The foundation or rather motto of Daimaas Natural Birth & Wellness Centre is to give the Woman of Today the dignity to choose the way she wishes to birth. When Dr Veda was introduced to Natural Birthing by a friend(midwife)in 2007;she being an Obg/Gyn had to unlearn many a things which was taught in medical school. After researching, learning and absorbing all that we could about midwifery and natural birthing we launched Daimaas on 5th June 2011. Originally this was a 40 year old nursing home called Dr Sherekar's Hospital run by Dr Veda's mom who herself was a well known Obg/Gyn,we converted this into Daimaas Natural Birth & Wellness Centre.
The sole purpose for launching Daimaas was with regards to the Indian woman who is educated, well traveled, knowledgeable and has access to the best brands in the world and luxuries too and yet when it comes to birthing everyone else decides about it other than her whereas it's her body. We decided we would give her the privilege and the dignity to choose and decide how she wishes to bring her baby into this world.
Daimaas is designed in a fashion wherein you feel you are at your mother's home;the complete look & feel is homely. We provide everything to the would be mom from toiletries to choice of food to flowers and personalized attention is given pampering her and making her realize that this momentous event is joyous and enjoyable not to be scared off or dreaded. Pregnancy and birthing is a celebration its not a disease.
Though we have a homely atmosphere we are fully equipped for any eventuality. We have a full fledged OT in house and an excellent team of doctors(Obg/Gyn,Anesthetist, Pediatrician) and also NICU back up in case need be. All our mom's are personally taken care of by Dr Veda from the time they come till they go back home.
Natural Birthing basically is non medicalized, non interventional,vaginal birth. Before doctors came on the scene it was the midwives who managed births. Women from the beginning of time birthed naturally; doctors came when emergencies were involved. Doctors have a crucial role to play especially where emergencies are involved but till such time midwives who are trained & skillfull are best suited for a pregnant mom.
Natural birthing is beneficial for both,mother and child. With natural birthing the child gets all the necessary hormones as a result has higher immunity and the mother recovers faster; comes out stronger emotionally and physically.
Natural birthing as stated earlier is as old as man and we had a midwifery model of care till medicalization came up. Today's Indian woman is aware & knowledgeable and as a result is getting back to natural birthing which is the best form of birthing. It is picking up gradually in India but will take a long time to become the norm.
In India we always had midwives who were called "dai's" and gradually they have become extinct; they still exist in some of the villages of India. These "dai's" or midwives were skilled and generally learned the trade from either their mother's or a senior midwife. Unlike countries like Sweden,Norway and other western countries where midwifery is part of mainstream healthcare;in India its taken a backseat. With nursing taking over from midwifery and medicalization creeping in and again no formal system of educating or upgrading the knowledge of midwives, it became a dying profession. Midwives were always blamed for infant mortality which was partly true but the male dominated society that we live in, most of the mortality was primarily because the parents or elders didn't want the girl child.
If we need to re-introduce midwifery into India we will need to create a whole new genre of midwives who are educated and skilled to take on the challenges of birthing.
The healthcare system which has always been neglected if did adopt the midwifery model of care especially in the villages it will truly transform the health of the women and infants to be borne. Even today nutrition, proper diet,medication and basic hygiene are grossly missing in the villages of India.
Strangely enough though we live in cities yet we see neglect even with women here too. Maybe they are in better living conditions but yet they do not get the attention they need;many a times its just her and her mother or mother in law who come for consultation as its her responsibility to give birth and not the husband's. The "others" in her life decide where,when & how she gives birth. The Indian woman needs to reclaim her birth.