We are Charlotte and Jonny. Charlotte works in advertising and Jonny in education. We are parents to 3.5 year old Isla and 6 week old Ottilie, plus our cat Jim. We took the Happy Parents Happy Baby antenatal classes in Fleet.
Overall a great pregnancy, but I was very tired towards the end with a toddler to also look after.
I had a home birth, which I found so empowering and I really liked how it made me feel much more in control of my birth being in a safe environment where I could fully relax. I believe this is why my birth was so euphoric. It was so lovely to already be at home immediately after birth and be in my own space with my own bed and privacy once the midwives cleaned up and left us to it.
I had an amazing water birth at home and I was so excited to see an inflatable birth pool mentioned and pictured in one of the course sessions.
Breathing techniques, 5/5, this worked right until the end to help me through each contraction.
Combs, 5/5, used these mostly during transition when the surges were the most intense.
Water, 5/5, I used the birth pool throughout my labour, getting in and out as I felt I needed, and I spent the full final stage in the pool.
Euphoric.
A beautiful blur of skin to skin, contact naps and trying to settle into feeding. HPHB helped me with feeding and sleep techniques like swaddling.
Managing to do bedtime with Ottilie and Isla on my own, a true juggle!
Surprising breastfeeding. I breastfed my first until 14 months so I thought I’d just pick it back up relatively easily, but Ottilie had a tongue tie which took a while to get diagnosed and we’re still working on her latch now at 6 weeks so I still have some pain.
Watching my eldest helping and cuddling Ottilie.
I wasn’t expecting her to sleep as well as she is, very different to my first baby!
My only slight regret was getting a sweep, part of me wishes I just let my body and baby start things when they were ready. I didn’t have any with my first, but towards the end of my pregnancy I was getting inpatient and feeling the pressure from doctors for induction (I had a sweep and went into labour at 41+5).
It’s been lovely having a group of people to ask questions to, and not feel alone in everything (especially the middle of the night)!
Lucozade!
McDonald’s – I was thinking about it for a couple of weeks before labour!
Afternoon tea at home box – a yummy treat for us!
Swaddle sleep sack.
It’s ok and completely normal to feel overwhelmed. Even though we’ve done it before I’ve still had several moments of feeling completely overwhelmed and clueless – everyone goes through it but you’ll soon settle into it. Follow your instincts.
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