Hello. We are Millie & Danny. Millie works in media and Danny in advertising. We’ve been together for 15 years and have a 5 year old Boston Terrier, Maggie and our gorgeous daughter, Dorothy. We took the Happy Parents Happy Baby antenatal classes in Crystal Palace.
I had a tricky pregnancy, having had three previous miscarriages and a few health complications, I was quite anxious throughout. I was lucky to have frequent midwife/consultant appointments and extra scans throughout my pregnancy, but it was often quite overwhelming. The HPHB sessions gave us the confidence to ask questions and advocate for what we wanted.
We had our daughter in King’s College, London and Dolly’s delivery was totally amazing. I have severe endometriosis and was lucky enough to have an endo specialist carry out my surgery along with the consultant. We said yes to having students present & they were kind enough to capture the moment she was delivered and some really precious moments after.
I had a planned C-section at 37 weeks due to having Anti-Phospholipid Syndrome and was so happy with my decision. Dolly ended up being transverse & a bit stuck, so needed forceps to get her out but thankfully we had already made that decision as I wasn’t keen to get induced. HPHB allowed us to feel prepared with what would be happening at each stage, as well as requesting things like delayed cord clamping & having the curtain lowered to be able to watch Dolly being lifted out.
Breathing Techniques, 4/5 – this helped keep me calm during the spinal & whilst waiting for the endo specialist to arrive.
Totally besotted, overwhelmed & grateful. It had been a few years and a tricky journey to get us to this point & 7 months later it still feels surreal she is ours.
We stayed in hospital for a few days afterwards which ended up being a total blessing. Feeding was hard as Dolly didn’t have a great latch, so we were able to take full advantage of the incredible lactation consultants – by the time we went home we felt confident in how to go about our breastfeeding journey.
Sleeping! I slept terribly during pregnancy and felt like I was able to rest more once she was actually here. Pregnancy tired was much worse for me than being newborn tired.
Getting discharged for a second time. Dorothy was quite jaundiced, so we were readmitted when she was 6 days old for light therapy. We spent a few days back in hospital and tried our best to make the most of some forced rest & bedside picnics!
Bringing home our girly! At times on our journey we didn’t know whether it would be possible for us, but we’re so grateful to have her.
How quickly time flies between feeds!
Not harvesting more colostrum prior to birth. Due to a poor latch, we went through what I thought was a great stash very quickly.
We tend to see each other most weeks! It’s been so great to have people going through the same things as us at the same time and soundboard / get advice from each other. There’s no judgement which is even better.
Fan. The hospital is HOT.
A Marg! The non-alcoholic ones just aren’t the same.
Food deliveries.
Artipoppe Carrier. It was a splurge and either my husband or I have used it daily since she arrived.
Everything is a phase. Good & bad – it will pass!
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