Hello. We are Keri and Darren, Darren works as a Sales Director and Keri works in the construction industry. We are the parents of baby George. We took the Happy Parents Happy Baby antenatal classes in Hitchin.
We are hugely into forward planning and preparing, so the course was great to ensure we had the essentials and that we were mentally prepared for birth and looking after our baby. We learnt to be flexible with our preferences and learnt important knowledge like baby first aid! We felt ready when our due date arrived and prepared for other things to come like our little ones first jabs and potential fevers.
Hospital and the midwives were very supportive.
I started labour at 40+2 days and it lasted longer than expected…40+5 when he arrived. My tips to pass on are that cervix dilation is subjective and try not to get disheartened if you’re not as far along as you thought/hoped. Also, not all contractions are the same. Midwives can help you be more comfortable. I loved my birth once it was established! Waterbirth with gas and air, relaxing and hydrating between contractions – the midwives looked at me sideways as he was born because I smiled and said he would definitely be having siblings! HPHB gave me coping mechanisms and techniques to deal with early labour such as resting, hydrating, snacking and keeping active/on the ball!
Waterbirth 5/5
Gas and Air 5/5
Codine for back contractions 5/5
Peanut ball 2/5 with gas and air it made me a bit dissy.
Spinal block to remove the placenta and injection were scary as I wanted to give birth without them, but the midwife reassured me, came with me everywhere and pain was minimal.
Hypnobirthing… I wasn’t keen in my plan but in the moment of birthing it actually really helped having someone cheer you on saying you can do it!
Overwhelming joy, explosion of the heart with tears! The world is in your hands and it needs you.
I felt ready, I did always forget to check the nappy but luckily Darren never forgot! Hormones do kick in to help you through and my recovery was not something I take for granted, I bounced back quickly and felt I was able to get a handle on things quickly which made me happy. George was latching and feeding well – albeit some blisters! A very positive first week!
Breast feeding and weight gain! He didnt loose his birthweight and took to breast very well, it was something I really wanted to do.
Seeing the first smiles and cooing, after all the hard work and sleepless nights, around the 8 week mark they reward you with their smiles of appreciation!
He only poops every 7-9 days… for weeks I was convinced he was constipated but I learnt that for breast fed babies it can be the norm and even up to 2 weeks! It was a nice unexpected thing to get used to!
None, I’ve loved every moment being a parent and learnt so much along the way! Wake windows, cues, techniques for getting to sleep or burping/winding or getting through fussy witching hours, its all trial and error and you should just be kind to yourself as you are doing your best.
Omg, its the best community, the middle of the night company, comparing notes ‘does yours do this?’ ‘How do you get though that’ or just an open space to rant and talk to an adult! I have met friends for life with HPHB.
Nipple cream.
Sushi and a date night… with baby asleep on the lap of course.
A mini portable night light (dim), I use it every night for not waking Darren or George to do a quick nappy check or prepping to feed without the main light!
A mini white noise speaker for the pram/car seat – it also does rain noise or spa like piano songs, helps calm a fussy baby or soothe to sleep!
Write a list of non-baby related topics you talk about, when the baby is in bed and its just you two, make sure you enjoy it and remember your relationship and appreciation of each other too! It’s amazing how a baby can take so much time awake and asleep.
Free downloadable resources and weekly guides for your pregnancy.
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