We are Claire and Joe. Claire works as a doctor and Joe is an engineer. We are parents to Edwin known as Teddy and our dog Osa. We took the Happy Parents Happy Baby antenatal classes in Bath.
We were delighted to be pregnant but early pregnancy was a struggle with fatigue and constant nausea as well as an episode of nasty flu. Once well into the second trimester the nausea and vomiting settled and we had a smooth journey until the end of pregnancy. Claire did feel very tired at the end of third trimester and more short of breath. It was hard for her to get used to a changing body, getting slower and not feeling as able to do walking or exercising. The HPHB course helped with preparing for birth and caring for a baby but also importantly helped to create a network of new parents.
Hospital, glad we had always planned for the hospital as events meant that was the only option in the end.
Birth was eventful, Claire was induced and her waters were broken at 40+11. It went pretty fast from there but Teddy was struggling and labour wasn’t progressing, so we ended up with a 4am C-section. It was actually a real party-like atmosphere when we had the section and the staff made it feel very special. It was strange for Claire being on the other side of the drapes having worked in that same theatre previously.
Breathing – 4/5 – something to concentrate on.
TENS -5/5 – really helpful once surges started.
Paracetamol – 5/5
Birth ball- 5/5
Birth comb-4/5 also helpful to concentrate on something else during a surge.
Gas and air -1/5 -(vomited a lot)
Epidural 5/5 – essential in the end.
Emotional. It had been a long wait and he was finally here.
We had a tough first few days being readmitted with weight loss jaundice and feeding issues. We were pleased that Claire had done so much antenatal colostrum harvesting to practice expressing. Nothing prepared us for the sleep deprivation. Our course had helped prepare us for lots of eventualities and an understanding of breastfeeding and how to manage supply early on.
Getting through the first 2 weeks and spending 12 of 15 days at or in the hospital.
Being in and out of hospital and therefore not having the magical postpartum bubble at home on the sofa.
Seeing Teddy’s first smiles!
To struggle with breastfeeding.
Not reading up more on the fourth trimester and breastfeeding.
We have a lovely supportive group and have shared some of our struggles in these early newborn weeks.
TENS machine and NEOM electric diffuser.
That post birth tea & very buttery toast.
Food related care packages-cheese, biscuits, chocolates and brownies.
Love2dream swaddles.
Try to tell people your due window and if you go post dates keep moving, and find some distractions and try to ignore your phone messages!
Also, HPHB is a great course. Thank you.
Free downloadable resources and weekly guides for your pregnancy.
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