Try on my first ever @shein_gb order with me! ✨ Try on my first ever @shein_gb order with me! ✨

(Feat lots of P & Indie interruption…) 

Which one is your favourite? 

#highstreethaul #sheinhaul #fashionhaul #fashionreel #breastfeedingfriendlyfashion #mumstyle #highstreetstyle
🐚 🐚
✌🏼 ✌🏼
Let’s talk about the nap trap. 💤 Controvers Let’s talk about the nap trap. 💤 

Controversial opinion incoming…

Firstly, your child won’t die if they don’t have their nap in a dark room, with their white noise machine, Egyptian cotton sheets and sleep spray once in a while. 

Children do need an element of routine, but it’s also important for them to understand how to adapt. And you aren’t a bad mum for taking them out over nap time. 

If I had a £ for the amount of times someone has said “I can’t come at that time because X will be asleep” or “X is still napping so we won’t be able to make it now” and my personal favourite “we have to go to dinner at 4pm because we need to be back to start bedtime” …

I’m not judging, each parent is only ever doing what’s right for their children. We all know that, we’d walk on hot coals for the little buggers. 🔥 

But are we always doing what’s right for us? 

You need to be able to go out, socialise, take a walk, eat a meal, go to the shop without timing your life around your baby every single day. 

If you’re at home then sure, go for the routine, enjoy the dark room and the guaranteed break that time gives you. But don’t be fearful of breaking that routine to enjoy something else on occasion. Especially with the summer holidays coming up, when you may have other children to entertain. 

You might find little one will adapt just fine and maybe even sleep on the go. A baby sling is pretty much a guarantee for most babies! Indie lived in my @freerider.co , bless her! 

And if they don’t, then that’s ok too. It’s a one off!

Allow yourself a little freedom and you might find that you can not only release yourself from the nap trap, but also not miss out on things you want to do! 

This is your permission to put yourself first on occasion. Meet for that coffee, go to that event that’s right across nap time, enjoy a late dinner with friends, just go for it! 

You got this mama! Naps are not prison ❤️
Visiting Krka National Park with toddlers was a ri Visiting Krka National Park with toddlers was a risk, but it paid off. 

We read loads of reviews about whether it’s possible or not with toddlers, but we took the risk and I’m glad we did. 👌🏼

Now don’t get me wrong, we did and saw less than we would have if we didn’t have the girls. But what we did see was stunning. 

My tips with toddlers: 

👉🏼 get a private transfer if you can as they can usually provide car seats. It’s about a 1/1.5 hour drive from Split. 
👉🏼 Buy the boat tickets and get dropped off at the Scradin entrance to hop on the boat. We also got the boat back to here, but if you want to you can also walk back to the other entrance, Lozovac.
👉🏼 You can walk the gravel paths with buggies, it’s not the easiest, but it’s pretty doable.
👉🏼 Take the wooden bridge to see the waterfalls, but unless you have baby carriers or older kids you won’t want to walk up to the higher view point. 
👉🏼 You can’t swim where the bus drops you off, so if you want to swim you need to hop on a bus, and then a boat to a different location. You can paddle and enjoy a small waterfall in this location though. 
👉🏼 Remember to take some coins for the toilet, and lots of water and snacks! There are food and drink places there and benches to have food, but the boat and the queues can be long and it’s gets hot. 

Have you been to Krka National park, what did you think? 

#familytravel #toddlertravel #familytravelineurope #croatiatravel #croatiawithkids #krkanationalpark #krkanationalparkwithkids #europetravel #croatiatravel
Went to town in @homebargains to spruce up this li Went to town in @homebargains to spruce up this little area of the garden. 

Feels like gardens take so much effort and work for so little time in them 😂 anyone else?
These moments remind me why I picked you 🥰 These moments remind me why I picked you 🥰
Come to Croatia with us ✈️ A super easy and Come to Croatia with us ✈️ 

A super easy and quick (2.5 hour) flight with @jet2pics and we stayed at @le_meridien_split in Split and it was gorgeous.

I’d say the hotel isn’t very kiddie, but it was child friendly. There was a kids club (the girls didn’t go, but we saw through the window and it looked jam packed with fun stuff) and all the staff were super into kids. So so friendly. 

However, it did have a very adult vibe. We didn’t mind that and our girls are used to being taken along to more adult environments, but if you are looking for a more family inclusive hotel this one probably isn’t the one I’d go for.

There were no kids meals for example, but I was really impressed with the amount of children related extras you could have added to your room, such as bed guards, stools for the bathroom, nappies etc. 

But the pool was great (deep) and there was a very small splash pool for the girls, which they loved. It was right on the beach and there was a beach club which we went to one day with rentable cabanas and sun loungers. Again pretty adult heavy, but we didn’t mind, we had a lovely day. 

Split itself was great and the small cobbled streets were easy enough to navigate with strollers and little feet. 

We also went to Krka National park (I will do a seperate post for that one) which again was doable with toddlers, but limited. 

All in all a wonderful trip and Joss and I actually felt like we had a holiday too, which can be a challenge when you have to chase toddlers around all day. I will definitely be back to Croatia ☀️

#familytravel #toddlertravel #travelwithtoddlers #travellingwithkids #europetravel #europeantravel #familyholiday #toddlerlife #familyfriendlytravel
We read multiple reviews about whether or not krka We read multiple reviews about whether or not krka national park was suitable for toddlers/buggies, but we decided to take the chance. 

So glad we did! 

Beautiful ☀️
Load More…
  • Spinkdot
  • MAMA
  • Lifestyle
  • About
  • Get In Touch

Spinkdot

Lifestyle. Travel. Weddings.

  • MAMA
  • Lifestyle
  • About
  • Get In Touch

Mama · 18th March 2019

Pepper’s Birth Story

5c435d22-76d8-4939-86f2-46c2ca071f44

Before getting pregnant I had heard plenty of stories from friends and family about birth and the wonderful or not so wonderful arrival of their children. But nothing really prepares you for your own story and how it all plays out.

Our story is more medicalised than some as I was classed as a high-risk pregnancy due to some existing blood pressure concerns. Because of this we had more frequent scans, were under consultant care and were told we would likely be advised to be induced at 39 weeks. Problem with this is that I was dead against having an induction because of all the negative stories I had heard, we even had an appointment to discuss having a c-section - which turns out is much less of an option than you may think. But yes, induction was never something I was willing to consider and told everyone that I was absolutely, under no circumstances, having an induction.

Spoiler alert... I had an induction!

The story really starts at 34 weeks and a routine growth scan and consultant appointment that turned into a concern of preeclampsia and the consultant telling us that we would likely have to have the baby in the next two weeks. Cue a weekend of scouting out shops that sold premature baby grows and a stock up on super small nappies. Everything suddenly seemed very real. From here we had two growth scans a week and found out that my placenta wasn’t working as efficiently as it should. I was booked in for an induction at 36+3 and this also meant that I had to have some steroid injections to help the baby’s lungs fully prepare for life outside of the womb.

They hurt! Bad. But the pain is gone after about 30 seconds and you can go on with your day.

Ahead of the induction I listened to my hypnobirthing mp3’s and remembered everything Kate had told us about being positive and keeping calm. I actually felt pretty prepared. We also stocked up on snacks, movie downloads and box sets as everyone kept telling us that inductions can take days. So we prepared for a long wait.

The night before the induction we went out for a ‘last supper’ and talked about how our life was going to change in just a few short days. It was nice to cherish those last few moments as a couple and the team we had always been before we gained an addition to our squad. We went home and had the obligatory tick box sexy time in an attempt to get things started quicker and I had a secret hope that I would go into spontaneous labour that evening and skip the induction all together...no such luck.

Morning came and I was surprised to find that I had no fear at all, just the thought that today may be the start of a long few days before we got to meet our Daughter. We grabbed our bags and the tote bag full of snacks and piled into the car. It was a weird feeling, almost like when you go on holiday and constantly think you have left something at home. It was odd leaving the house knowing I wouldn’t return without our Daughter.

The staff on Ward 10 were lovely, but under resourced so we didn’t start the process until noon. The first stage of an induction is a pessary that is inserted into the back of the cervix, so a lovely midwife called Debbie came in and started the procedure. Much to my delight, she said I was already about 1cm dilated and so she gave me a stretch and sweep whilst she was there. Basically, it looks and feels like the most aggressive fingering you have ever received! It wasn’t the most enjoyable experience, but we were starting the process and I was happy it was underway.

By 4pm I was feeling some aches and pains and suspected that this was my cervix getting ready rather than the real deal as we were told I may feel some ‘fake’ pains to start with and after all, “inductions take days,” that’s what everyone kept telling us. Turns out that wasn’t quite true in my case.

We wandered the corridors of the hospitals for a while wondering when I would know if these pains were real, they felt pretty real. But the midwives were saying they weren’t until they were lasting a minute or more. So I kept using my hypnobirthing techniques and breathing through the surges. What nobody tells you in advance of labour though is that your bum hurts, a lot, so it wasn’t that easy to get into a comfortable position and the trusty birthing ball was a no go.

At about 8:30pm Joss was getting ready to head home and get some sleep as I figured these fake pains would just continue through the night in the hope that they may turn into something real by tomorrow. It was at this point I suddenly just burst into tears, a few seconds later my waters broke and it was a full on EastEnders waters breaking from here on in. My leggings were soaked and as Joss helped me get them off the waters just kept coming, along with intense contractions every 2 minutes or so. I was definitely in labour, those pains I had been feeling weren’t fake after all and the ones I felt after that certainly weren’t.

With every contraction I lost more water and considering I had a relatively small bump I couldn’t quite believe how much was in there. The midwife came and checked me over and said that the labour ward suggests I see how I get on for an hour breathing through them and did I want some paracetamol?. Paracetamol? I was hanging off Joss’ neck at this point groaning and breathing as hard as I possibly could. But sure, give me some paracetamol I am sure that will take the edge off…

The next couple of hours seemed to flash by as my contractions got more intense and suddenly I felt the urge to push. The midwives couldn’t quite believe it was all happening so quickly I don’t think and so I still wasn’t on the labour ward. At this point though it was clear I needed to leave the poor women trying to sleep in Ward 9 and get myself accustomed with a labour room. I just remember calling out in between a contraction saying “Sorry ladies, I know you are trying to sleep” to which a lovely lady next to me replied “Don’t be silly love you are having a baby. You are doing amazingly!”

In those moments waiting for a wheelchair was when I really feel that everything I had learnt during my hypnobirthing course came into play. We didn’t have time to play calming mp3’s, set up candles, diffusers or dim the lights, but I had time to remember two really poignant affirmations. “This isn’t happening to me, it is me” and “Every surge brings me closer to my baby” I just kept saying these to myself in my head and it gave me the power to ride the surges, as I still had no pain relief, and really try and stay in control. I felt powerful.

It was only when the wheelchair arrived and I saw the look on the midwife’s face, combined with the immense pressure that I was feeling between my legs that I started to feel a tad scared. I wasn’t scared of giving birth, I was just scared that I wasn’t going to be able to do it without an epidural - you know, that pain relief from the Gods that everyone raves about.

Turns out I didn’t need that epidural.

As they wheeled me into the labour ward and got me up on the bed, I had a weird feeling that I needed to strip off. I remember reading about this in someone else’s birth story and thinking at the time, this is weird, but I don’t care, just get these clothes off me. I think you go back to your primal instincts and in a weird way just wanting to be as natural as you can.

Then it was time to push.

I was finally handed some gas and air and the next five mins were by far the easiest of the whole experience and definitely the most empowering. I felt like the cloud of pain was lifted with every inhale of gas and air and all that was left to do was meet my baby. I held Joss’ hand, nuzzled my face into his chest and just pushed as hard and as long as I could. And then, at 11:16pm, just five pushes later and less than three hours after my waters had broken, she was here.

Her tiny little body was placed on my chest and in that moment our lives changed forever. I didn’t feel an overwhelming sense of love as some people talk about, I loved her of course I did, but the intense love came later. For now I just felt pride. I was proud of myself, proud of Joss for being the most incredible support and proud of our Daughter for getting herself so safely into my arms.

My dreaded induction had turned into the most positive, wonderful labour. And the whole experience was even closer to my dream birth story than I could have ever imagined.

Who’d have thought it aye?

a60a36f1-c2f7-4ada-b36c-ae5563153c2f
af634562-0d58-4d1d-b8b7-8a38dd2859cf
0a22e1f6-5485-4073-a5f9-96c80bf5fc49

In: Mama · Tagged: baby, baby girl, birth, hypnobirthing, induction, labour, mama spinkdot, pregnancy, pregnancy journey, pregnant

You’ll Also Love

A letter to our one year old
Debunking some Hypnobirthing myths
Indie’s birth story

Comments

  1. Victoria says

    19th March 2019 at 8:07 am

    This is so lovely 💖 congratulations, she’s gorgeous! And well done ☺️ Xx

    Reply
  2. Emma says

    19th March 2019 at 5:07 pm

    So beautiful to read your positive birth story. I’m 33 weeks and this made me feel proud of women and of our bodies that are so amazing. Well done ! She’s beautiful x

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Next Post >

What’s in my hospital bag?

Mama and Wifey writing honest content about motherhood. Have a look around, make yourself at home.

Recent Posts

  • A letter to our one year old
  • Debunking some Hypnobirthing myths
  • Indie’s birth story

Categories

  • Lifestyle
  • Mama
  • Travel
  • Weddings

Instagram

A lovely weekend spent with family & friends. A ve A lovely weekend spent with family & friends. A very full and happy heart today ❤️
Happy Saturday guys 🌸 Happy Saturday guys 🌸
Happy Friday everyone! 💐 This beautiful little Happy Friday everyone! 💐

This beautiful little piece of art was created for me by my lovely friend @hollywetherall when she asked me to be her bridesmaid 3 years ago. She said she drew me arrows because if I want something I just go and get it. 

So here is your daily reminder to go out and get it! No better time than right now ❤️
Looks like we have another Daddy’s girl 💕 Th Looks like we have another Daddy’s girl 💕

This one is so alert and so chatty already. It’s hard not to compare, but you can’t help it. I’ve really started to realise how having a prem and tiny baby affects the way they develop and grow in the early months. Pepper was born at 36 weeks, Indie at 37 and they are so different in so many ways. P was always behind a lot of her peers in size and development for a long time, and having Indie had made that even more apparent, but look at her now. Flying! 

Each child is so different, just like us. As long as they get love, care and plenty of attention they will all flourish in their own time ❤️

#mumblogger #mumlife #motherhood #parenting #siblings #dadlife #daddyanddaughter
Happy 4th Birthday Spinkdot 🎉 The blog has ev Happy 4th Birthday Spinkdot 🎉 

The blog has evolved a lot over the four years as I found my own little space on the internet. It’s allowed me to have a hobby that I love, continue my passion for writing, build confidence, meet wonderful people and even help some lovely women along the way. 

It’s been an outlet when I needed it the most and a little place I’ve found solidarity on some of the hardest days. I have so much more planned for this little space and I wanted to thank you all for being on this fun journey with me ❤️

#mumblogger #miltonkeynesblogger #mkmums #mumlife #motherhood #parenting AD baby sling kindly gifted by @freerider.co
Pepper is always copying what we do because that’s how she learns, but this was one that brought a tear to my eye 💕 

I wear Indie in my @freerider.co sling every day, so P is so used to seeing that as normal parenting. Today she asked me if she could wear her baby in the sling too and she was such a natural. 

#babywearing #mumlife #toddlerlife #motherhood #parenting AD Freerider sling kindly gifted
My babies are always my favourite accessory 💕 My babies are always my favourite accessory 💕 

#mumlife #motherhood #mumstyle #babywearing
Loving our @byhannahwalker matching hairbands 💁 Loving our @byhannahwalker matching hairbands 💁🏻‍♀️ #mummyandmini
Load More…

Reader Favorites

  • Indie’s birth story
  • An open letter to a new Mum
  • An honest review: the first trimester

trending now

  • Indie’s birth story
  • An open letter to a new Mum
  • An honest review: the first trimester
  • The perfect fit

instagram

Follow @spinkdot

A lovely weekend spent with family & friends. A ve A lovely weekend spent with family & friends. A very full and happy heart today ❤️
Happy Saturday guys 🌸 Happy Saturday guys 🌸
Happy Friday everyone! 💐 This beautiful little Happy Friday everyone! 💐

This beautiful little piece of art was created for me by my lovely friend @hollywetherall when she asked me to be her bridesmaid 3 years ago. She said she drew me arrows because if I want something I just go and get it. 

So here is your daily reminder to go out and get it! No better time than right now ❤️
Looks like we have another Daddy’s girl 💕 Th Looks like we have another Daddy’s girl 💕

This one is so alert and so chatty already. It’s hard not to compare, but you can’t help it. I’ve really started to realise how having a prem and tiny baby affects the way they develop and grow in the early months. Pepper was born at 36 weeks, Indie at 37 and they are so different in so many ways. P was always behind a lot of her peers in size and development for a long time, and having Indie had made that even more apparent, but look at her now. Flying! 

Each child is so different, just like us. As long as they get love, care and plenty of attention they will all flourish in their own time ❤️

#mumblogger #mumlife #motherhood #parenting #siblings #dadlife #daddyanddaughter
Happy 4th Birthday Spinkdot 🎉 The blog has ev Happy 4th Birthday Spinkdot 🎉 

The blog has evolved a lot over the four years as I found my own little space on the internet. It’s allowed me to have a hobby that I love, continue my passion for writing, build confidence, meet wonderful people and even help some lovely women along the way. 

It’s been an outlet when I needed it the most and a little place I’ve found solidarity on some of the hardest days. I have so much more planned for this little space and I wanted to thank you all for being on this fun journey with me ❤️

#mumblogger #miltonkeynesblogger #mkmums #mumlife #motherhood #parenting AD baby sling kindly gifted by @freerider.co
Pepper is always copying what we do because that’s how she learns, but this was one that brought a tear to my eye 💕 

I wear Indie in my @freerider.co sling every day, so P is so used to seeing that as normal parenting. Today she asked me if she could wear her baby in the sling too and she was such a natural. 

#babywearing #mumlife #toddlerlife #motherhood #parenting AD Freerider sling kindly gifted
My babies are always my favourite accessory 💕 My babies are always my favourite accessory 💕 

#mumlife #motherhood #mumstyle #babywearing
Loving our @byhannahwalker matching hairbands 💁 Loving our @byhannahwalker matching hairbands 💁🏻‍♀️ #mummyandmini
Load More…

ABOUT SPINKDOT

Plenty of content about navigating life. From breastfeeding to city guides, Spinkdot is full of content and stories that inspire and help others live their best life.

Quick Links

  • MAMA
  • Lifestyle
  • About
  • Get In Touch

Copyright © 2022 Spinkdot · Theme by 17th Avenue