I’m Claire and I’m a Psychotherapist, Taran is a Doctor in medical research. We are parents to Leovir aged 12 weeks. We took the Happy Parents Happy Baby antenatal classes in Epsom.
I found out I was pregnant for the first time aged 45! I signed up to HPHB because I wanted to do everything I could to support myself in pregnancy and when the baby was born. I liked the local setting and course design with both in person and online content. I was keen to try to have a vaginal delivery, and wanted to meet other parents who I could connect with after I’d had my baby.
I had my baby in hospital in the delivery suite. I had a room with a toilet and although I didn’t get a water birth, I felt safe and private in my room. The midwives and doctors were fantastic.
I went to 41 weeks and was being encouraged by the doctors and midwives to consider having induction but I knew this might mean I couldn’t have a water birth which was my preferred choice. I had tried everything to encourage my labour to start, raspberry leaf tea, keen walking, acupuncture, hot curry, but he was comfy in there! So I agreed to start induction.
I had a hormone pessary inserted and immediately my contractions began, intensely. My baby was born 11 hours later, and he was still in his sac! It is called an en caul birth. My waters only broke when my midwife gave me an episiotomy. It was intense and wonderful to feel my baby make his appearance into the world. I had decided I didn’t want a birth partner and felt fully supported by the midwives. I only had gas and air and afterwards I was astounded at what the body can do to enable you to birth the baby.
I just used gas and air once my contractions became intense, and water. I completely forgot about using a TENS machine, which stayed in my bag!
Seeing my baby for the first time was surreal. Such a mix of happy, elated, anticipation, curiosity about this little person.
The first 6 days of my baby’s life were spent in hospital as the paediatric team felt he had an infection so various tests had to be performed. He was put on antibiotics. He then got jaundiced and needed to be under the blue light for a couple of days. He had to wear a little mask to protect his eyes that made him look like a bandit! Having done the course I felt able to navigate these early challenges, breastfeeding went well and he was able to feed for food and comfort. Also being in touch with the other mums from the course was hugely reassuring.
Breastfeeding has been a joy, it’s such a bonding experience and I have been so thankful to not have any latch issues.
My biggest challenge has been my back pain which developed after a few weeks of lifting and carrying my baby.
My proudest moment was the birth, being able to push my baby out into the world!
I wasn’t expecting my waters to not break until the last minute of my labour!
Having a supportive peer group of fellow first time mums is so special. We can offer emotional and practical support to one another and our babies.
My water bottle! And my cooling spray!
Maltesers!
Zip up onesies for those wriggly legs when changing nappies!
A moses basket.
Do the HPHB course, read all the content but enjoy your unique birth journey an thank You to Izzy our HPHB midwife course leader.
Free downloadable resources and weekly guides for your pregnancy.
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