We are Jess and Jack. We run a photography business together and are parents to Daisy (almost 3 months). We took the Happy Parents Happy Baby antenatal classes in Hackney.
My pregnancy began with a lot of anxiety and fear, which is what led me to find Hypnobirthing. It helped me to completely re-wire the way I viewed birth and I eventually grew to love being pregnant and felt excited about my birth.
Having a home-birth was the most surreal, empowering and magical experience of my life.
I had a planned home-birth and my daughter was born calmly in water. It was completely magical and turned out exactly as I had hoped. I’m forever grateful that I followed my instincts to do it this way! The pain was hard, but manageable and I was surprised and empowered by how much controlled breathing could carry me through the whole thing.
Breathing techniques 5/5 – kept my body calm and felt like it muted the pain.
Standing leaning against the kitchen counter and swaying 5/5 – felt natural for my body and moved things along quickly.
TENS 4/5 – pain distraction.
Paracetamol 2/5 – didn’t notice much of a difference.
Clary sage 5/5 – seemed to help the labour go faster!
Gas and air 5/5 – helped me maintain controlled breathing.
Pool 5/5 – warm water was such a relief and helped me stay calm.
I felt shocked, it took me ages to process and I still haven’t fully! Her eyes were so wide and dark against the vernix, staring up at me like she’d just landed from another planet!
I felt extremely emotional and exhausted. I used my breathing techniques well into the fourth trimester to help me sleep and to stay calm whilst learning to breastfeed. I also felt extremely grateful for my experience and excited to just spend every second staring at her.
Delivering my baby at home and breastfeeding exclusively.
Sleep has been really challenging. I have a very AWAKE baby who is just fascinated by the world!
Seeing her smile for the first time, we must be doing something right!
My labour was extremely fast so I wasn’t expecting to be having such strong surges so quickly, it took a while for the whole experience to sink in afterwards.
Allowing so many visitors when I knew I didn’t want them.
It’s amazing knowing I am part of a network I can drop in and out of whenever I need.
Not and item but a good playlist prepared of all your favourite, most empowering songs.
Watermelon all day everyday.
Sensory toys!
A very good carrier.
Follow your instincts!
Free downloadable resources and weekly guides for your pregnancy.
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