Hello. I’m Eliza, a garden designer, and I live with my husband and new baby in Somerset. We love nature and being active, including swimming and walking. We took the Happy Parents Happy Baby antenatal classes in
Clifton.
I was very lucky with my pregnancy and felt generally well throughout, aside from nausea early on. I also tried my best to remain active through the pregnancy, and went swimming twice per week until our due date! Being in the water took the weight off my feet and was a lovely way to relax – especially during the summer heatwaves! I’d really recommend swimming to anyone that feels up to it during their pregnancy. Emotionally, I was very excited but also made sure to relax where possible, wanting to pass on calm energy to the growing baby.
In the labour ward of St Michael’s hospital in Bristol, where we had a C-Section delivery. We felt very comfortable and reassured every step of the way.
We were offered an induction at 40 weeks after concerns the baby needed to arrive sooner rather than later. However, we opted for a planned C-Section. It went well and we felt relaxed and supported. Our baby arrived less than three hours after arriving at the hospital. The HPHB classes were so useful in helping us to prepare and understand our options and what different births could look like. Aside from the reassurance and opportunities to ask questions, it was also a valuable way to meet other new parents.
Given we had a C-Section delivery, we didn’t need to use any of the pain relief techniques we had discussed. However, staying calm before and during the surgery was important, so breathing techniques came in very useful. After the surgery, I was given pain relief medication to take regularly so discomfort was very minimal.
The most prevalent feeling was relief that she had arrived safely! There was a huge rush of emotion, but I also felt quite nauseous from the drugs when we saw the baby for the first time. As such, it was great that my husband was able to hold the baby for skin-to-skin, and I was able to enjoy watching them together while the Caesarean was completed.
I found all the advice from HPHB so valuable, as we previously had no idea what we were doing! It enabled us to be confident with basics like sleep safety, nappy changing and bathing. The first few days were a combination of excitement and joy, as well as learning for everyone! I was lucky to be able to breastfeed straight away, but it still took a while to get comfortable with the techniques that worked for us.
Getting out and about most days with a newborn, and attending a wedding when our baby was three weeks old! Although daunting, it was important to stay connected with friends and socialise.
Trying to encourage our baby to occasionally nap independently, as carrying her constantly is a challenge. We have a ‘Velcro baby’!
Going abroad with a small baby – luckily she slept on the flights!
I wasn’t expecting to worry so much about the baby’s temperature- why is it so hard to get right!
Not introducing the bottle earlier! Now our baby has no interest in taking it after months of breastfeeding, so we’re finding this a challenge.
We meet every week and it’s been a valuable group for advice and second opinions – and keeping a sense of humour when things feel tough!
A fan – our baby was born in a heatwave!
Sushi! I’d really missed raw salmon.
A big soft playmat! Ideal and a beautiful addition to the nursery.
The Baby Bjorn carrier, it’s wonderful for walks as a family.
Don’t have any expectations, and congratulate yourself on little wins every day. Thanks for a great experience!
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