We are Emma and James. Emma is a primary school teacher and James is a journalist. We are parents to our beautiful boy Ben (6 weeks). We took the Happy Parents Happy Baby antenatal classes in Hitchin Clapham.
My pregnancy was great. I was very lucky to have little to no sickness but was very tired in my first trimester and had some food aversions to savoury food. My blood pressure had been really good my entire pregnancy, right up until my 40 weeks appointment when it shot right up. We were sent straight to the hospital and given medication to keep my blood pressure under control. HPHB helped me understand I have options and to trust my instincts.
St Thomas’s in London. It was a great hospital and the midwives were great. The post labour ward was interesting, but overall I was happy with the experience.
Due to my high blood pressure I was induced. I went into hospital on Monday afternoon and was induced in the evening with the pessary. Then I had 2 rounds of the gel. By the second round I was 5cm dilated and in active labour. When my water broke it was clear the baby had pooed, so the midwife monitored him. Within hours I was fully dilated but the baby’s heart rate was getting too low and he was coming face first. At this point a C-section was best and safest for him. He was finally born on Thursday early morning! HPHB had given us so much information on all the types of birth and what to expect that we felt safe we were going in with some knowledge already. We also knew to expect anything and to advocate for ourselves.
Breathing techniques – (3/5)
Morphine – (3/5) – it takes the edge off!
Gas and air – (4/5) – this was my favourite!
Just so happy to finally hold him and see his face. It took a few hours for my brain to comprehend that the baby I had been carrying was in my arms.
All the practical knowledge was so useful (nappy changing, burping etc). It is very hard caring for a newborn after a C-section as you can’t get out of bed in the first 24 hours due to the catheter, so I was glad to have my husband and mum with me. Breastfeeding was a challenge, I didn’t utilise the help early enough and ended up staying in hospital another night to work on breastfeeding. It was not ideal but I’m glad I did it.
His weight gain!
Breastfeeding!! Get help if you need it and early on – don’t suffer!
His smiles – it means so much to see him happy!
Breastfeeding to be so challenging!
Not getting breastfeeding support sooner.
They are all so lovely. We have a mum’s chat and we arrange weekly meet ups and ask questions. I would be so lonely without them.
A water bottle with a straw!
Alcohol (only small amounts obviously).
Sleep suits with zips and lanolin nipple cream!
Muslins!
Knowledge! Ask your parents/family/friend with babies for help or advice. The internet is helpful but there is so much conflicting and unhelpful information.
Free downloadable resources and weekly guides for your pregnancy.
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