Tell us about your family…

Hello. We are Kara and Jake. Kara is a music publicist and Jake is a boatswain. We are parents to Maeve (12 weeks old) and Jake is also a parent to Tilly (13). We took the Happy Parents Happy Baby antenatal classes in Didsbury.

 

How was your pregnancy?

Pregnancy was fantastic up until the last few weeks where I was extremely uncomfortable. The best thing about HPHB was meeting my other mums. The group have been invaluable for sharing tips and being in the newborn trenches together. 

 

Where did you have your baby?

St Mary’s Manchester. All the staff were amazing but didn’t enjoy being in hospital for two weeks.

 

How was your birth?

I ended up having an induction and assisted birth but thankfully I had prior knowledge of all this from the course so knew what to expect. I was also in hospital for 2 weeks postpartum with postnatal preeclampsia. It was super challenging but I have a wonderful healthy daughter which is all I could ask for. Again having my mum friends from the course in the trenches at the same time was a big help. 

 

How did you keep comfortable?

The course has been particularly helpful regarding general baby safety – so helpful for a very anxious mother. 

 

How did you feel when you first met your baby?

Everything went out the window, but the epidural was fantastic after 26 hrs in labour and allowed me to sleep a few hours until I was fully dialated. 

 

How were the early days with your baby?

I couldn’t believe it at first seeing this baby appear on my chest, I couldn’t hold her at first from the adrenaline shakes.

 

What has been your top triumph?

It was a whirlwind but my goodness what joy.

 

What has been your top challenge?

Stressful with the worry of postnatal preeclampsia but the course definitely helped with breastfeeding.

 

What has been your proudest moment?

Birthing a healthy baby girl with heaps of personality already, she’s been here before this one. 

 

How have your HPHB group supported you?

It’s a great wee community we have and it’s ace to swap tips and get advice and just generally feeling more secure that we are all in this together. 

 

Most useful hospital bag item…

Rubber ring  jokes aside – lots of fresh fruit and soft drinks.

 

What was your best post-birth treat?

Seafood and champagne.

 

Most useful baby item…

Nuna Leaf!

 

One final tip for other expectant parents…

Just go with the flow as what you want for child birth might not go to plan.  Also the same goes for navigating parenthood.

 

---