We are Robyn + Nat. Robyn is a SEN teacher and Nat is a musician and artist and we are parents to Stanley (3 months). We took the Happy Parents Happy Baby antenatal classes in Brighton.
I had a pretty straight forward pregnancy, apart from a diagnosis of gestational diabetes at around 30 weeks. I felt very well supported and informed and luckily it didn’t seem to have much of an impact on the baby!
I had my baby in hospital in Brighton. My midwife was absolutely incredible and made me feel in control, supported and calm.
On the Wednesday morning we went into hospital thinking we would come home with a baby but alas that was not the case as my waters hadn’t broken and I wasn’t dilated at all! The hypnobirthing techniques I learnt at HBPB, especially the breathing techniques, helped me get through the next couple of days until we headed back into hospital on the Friday and Stanley joined us at 6:23pm via vaginal, (mostly) unmedicated birth! I felt absolutely exhausted but absolutely incredible!
Breathing techniques (5/5) – didn’t necessarily reduce pain but helped me focus and feel less overwhelmed.
Birthing comb (2/5) – used in early stages of labour and helped distract, but didn’t notice a huge reduction in pain.
Gas and air (5/5) – nice to know it was there if I needed it but didn’t feel like I had to use it the whole time, useful tool to help focus on breathing.
Indescribable! My husband and I just looked at each other like “what on earth?!”. Mostly because we were so in awe at this little person we made and had been dreaming up what he’d look like for so long, but also maybe because he pooped on his way out so was absolutely covered in meconium haha!
Although I’d hardly slept for 60+ hours, I was running on adrenaline for the first day or so, but found night 2 physically and emotionally exhausting. I remember sobbing into a muslin at 2am feeling so overwhelmed by breastfeeding, but also feeling so in love and wanting to sit and stare at my baby instead of sleep. I was so shocked by the amount of time I spent feeding, but tried to practice tips we learnt during our HPHB sessions such as different feeding positions.
Exclusively breastfeeding has felt like a real win.
Also breastfeeding – the first few weeks were a real challenge.
Making it through such a long labour.
The amount of time spent breastfeeding in the early days.
Spending too much time on social media comparing my baby to others – every baby is so different!
Having the mum group chat has been invaluable for sharing experiences and local baby events/clubs to go along to!
A travel fan – labour wards get sweaty (especially in summer!)
Oh my WORD the post birth tea and toast is unbeatable (especially after having gestational diabetes!)
A box full of snacks we could eat one handed in the middle of the night!
White noise machine!
Take advice you’re given with a pinch of salt – trust your gut!
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