We are Rachel, Dave and little Theo! (Age 3 1/2 months). Dave works in IT and I work in the charity sector. We took the Happy Parents Happy Baby antenatal classes in Epsom.
My pregnancy was incredibly challenging – sickness for the first trimester, 9 UTIs and 4 Long hospital stays due to kidney stones (never had either before pregnancy!), alongside other issues!
HPHB helped me massively – I felt like I could conquer anything afterwards – especially the birth side of things as that’s what I was most afraid of! They taught me that each contraction is only for a short window of time, so I did the breathing exercises they taught us and kept thinking how it would only last a minute and then I would get a rest! It worked!
Epsom Hospital on the hottest day of the year! The staff were amazing but bring a fan – it gets hot there!
My birth was surprisingly smooth sailing compared to pregnancy! I just used gas and air and the breathing techniques they taught us at the classes! My waters broke at 1am and by 4am the next day my contractions were close enough together to go to hospital. I then had Theo at midday! I think I was pleasantly surprised with how smoothly it all went after my turbulent pregnancy! The hospital was incredible and I felt fully prepared from the HPHB classes. We had watched videos and knew the ins and outs of every possibility. I went in with all the knowledge but none of the fear!
Breathing techniques- helped alongside gas and air
The tens machine did nothing for me but ive heard good things for other people!
The positions they taught us at HPHB really helped – I lent over things quite a lot haha!
So, so in love. All the pain just melts away.
Tiring but good! I felt strong and ready to take him home! I loved the course and how inclusive it was (not just preaching breast is best but teaching formula too!). I enjoyed knowing how to swaddle, how to use the carriers etc the most. Recovery from birth went well for me but I felt good knowing I’d learnt everything I could if it hadn’t been simple!
Keeping him alive!
No, honestly, surviving birth through just gas and air because of the breathing techniques etc . learnt at these classes! It’s amazing what your body can do.
Learning to cope with broken sleep haha!
Watching him grow into such a healthy happy boy!
The sheer hormone crashes – you get taught about it but nothing can prepare you for those first few weeks of emotion!
They gave me confidence for birth more than anything! It was what I was most afraid of.
A fan!!!
The tea and toast at the hospital. I don’t even like tea but it’s something else after birth haha!
Weirdly – a car toy – a spiral that goes over the handle – he loves the car now because of it! But also, nappies.
Sleep sacks.
You can do it! Everything is only temporary and so with any bad day, there is a great day around the corner.
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