We are Fiona and Barish. Barish works as a firefighter and Fiona works as a Vet.We are parents to Sofia (8 weeks) and Bodhi the cocker spaniel.
I was quite anxious at the beginning of my pregnancy. The unknown of how my body would react, how I would cope with work commitments and day to day life was daunting. Being part of the HPHB group was great as I was able to chat to other Mum’s-to-be and share pregnancy stories and tips, supporting those earlier in their pregnancies than myself and learning from those a few weeks ahead. (5 years old).
We found the physical tasks most useful in the group interacting with other parents etc. The first aid course was most informative and useful for sure. I just hope we never have to use it.
Exeter hospital. Great experience. Fantastic and caring staff.
My birth was very unexpected and the opposite of what I had hoped and planned for! However, I was able to make informed decisions along every step of the way as I understood our options and could also use the decision making process taught to us on the course to guide us.
Breathing techniques 5/5 – managed to keep control for nearly all 60 hours of labour! – apart from when I started vomiting and towards the end when I was exhausted!
TENS machine 5/5 – I became very reliant on this.
Gas and air 5/5 – only used for a short time as well as epidural when baby ‘dropped’ but it was great.
Epidural 5/5 – saved me after 60 hours! Allowed me to eat.
Relief, love, gratitude and happiness.
Very very difficult and much harder than what we were prepared for. My milk did not come through for a week so we struggled to feed her. We were not set up for breastfeeding at home e.g. chair, side table upstairs and also near bed etc. We did not have any formula in the house when we needed it to top her up. Crying felt very overwhelming, pain from birth and episiotomy and exhaustion very overwhelming, hormone crash very overwhelming. Becoming a mum and being a mum is amazing and best feeling in the world.
Remaining positive, optimistic, resilient throughout labour. Persevering with breastfeeding. We’ve now reached week 8 and she’s jumped up percentiles in body weight and is thriving.
Week 1 and 2. Dealing with little sleep, strict feeding plans, poor milk supply from me, crying baby (possibly pain from forceps delivery), adjusting to being parents and coming to terms with the birth and pain of recovery.
The midwife saying we were discharged from the feeding plan team as she had reached her birth weight again after 3 weeks!
The feeding and aftermath to be so difficult. To have had a forceps delivery and episiotomy – the 2 things I said I really didn’t want! But I surprised myself with getting through it with optimism and grit!
Not preparing more for after the birth.
Great for advice and support postpartum!
Acupuncture comb! I was reliant on this.
Postnatal massage.
Lots of clothes for baby – cute ones make you smile on tough days!
Electric heat mat to warm cot up before we put baby down (obviously removed before baby goes in cot!).
You are tougher than you think and you can get through more than you realise.
Free downloadable resources and weekly guides for your pregnancy.
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