VBAC (Vaginal Birth After Caesarean) or Caesarean? A recurring question that has been on my mind now for a good few months. The decision feels much more weighty this time round. In my first pregnancy… More
Raising a child with a “disability”
Before trying for a baby and whilst pregnant with twins, it never dawned on me that I might be raising just one of them; a twinless twin who was born three months premature and had a severe bleed to her brain at one week old.
Am I ok?
Pre-school
I didn’t intend Charlotte to start pre-school until next March, 2019. I wanted to wrap her up in cotton wool for another winter, have another year of allowing her lungs to become stronger and protect her from catching any nasty coughs or colds. I hoped to avoid her being admitted to hospital again this winter. Continue reading “Am I ok?”
Sleep Training
How did I come to the decision to sleep train Archie?
As far as I can remember, I didn’t have any problems with sleep with Charlotte. I’m pretty certain she went to having just one feed at around 3 or 4am at an early age and didn’t experience any four month sleep regression. From memory, I got a good night’s sleep, well at least enough hours under my belt to be able to function and string a sentence together.
Archie, on the other hand, just about broke me. Continue reading “Sleep Training”
The bliss of normality
I had this picture of Archie being born, my Mum and Dad bringing Charlotte in and me blissfully cuddling my two babies in my arms. I think I was slightly naive about how I would feel after giving birth. Continue reading “The bliss of normality”
To a mother on the neonatal unit
To a mother on the neonatal unit,
Firstly, I want to say to you, that you are doing amazing. Continue reading “To a mother on the neonatal unit”
Archibald James Campbell
I’ve been wanting to write Archie’s birth story since the moment he was born. However, I have barely been able to string two words together let alone write in punctuated paragraphs. Eight weeks later, while Charlotte and Archie are asleep, I’m giving it a go. Continue reading “Archibald James Campbell”
Will my heart feel whole again?
My history with grief
Up until Esme died, I was very fortunate that the only grief I had experienced was that of losing three grandparents. Continue reading “Will my heart feel whole again?”
Third Trimester
Here I am, well into my third trimester with a big bump, a waddle to be proud of and the wonderful feeling of strong kicks throughout the day. For weeks, months, even years, I have dreamt of being this pregnant. There is such a big sense of achievement, relief and hope that comes with being in my ninth month of pregnancy. Continue reading “Third Trimester”
Motherhood and Anxiety
Living with my anxiety: intolerance of uncertainty
By finding the courage to share my anxieties, I realise that I’m not alone and that it’s perfectly normal and natural to have those thoughts. I guess they only lead to anxiety when I keep replaying them, I don’t share them, I hide away from them and I don’t think about what it is that is really troubling me or causing me to worry. Continue reading “Motherhood and Anxiety”
Tackling Anxiety
Realising I was mentally unwell
Although I wasn’t aware of it, my anxiety had probably been building up for a number of years, but only came to a head when I was in my fourth year of teaching mainstream education. By Christmas, 2013, I had reached my limit. I found it difficult to cope with all the unnecessary additional pressure of teaching. Continue reading “Tackling Anxiety”
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