Hello. We are Rakhee (an account manager) and Sam (an aircraft engineer) we are parents of baby Nico. We came on the Happy Parents Happy Baby antenatal classes in Twickenham.
Good. I planned to give birth at the birth centre and used Hypnobirthing techniques to help me get ready. I read positive affirmations out loud daily.
I used hypnobirthing and the BRAIN acronym throughout, to make the right choices for me and my baby. The online portal was also helpful as I kept referring to this especially towards the end.
I managed to dilate to 7cm with the breathing techniques we learned in class and I was adamant I wanted to use only gas and air. This was my first baby and I had no clue of what it would actually feel like. By 8cm I asked the doctor for an epidural where I could control how much. I clicked it twice and told the midwife I wanted to feel Nico come out and not be fully numb so she advised me when I should not click anymore. My labour was a total of 15 hours and from 8cm he was born in just 4 hours.
The TENS machine was soo handy, I would recommend it, as well as essential oils which I used throughout. Breathing techniques also helped get me through.
As soon as he was born I had him on my chest for the golden hour and he latched on. We started in the birth centre but had to be moved to the labour ward as he had done a poo inside. I found that knowing the significance of this, helped me to accept and be more calm about what was going to happen next. His heart was being monitored in the labour ward which was fine untill his head started making an appearance and they said you need to push or we will have to assist. When they said this, I knew they meant the foreceps or suction. I asked my partner to change the playlist background music and pushed to get him safely out. After we also found out he had the umbilical cord wrapped around his neck.
Safe sleeping and knowing what to expect from the nappies on the first few days helped and well as getting as much rest as possible. It can be really overwhelming for new parents on the first night but baby is also adjusting to the new world, we found being in our baby bubble really helped us. Getting to know our baby boy was important before we introduced him to family and friends.
Finally seeing my baby boy and welcoming him to the world with the calm energy we had throughout labour. Even though we had moved to labour ward we still had the same set up of fairy lights and meditation affirmations playing in the background and in my eyes it was perfect.
My top challenge was breast feeding but the midwives are super helpful at the hospital and the cafes and drop in clinics are super helpful too. Don’t give up! Keep trying and ask for help within a few days – you will find what works for you best.
Being able to give birth to a beautiful baby boy using the breathing techniques and hypnobirthing techniques.
At 38 weeks they offered me an induction by referring me to a doctor this was very unexpected as I had no underlying medical issues and I had a very smooth pregnancy. They said it was my age that could be a risk. I had done so much research that I felt this decision was not right for me using the BRAIN tool I pushed back and said I wanted to go to 41 weeks to give myself time to go into natural labour and at 40 weeks I had a sweep. Nico was born 40 plus two days.
No regrets – HPHB helped me make the right choices for myself and baby being able to know my rights and understanding birth gave me the confidence.
They helped with advice throughout the birth and with feeding.
Water bottle and tens machine!
Jo molone shower gel.
The Moses basket was super handy in the living room for nap times and when we wanted to be hands free.
4moms rocker.
Everything is new – take your time, be patient and don’t be hard on yourself.
Free downloadable resources and weekly guides for your pregnancy.
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