Hello. We are Sophie and Forest. Sophie is a teacher and Forest works in the theatre. We are parents to Beckett (3 months) and cat Peggy. We took the Happy Parents Happy Baby antenatal classes in Colchester.
My pregnancy was tough – Hyperemesis Gravidarum from 9 weeks pregnant which subsided at 7 months, teaching through the sickness and then being heavily pregnant during summer! HPHB helped prepare us by telling us what was normal during pregnancy, and what we can do to support my body during and after pregnancy.
Colchester Hospital – they were great!
I was nervous for birth and the idea of pushing and tearing scared me the most. HPHB told us statistics and realistic examples which helped calm me. I was overdue (and a bigger person) so they wanted to induce me. But I went into natural labour at midnight on Thursday, by 2am on the Friday I was in active labour and had 1.5 minute contractions 1 minute apart. HPHB taught us the phases of labour, how partners can support, and what to do in between. Forest ran me a bath which really helped the pain. I got to hospital at 3am 9cm dilated, too late for an epidural, and had Beckett at 6am.
I used the breathing techniques taught to us which helped me navigate the pain. It didn’t take it away, but it kept me calm knowing how to use my breath. Beckett cried straight away and was perfect when born. I had a minor second degree tear but that was all! I am lucky to have only positives in my birth story and, despite being a control freak, I was able to relinquish control to Forest as I knew we were both as prepared as we could be. I’m so happy I wasn’t induced and was able to go through natural labour with my only pain relief being gas and air. HPHB told me how to utilise my body and remain calm even when my thoughts and anxieties were there too.
Breathing techniques 5/5, kept me calm and distracted by focusing on where I was breathing in my body and how long for.
Bath 3/5, helped during the contractions but awkward getting out the bath!
Gas and air 5/5, doesn’t stop you from feeling the pain at the time but you forget it very quickly. Calms you down and makes you drowsy.
Overwhelmed and proud that I had done this!
Having Beckett in July during the heatwave we were worried about overheating. We swaddled with a muslin that was taught to us in a session and referred back to the videos to help. He is solely breastfed and HPHB helped us with feeding positions, how Forest can support me whilst feeding, and what to expect when changing nappies.
Being able to understand the different cries (HPHB was right with the sounds and their meanings) and being able to meet his needs straight away.
We love our sleep so the sleepless nights weren’t fun!
Going out to get a coffee on day 3 and feeling like a proper family.
How natural it is to be a parent.
3am feeding chats, walks, advice from fellow parents.
Disposable nappies and maternity pads from Sainsburys – they are the most comfortable!
The longest, warmest everything shower to feel myself again.
Vibrating bouncer.
C pillow for breastfeeding, tummy time, back support, sleeping with during pregnancy. Rocking chair in his room. Stops me falling asleep with him in my arms as I am sat up. It also has pockets in for night snacks!
You will find your own way to navigate. Comparison is the thief of joy. Trust yourself because intuition triumphs everything.
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