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Jessica Nash (Mother and Doula) shares the story of her second child’s birth with Mums Baby Magazine.
Since having her second child, Jessica Nash (from Mid-North Coast NSW, Australia) has become determined to help other ladies experience a pleasant and rewarding labour and birth. Jessica has since spent time studying and is now a qualified birth and postnatal doula, Jessica kindly shared the story of the birth of her second child (Jack) and explains how a doula can be of assistance during labour and birth.
My second pregnancy was completely different to my first, right from the very beginning. My first pregnancy was all smooth sailing, with none of the pregnancy complications many women suffer from, so I assumed all my future pregnancies would be the same…How wrong I was! As soon as I discovered I was pregnant, the morning sickness kicked in with a vengeance. Then a few weeks into the pregnancy, our niece was stillborn, so we felt too ‘guilty’ to share our wonderful news with anyone.
We had the Nuchal Translucency test done at twelve weeks (to rate the possibility of downs syndrome), and to our horror, the results showed our baby was in the high risk category. We were completely devastated to even consider something might be wrong with our baby, and it was even more of a shock seeing as though my husband and I were both only 23 years of age. We then had an amniocentesis carried out, and after two very long weeks, we discovered our baby was going to be ok. We were then able to share our news with everyone, and enjoy the rest of the pregnancy.
I had a horrible labour with our first son (as a result of being induced and suffering a severe reaction to the prostaglandin gel), so to overcome my fears this time, I studied a Birth Skills course, which focused on using self-hypnosis and relaxation techniques in order to encourage a calm and comfortable birthing experience. After much study, I was much more confident of my body’s ability to birth my baby, and I felt I had more control over the situation.
Four days after my ‘due date’, I started getting regular surges (contractions) from around 10am almost every ten minutes. The contractions seemed to continue all day, until I decided at 7pm that night we had better make the hour long trip to the hospital. My contractions progressed to five minutes apart throughout the night, but by morning they were back to being ten minutes apart. At this stage the Doctor asked if I wished to have my waters broken, and I reluctantly agreed to get things moving again.
By 1:30pm my contractions were coming every almost every three minutes, at this point the Doctor insisted I have the syntocin drip to speed the process up. I felt pressured into agreeing – I was threatened with being kicked out of the hospital if I said no. This was worrying to me as we lived so far from the hospital, and I really wanted a water birth…something just felt right about the idea of giving birth in the water.
As soon as the drip started, my contractions returned and seemed to come hard and fast. I started to get overwhelmed, which was frustrating because up until now I’d had no pain at all, and was managing each contraction with breathing and movement techniques. I decided it was time to get in the birthing pool. The warm water was relaxing, but the drip was still making my contractions come too fast, and half an hour later I was feeling the urge to push. I got into a squatting position, but the midwife barked at me to ‘lie down or I’ll pull the plug and you’ll have this baby on the bed’. I protested and cried and begged, but it all fell on deaf ears. I felt I would tear if I lay down like she was instructing. However, I was so desperate to avoid laying down on the bed, in hindsight I realise I wanted it so badly because being in the bed again would bring back memories of my first birth. After fifteen minutes of pushing, and with my wonderful husband embracing me in the bath, our beautiful second son, Jack Ethan, made his grand entrance on September 13, 2006.
Jack’s birth was a much more comfortable, positive experience than that of my first birthing, and I’m proud to say that I was able to give my son the gift of a drug-free welcome. However, I held a lot of resentment towards the staff whom I felt ‘bullied’ me into choices I made. When I think back, I start regretting some of the choices I made. I wished I’d had someone there who didn’t have a personal interest to ‘stand up’ for me. I talked with my sister in law at length about this, and she asked me to come in with her when she had her third baby, as she agreed a third person there would be helpful and supportive. We then discovered that was a ‘job’ of sorts, a doula, and so my doula career began. I studied with the Australian Doula College, and have recently become qualified, and am about to attend my fourth birth as a doula. I absolutely love what I do, and thanks to my own birth experiences I have a great understanding of what a birthing woman and her partner may need as support.
Mums Baby Magazine would like to thank Jessica for her time, if you wish to gain further information upon Jessica’s role as a doula then please visit www.jessicanash.com.au
MaByLand’s Mumpreneur Sheena Wood shares the highs and lows of mixing babies and business.
Successful Mumpreneur, Sheena Woods is Mum to two children (Siobhan and Brannon) and Director of MaByLand. Sheena shares her story of the highs and lows which led to her successful business ‘MaByland’ with Mums Baby Magazine.
Big Decisions
I was only twenty six years old when I became the youngest and only woman to sit on the Board of Directors as a Performance Executive. It took four years of dedication and hard graft to get there, and I could no longer set my sights any higher, I’d reached the top. My ambitious nature had led me to a cross roads.
Should I jump ship and look for a new role? Perhaps this my chance, the right time to chase my childhood dream of running my own business, I went with my gut feeling…
After ten years my childhood sweetheart finally proposed to me, and visions of my big day swamped my mind. Although I’m Chinese, I have lived, studied and worked in the UK my entire adult life, which left me with a catch?22. I wanted the romantic English white wedding in my finance’s village, but I also wanted to follow tradition and have a Chinese Wedding. I had to make a decision, and as my friends back home weren’t able to make it to my white wedding, my mind was made up, I’d have both!
With marriage thrown into the mix, my attention turned towards our future, and family. Although I am very ‘career driven’, I also believe that no matter how successful I became, it would all amount to nothing if I didn’t have a family to share it with. My mind became overwhelmed with broody thoughts and my entrepreneurial dream; it soon led me to have a ‘light?bulb’ moment! I could combine both my dream of running my own business, and starting a family ? the outcome was ’MaByLand’, my very own baby brand was born.
Everything seemed to be happening all at once, and I had an unbelievable amount to organise and plan.I’d return home from a long day at work in the city, sit back down, and continue my research into the baby industry. I’d work late into the night designing, and on top of all of this I was planning two weddings! Every moment I had, I squeezed the most out of, trying to complete as many tasks as possible. If I wasn’t ringing the florist or tracking down a photographer for the wedding then I was talking to manufacturers, or deciding on fabrics for my new up and coming business. I spent my weekends driving to and from London and Leicestershire planning my church wedding and I used my holiday leave to travel to Hong Kong to meet my manufacturers for ‘MabyLand’ and organise my Chinese wedding too!
My New Life
I got married in December 2007, twice! My weddings were only one week apart, including my honeymoon, the celebrations lasted a month! I returned to work on a high, I handed in my notice which was my first real step towards my dream…My 
husband works as a Doctor, and explained how it can take between six months to a year to fall pregnant, so we starting trying immediately.
On the morning after my leaving party I discovered the good news. We couldn’t believe it! We were going to be parents and we couldn’t be happier. But this left me worried if I had made the right decision to leave my job, but I couldn’t lose my nerve now. Now I had a baby on the way I needed to get the business up and running, so with the help of my husband, the website www.MaByland.com went live ahead of time in late August 2008.
Slowly but surely started receiving regular orders. My first baby girl, Siobhan was born on December 1st 2008. Immediately, this impacted my business as my little girl became my everything, I was a first time Mum and had so much to learn. I’d spend my days doting on her, striving to be the best Mum possible. I breastfed her, so I felt I couldn’t actively arrange business meetings or visit retailers with a baby on my hip, thus I waited until she was ready to start weaning.
Second Time Around
Whilst on my first venture out of the house without my daughter during the summer of 2009, I made my first sale to a local retailer, which reminded me that I was sitting on great products, and I was ready to get down to business. I began running a ‘Mummy Focus Group’ to discuss ideas for my new product range. After a few months everything fell back into place, it was then that I fell pregnant with my second child (during September 2009)
Before I was pregnant I had pre?booked to exhibit at a selection of the largest Baby Shows in the UK! So at five months pregnant I exhibited, our tiny stand was swamped with custom, I didn’t even have time for a toilet break! I had to continuously waddle to and from the storage area to stock up the stall. Although these shows took a lot out of me, they gave me a buzz, and this reassured me that I had designed things that other parents love too! The exhibits also helped me to work through my shy nature and gain a little confidence in myself. Due to this I was able to attend the UK’s largest trade show on my own. However, I was unable to take part in after show social events as I was six months pregnant at this point!
I didn’t want the business to fall behind again, so I decided to hire someone to help, and found myself an office on a quaint little street in Wimbledon half an hours walk from my home. I kept Siobhan away from the office by taking her to playgroups whilst the renovation work was going on, I had so much on my plate at the time that I didn’t realise until two days later that I had been having contractions! My baby boy Brannon was born in June 2010.
Melt Down
It was a big part of my dream to have both of my little ones with me in the office; I wanted the freedom and flexibility that most working parents don’t have. My child had their own little play area setup, so that I wouldn’t miss a moment of watching them growing up. However, I soon realised that this was a farfetched fantasy.
Running a business, controlling a toddler and looking after a new-born baby became too much for me, and the most difficult six months of my life followed. My two little ones set each other off crying, they both seemed to want my undivided attention, which I was simply unable to give given the circumstances. It was difficult for Siobhan to adjust to the new office environment, she became protective of her space, and she’d wail if a customer came in to browse the products and touched ‘her’ things! My son wasn’t sleeping through the night, the initial first few months I had expected this, but I never imagined his sleepless nights to continue on for six long months.
Brannon was only three months old when we journeyed together on our first business trip abroad to Germany, where we were exhibiting at the largest European Baby Trade Show. It was a surreal experience; I’d breastfeed behind a poster and during business meetings. We worked long days and late nights which took its toll on both my son and I. I was still running on very little sleep, as Brannon’s feeding and sleeping pattern was no different from a new-born baby’s. I worked into the early morning hours, getting only a couple hours of sleep. I ran my business during the day, and took care of my babies in the office.
It was at this point that I began to suffer severely from stress related illnesses such as painful ulcers, terrible mood swings, and I longed for my own mother who was thousands of miles away in Hong Kong – all of which built up and caused me to break down, leaving me feeling like a terrible mother.
New Beginnings
I soon had a break from work, and travelled to Hong Kong to show off my little family to all my friends and relatives. After receiving so many compliments about my little ones, and how great I was coping, I soon regained my confidence, and put together a plan as things had to change.
On New Year’s Day 2011 I decided to try ‘controlled crying’ (a method used by many parents to reduce the time taken to get little ones to sleep) as I hadn’t had an uninterrupted night’s sleep for over six months and I was utterly exhausted. I was apprehensive of using controlled crying as a method and it was difficult, but it miraculously worked, and within three days my son was sleeping through the night.
I decided that two year old Siobhan was now old enough to go to nursery; she was like a little sponge that soaked up anything new. Siobhan now loves nursery, she enjoys making new friends and learning new songs! As for Brannon, I still take him to the office with me; he loves crawling around and creating mess! I am now able to focus my attention on my third baby, ‘MaByLand’. It is finally beginning to take off, and I am more than excited about what the future holds.
Looking to the Future
I believe all parents build thick skins, they will have already achieved things they thought were never possible! I wish to encourage Mums and Dads alike to follow their hearts, and go with their gut instincts; there will be highs and there will be lows, but it will all be worth it when they look back with no regrets.
Mums Baby Magazine would like thank Sheena for her time and would like to wish Sheena and her family all the best for the future.
Kate Lyons (currently 24 weeks and 6 days pregnant), producer of the Vanessa Feltz Radio Show updates us on her pregnancy progress.
Kate Lyons, 29 from Highgate, North London is now twenty four weeks and six days pregnant (not that she’s counting!) with her first child, due to be born in late July this year. Kate is the producer for Vanessa Feltz’s Radio Show which is on during midmorning on BBC London 94.9 FM.
Week 24+6
Have you had any midwife appointments/ scans since we last spoke?
I’ve had all my scans now but I have another appointment next week with the midwife. Its on my Mum’s Birthday so she’s coming along with us to hear the baby’s heartbeat. Hopefully it’ll be a nice birthday present for her!
Have you joined any aqua natal/ prenatal classes?
I’ve not joined aqua natal but I have started pregnancy yoga. Its nice to meet other Mums-to-be and learn lots of different breathing techniques. I’m also about to book an NCT course for myself and my husband Joe. They help build a network of support with other local Mums and Dads and come highly recommended by lots of friends.
What are your plans for Easter?
This Easter we’re hoping both the families will come to our house for lunch (Joe is cooking!) I think they’ll be about ten of us altogether, so it’ll be pretty busy!
Have you done any more baby shopping?
We recently bought a new white Moses Basket, It’s so adorable, I can’t stop looking at it.
How is the nursery coming along now?
We’re slowly buying bits and bobs for the nursery. We still need to get the curtains, cot and a few little accessories. We’re keeping it quite simple and everything is either white or cream.
How does it feel knowing that it really isn’t long until being a parent?
It’s pretty scary! It still feels like a long time to go but I’m sure July will come round so quickly. I’ve always wanted to be a Mum though and I can’t wait to meet baby Lyons!
How many books have you read upon babies, birth and so on?
When we first found out I was pregnant Joe bought me ‘Conception, Pregnancy and Birth’ by Dr Miriam Stoppard. It’s really helpful, this particular book gives you a month-by-month development guide and lots of great advice. I’ve also been reading Baby London magazine which has lots of good ideas for decorating the nursery and where to buy cute clothes. I could end up spending a small fortune.
You can now follow your pregnancy week by week by clicking on the ‘Pregnancy Tab’ at www.mumsbabymagazine!
How is your wardrobe looking? It’s getting hotter weather and with a bump you no doubt have had to alter your maternity clothes.
I bought a lovely maternity top from Topshop the other day but that’s all. It really is time to buy some new maternity jeans now though as I don’t think I can squeeze into my normal jeans for much longer! They look like leggings on me and are held together with a hair band.
Do you have a holiday planned before the baby arrives?
We’ve actually just come back from Gran Canaria. We thought we’d have one last week away on our own. We didn’t do much but sleep, eat and sunbathe.
How are you feeling in yourself?
I’m feeling really well still except I’m suffering with backache now which seems to be getting worse each week. I know at the Whittington Hospital they offer free acupuncture to pregnant women so hopefully my midwife will refer me when I visit next week.
How are the babies movements now? Are you managing to sleep at night?
The baby moves all the time. The punches and kicks get stronger and stronger each day. It really is the most fantastic feeling. Sometimes I can make out where the head and feet are. I’ve just started to have sleepless nights. It takes so long to get comfortable then as soon as I’m about to drop off I get kicked in the ribs. It’s all good preparation for when the baby arrives though I guess!
Any cravings yet?
No specific cravings but Joe asked me the other day what I’d like as my first dinner once the baby has arrived. It would have to be some brie cheese with cured ham, Two things I’ve really missed!
Have you started using a body butter/ oil for stretch marks?
Yes! I started in week one! I’ve already gone through two bottles of cream and one big bottle of oil.
Do you have any stretch marks yet?
None yet but I think now is the time they start to show. I’m sure in another few weeks it’ll be a different story.
Have you looked at purchasing the pram yet?
We’ve looked at the Bugaboo, Quinny and icandy. They all meets our needs in different ways so it’s quite hard to choose. I never thought buying a pram could be so difficult!
Crib/ Moses basket which one will you opt for?
We’ve already got the beautiful Moses basket.
Have you got a nappy plan? (cloth/ disposable)
Definitely disposable!
How many baby related apps do you now own on your phone?
None yet but I’m sure I’ll have a few by the time baby comes along. Lots of my other mummy friends use theirs all the time.
We will catching up with Kate shortly and keeping you updated with the latest on her pregnancy journey
Third time lucky, Tristen Hindle shares her birth story with us.
After having no period for numerous weeks and a history of ovarian cysts I booked in for an ultrasound despondent about the possibility of having to have more treatment. I headed in, one week later, expecting to hear about the discovery of more cysts and treatment options only to come out with the news that I was six weeks pregnant!
I had two miscarriages the previous year so even though I was elated, I was nervous when I told my boyfriend, David that we were expecting. We were excited, and hopeful, but after a few tears and hugs reality set in. We lived in a shared house and I had just lost my job. However, we talked it through and decided that maybe this was our miracle baby and, with a bit of luck, that we were on our way to becoming a family.
Just after I turned fifteen weeks pregnant we were asked to leave the shared house. We had nowhere to go so my angel of a sister-in-law, Peta took David and I in. Even with all the demands and duties that came from her own family of herself and two girls, she gave me unlimited support and advice and the best cooking a pregnant woman could ask for.
At twenty weeks pregnant we found out that we were having a girl. We had a 3D scan and we could see exactly what our baby looked like. She was amazing, she had David’s chin and cheeks and my lips.
Finally the big day arrived. I woke in the early hours of the morning with contractions. They were a long way apart so I quietly went into the lounge room and watched television. A few hours later David and I went to the hospital and I was hooked up to a monitor. Nothing much was happening. A few hours later I hadn’t progressed at all and my waters were still intact. The midwife explained that my waters had to be broken to speed things along. He broke them, only to find they were stained with meconium. Meconium is a baby’s first poo. Typically, a baby will have their first bowel movement after they are born, however, occasionally it happens prior to birth. My baby was now at risk of meconium aspiration. She could inhale a mixture of meconium and amniotic fluid that could partially, or completely, block her little airways.
From that moment on I was watched like a hawk. A fetal monitor was placed upon my baby’s head so that they could watch the baby closely, too. My contractions continued late into the night and by that time the pain was unbearable. I begged for a caesarean but the medical staff said it wasn’t an option. It was too dangerous because of my size. A few hours later a doctor came in and said my baby’s heartbeat was accelerated and she was becoming distressed. The baby needed to come out immediately so I was rushed into theatre for an emergency caesarean. After being by my side all day poor David was exhausted. I had to have a general anaesthetic so David couldn’t come into the theatre with me, we were devastated.
I woke up in the recovery room with nurses telling me that I had a beautiful, healthy girl. Our little girl weighed 3.9kg’s and was 53 centimetres long and had an impressive mop of dark hair. David came in and showed me pictures of our baby who was under observation in the special care nursery. A few hours later I finally got to hold her for the first time. It felt amazing. We named her Abigail Janette. Our angel, our princess, our everything!
Abigail is now fourteen months old, and is sure giving us a taste of parenthood with its ups and downs. I can still remember all the pain and everything I went through. But, all told, she was worth it all and always will be.
Bringing British Back, Jenny Gore speaks to MBM about Jambaroo, a unique outlet online.
Thanks to the internet, finding original clothing for our little ones needn’t be difficult. Mums Baby Magazine speaks to Jenny Gore about how she setup ‘Jambaroo’, a British Children’s Clothing website.
Jambaroo started out as a desire to source better quality and unique clothes for my three nieces. I got sick of the high street, everything was made in China and every second child wore the same. I started to look online at what else was available and found that there were lots and lots of small suppliers but that many didn’t have the time or skills to produce a viable website. Others sold through other "craft" sites such as Etsy or Folsky but still the options available seemed limited.. I must be one of the only people to work backwards through Google!
My day job is an IT projects manager so i have a broad understanding of IT and web development. I wanted a project in which i could get hands on, thus Jambaroo was born! The entire project is run from a laptops in my city centre flat in Leeds.
A lot of suppliers are shocked to learn that it isn’t a money making venture for me, it was simply about improving my skill levels in IT and bringing something unique to the market for other parents. I decided to keep it British as I couldn’t find anything which required importing which we couldn’t do as well here in the UK. I also discovered quite quickly how difficult it can be for small cottage industries to thrive.
We have all felt the impact of the ‘spiralling economy’ over the past few years.I am all too aware of the cost that British made products can often drive us back to purchasing from mass produced sweatshop products. However, when it comes to buying for a loved one, or items for special occasions then there really is no substitute for original, quality items which is exactly what Jambaroo is about.
Mums Baby Magazine would like to Thank Jenny for her time and wish her luck in her business venture!
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