Hi. We are Ria and Marios. We took took the Happy Parents Happy Baby antenatal classes in Oxford.
During the first trimester I felt extremely nauseous most of the time. I’m not sure morning sickness is a good description for this! Doing a course with HPHB was reassuring at the end of the pregnancy in preparation for the birth.
I wanted to create as relaxed an atmosphere as possible. I bought a colour changing egg lamp, and made a playlist. These things helped immensely, especially the music. Once we arrived at the hospital. I was examined and found to be dilated 2cm. The doctor said “I can see a lot of hair”, which felt immensely exiting and real. We were treated so well during the whole labour. We went straight into a delivery suite which had amazing facilities. A ball, rocking chair, floor mat and good hospital chair. We felt extremely lucky.
HPHB helped to prepare for what to expect in the birth.
The waters broke in an explosion like a balloon bursting. The baby’s heart-rate had been monitored using a mobile device. This then became harder as I needed to move around lots. They needed to put a device into the baby’s head to monitor the heart-rate. Lots of people came into the room and it felt quite overwhelming. They needed to get the baby out quickly as her heart-rate was dropping. I had also started a some gas and air and felt a bit “out of it”. I don’t know if I’d have that again. I was asked if I would consent to having an instrumental delivery, which I did, despite not wanting this, as you just want the best for the baby. I was asked to push and did with everything I had, luckily I found I still had something left. Our daughter was delivered safely at 4am. She weighted on 5 lb 4 but was amazing and healthy. We stayed in the hospital for 6 days to monitor her weight and jaundice.
Wave motion and breathing technique with a “winner flow” device. 5/5 felt very in control and relaxed. Enabled a fast labour.
Shower with relaxing aromatherapy 5/5 – relaxing and took my mind off things.
Aromatherapy vaporiser 5/5
Music 5/5
Gas and air 2/5 – Made me feel really out of it and not in control.
It was hard to believe she was there. I was exhausted but it was an incredible moment as she started to suckle. It kicked in afterwards more for me.
The first days were hard. Taking it in turns overnight worked for us to enable us to get some sleep at least.
Breastfeeding was the hardest thing I’ve ever done while being sleep deprived.
Looking at our beautiful baby in the middle of the night. Feeling in awe of her.
It’s been great having a night shift chat and meeting up with the babies.
Good sanitary pads for afterwards.
A shower.
Floor blanket.
A good cot that rocks.
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