Our beautiful daughter Saiisha Simone Swaminathan was born to us on 08.08.08 just after midnight in the loving environment of Corinna’s Birthing Center in Assagao. But my birth story started at my birth; to my days as a girl playing with my dolls; to the ripe age of 19 when I started training as a midwife; to the present as I research maternal health, illness and death. So much goes into our birth stories. But when I became pregnant, something shifted and the daydreaming child, the midwife and the researcher melted away while a new mother emerged.

Our birth story is so special to us and is unique only to us. Yet at Corinna’s birth center, it is business as usual. We were well prepared by Corinna’s childbirth classes. My husband, Vishnu, was fully involved in all the preparation, birth and aftercare. My close friend, Asha, was present beside us for the birth as well. When I was hungry in labor I ate freely. Thirsty, I drank freely. When I was fearful or unsure I cried or asked for help and was enveloped with compassion. Even when I didn’t know I needed help it was there. With every contraction there was at least two pairs of loving hands to sooth me. We had sooo many questions as new parents. Each one was answered with seasoned wisdom.

Our daughter was born vaginally 3 days after my due date only with known, loving people around her, under soft light, in a calm environment, without induction, pain medication, forceps, counting to 10 as I pushed, episiotomy or any of the other innumerable unnecessary interventions practiced so commonly today. I gave birth sitting up on the birth stool. I did not tear or require stitches. Our daughter happily began nursing just minutes after she was born. Her full newborn exam, weighing etc… was done next to us as we watched and Corinna explained what she was doing.

Working in maternal health care for so many years, I have seen the best and the worst of what is possible when pregnant and birthing women are in the care of trusted practitioners. From my experience, I can gratefully say, we received some of the best care in the world from Corinna: more caring, professional and thorough than I could have ever hoped for.

The birth of me as a mother, Vishnu as a father and Saiisha as a delicate, unique, new being could not have been possible with such tranquility, dignity and well being were it not for Corinna’s love, intelligence and protection. You are such an amazing resource to the women of India. We are forever truly grateful to you, Peter, your back up doctors, all the staff at the center and everyone and every thing that make the center run so smoothly. But especially to you, Corinna, for making it possible. Thank you for each moment you spent with us. You give so much. We are truly blessed.