Tell us about your family…

We are Stevie and Leah, parents of Juniper who is 2 months old. We took the Happy Parents Happy Baby antenatal classes in Caversham.

 

How was your pregnancy?

I generally had a good pregnancy but being a first time mum, it was very overwhelming and anxiety driven. I found there was so much information out there that I didn’t know where to look and what to listen to. Doing HPHB definitely helped put my mind at rest and gave me everything I needed to know in small, manageable chunks. It was great to be able to practice things in the sessions rather than just read about it and it was super helpful that my husband got to be involved in it too. The online portal was also really useful as I could go back and have a look at things in my own time.

 

Where did you have your baby?

At home and it was amazing.

 

How was your birth?

Going into birth I felt really prepared thanks to the HPHB course. I was fortunate enough to have my dream home birth and I found I was able to put into practice the hypnobirthing breathing techniques we had tried in the course. Giving birth was the most amazing experience and I don’t think it would have been as special if I hadn’t done the course and learned how to breathe properly and stay calm.

 

How did you keep comfortable?

Breathing techniques, paracetamol; tens machine, birth pool, gas and air, holding a comb.

 

How did you feel when you first met your baby?

So many emotions I can’t even describe!

 

How were the early days with your baby?

I found it all really overwhelming but I felt confident from the course that everything that was happening to my body was completely normal and I would recover.

 

What has been your top triumph?

My top triumph was having my home birth!

 

What has been your top challenge?

Breastfeeding has been 10000x harder than I expected and I wish I had been more prepared for this.

 

What has been your proudest moment?

My proudest moment was delivering my baby and being the first to touch her and pick her up out of the pool.

 

One thing you weren’t expecting…

How hard breastfeeding can be.

 

How have your HPHB group supported you?

We have a very active group chat which has been amazing in the early hours of the morning to know you’re not alone. The mums also meet up every week which has been really wonderful to have a sense of community in a time that could be really lonely.

 

Most useful hospital bag item…

A comb to hold in labour!

 

What was your best post-birth treat?

All the chocolate!

 

Most useful baby item…

Nipple shields and cream and silver cups.

 

What was your most useful gift?

The sling!

 

One final tip for other expectant parents…

Don’t panic if you don’t enjoy every second, it gets better and easier!

 

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