Russian blogger Polina Chistyakova has revealed details about giving birth to her daughter in the United States, sharing her experience in a video uploaded to YouTube.
Chistyakova, who lives in the US with her husband, Russian stand-up comedian Danila Poperechny, said that her delivery was not complicated and that both her husband and a birth assistant were present with her in the hospital.
The influencer explained that doctors induced her labor, and approximately nine hours passed from the onset of her first painful contraction until the birth of her baby. She described the intense physical sensation during strong contractions as feeling like being on a high-speed amusement park ride from which she wanted to get off but could not, adding that the pain was so severe she did not know what to do with herself.
When the medical staff placed the newborn on her chest, Chistyakova recalled experiencing a complete surge of overwhelming emotion. She also confirmed that her daughter did not sustain any injuries during the delivery process.
Hospital birth and doula support
In her video update, Chistyakova noted the presence of a doula alongside Poperechny throughout her time at the medical facility. A doula is a trained, non-medical birth companion who provides continuous physical, emotional, and informational support to mothers before, during, and immediately following childbirth.
The practice of employing a doula during hospital births in the United States has grown increasingly common, providing personalized care to complement traditional clinical teams during labor induction and delivery.
Family background and relocation
Reports that Chistyakova and Poperechny had become parents first emerged in late July, when the couple announced the arrival of their daughter, named Michelle.
Poperechny is a prominent Russian stand-up comedian and video creator who built a large online following through satirical comedy and public commentary. He was designated as a foreign agent by the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation, a legal status in Russia that imposes strict auditing requirements and disclosure labels on public figures and content creators who receive foreign funding or are deemed under foreign influence.
Following their move to the United States, the couple has continued to document their personal lives and career updates for their international digital audience through social media platforms including YouTube.
