as I could and trusting my body made all the difference. Every contraction, every decision, and every moment of preparation led me to this beautiful outcome.

I’m deeply grateful to:

• Prof. Su Lin Lin , for her confidence in my ability to have a VBAC.

• Doula Jannah , whose guidance kept me grounded and empowered.

• My husband , who stood by me every step of the way, cheering me on even during the toughest moments.

To anyone considering a VBAC, know this: YOU ARE STRONGER THAN YOU THINK. With the right support system and mindset, anything is possible. Trust your body, trust the process, and believe in yourself—you’ve got this!

Story 2

by Eejah

Two C-Sections Couldn’t Stop Me

I hope it gives strength to anyone planning or dreaming of a VBA2C. 💪🏼💛

My Birth History:

• 1st birth: Elective C-section due to baby’s OP (Occiput Posterior—sunny-side up) position. No trial of labour—I just went along with the doctor’s advice because it was my first and I didn’t know better.

• 2nd birth: I attempted a VBAC with Dr. Paul Tseng. Laboured till 6 cm, but dilation had stalled, and this baby was again in the OP position. It ended with an emergency C-section.

So when I found out I was pregnant again for the third time, I told myself, "This time, I want to try for a VBA2C." Some doctors said it could be due to my pelvic shape that both babies were OP. But I did my research and learnt that the pelvis can stretch and adjust—like a rubber band—especially with the right support and bodywork. That gave me hope.

Preparation:
My doula, Kak Jannah (Doula Jannah), suggested I see a chiropractor. So at 6 weeks pregnant, I began adjustments with Dr. Jill (from Chiropractic First), who found my pelvis was tilted to one side. We worked on aligning it throughout my pregnancy.

I also started prenatal yoga to support breathing, body awareness, and pelvic movement—anything to help the baby get into the optimal position. This pregnancy, I put in extra effort because I truly wanted a normal birth.

But it wasn’t always smooth or easy. I had moments of doubt, I cried, and I questioned my husband every week if I was making the right decision. There were fears. Dr. Paul reminded me that if the baby ended up in OP again, the chance of a C-section would still be high. But I stayed firm—I wanted to try. I needed to try.

Then from 35 weeks, I added Ajwa dates and raspberry leaf tea into my daily routine. I also practiced yoga positions before bedtime each night.

Then came the curveball: at 38 weeks, I found out Dr. Paul would be away on my EDD. His covering doctor, Dr. E.K. Tan, would be on duty instead. Naturally I was anxious—but after meeting him, I felt reassured. He was calm, confident, and even better—he told me that my baby was in OA (Occiput Anterior—ideal position)! I quietly celebrated inside, not wanting to jinx it.

Birth Story – 15 April (EDD):
3am – Light cramps began; I went back to sleep.
7am – Mild contractions started. Timed them three times and updated my doula.
9am – Pain picked up slightly, but I stopped timing as suggested by my doula (so I could stay focused on breathing instead). Took a hot shower.
1pm – Ate lunch and distracted myself with K-dramas.
5pm – Stronger surges now. Took another hot shower, but it didn’t help as much. Focused more on my breath.
7pm – It was getting really intense. My husband started timing secretly (turns out he had been timing the whole day).
8.15pm – Kak Jannah called. I couldn’t even speak anymore—so we made the call to go to the hospital.
9pm – While getting ready, my water bag leaked, and the mucus plug came out.
10pm – Arrived at hospital. Surprise! I was already 9 cm dilated!
11.47pm – I gave birth to a 3.67 kg baby boy—a drug-free VBA2C. My husband cut the cord for the very first time. It was everything I dreamed of and more.

Honestly, I never imagined it would happen this way. I laboured at home as long as I could, leaning into everything I learnt—breathing, movement, faith. All the prep, effort, and support truly mattered.

A heartfelt thank you to my doula, Jannah Tayib, for her support during both my 2nd and 3rd pregnancies. And to my husband—thank you for respecting my choices and standing by me through it all.

To every mummy out there hoping for a VBAC/VBA2C — please know this: YOU CAN DO IT. ❤️

Story 3

by Sya