Being a first-time mum is one of the most exciting times in your life.  It can be pretty terrifying as well, but joy and happiness definitely outweigh the fear.

As a newborn photographer, I meet lots of first-time mums in my studio in Medway, Kent.  My newborn sessions are completely bespoke so parents and their newborns do spend a couple of hours with me.  Find out more about my newborn photography by clicking here . Over the course of their newborn session, I have lots of opportunities to chat to those new mums and over the years I’ve picked up loads of advice that I think is great to share.  So if you are a new mum in Medway, or your baby is due very soon, I hope you find the following information useful.

 

Labour & Delivery

When I talk to new mums, this is definitely the part they feared the most.  It seems that when you are pregnant, other women like nothing more than telling you all of their birth horror stories.  Gladly, the vast majority of the new mums I meet have had much nicer experiences giving birth. It’s definitely nerve-racking to think you have to go through labour and delivery but the end prize is more than worth it!

Understanding the process and giving birth somewhere familiar can all help and luckily we have some fabulous local resources for this (when restrictions allow).

Take a look at https://hypnobambinos.co.uk/ for local classes that can help you with some natural pain relief

You will also find our local NCT branch really helpful in planning for labour and delivery https://www.nct.org.uk/local-activities-meet-ups/region-south-east-england/branch-medway/antenatal-courses-info-for-medway-branch

A few clients have mentioned this local support group too Daisy Foundation.

Make sure you speak to your midwife about preparing your birth plan too.  Be prepared to veer off track and consider your options in case you don’t get the birth you are hoping for.  Your midwife will be able to help you with this.

Nesting

Nesting is a natural state that affects most women in the last few weeks of pregnancy.  It’s basically the strong urge women get to want to prepare their home for the arrival of their baby.  Nesting can include meal prepping to within an inch of your life as well as cleaning the house from top to bottom and making sure the nursery has every finishing touch you need.  Lots of my new mums tell me they get a renewed energy in the last couple of weeks of pregnancy which helps with nesting – but obviously don’t overdo it and avoid any physical exertion at this stage!

Batch cooking and meal prepping is a really useful way to spend your last couple of weeks of pregnancy.  Having healthy meals ready to pull out of the freezer at a moments notice will be a godsend for you in the first few weeks with your newborn.  Have a look at www.thebatchlady.com for some great recipes you can batch and freeze.

Health Visitors

When your baby is born and you’re discharged from the hospital, your community midwife will be in charge of your care.  You’ll get home visits to make sure you and your baby are doing well.

Your midwife will also do your baby’s heel prick test at 5 days old.  https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/newborn-blood-spot-test/

Once your midwife is happy you and your baby are doing well, you’ll be discharged into the care of our local health visiting team.  You’ll be assigned a health visitor who can assist you with everything from signposting you to classes and activities, to advising you on health issues.  You can find out more about our health visitors here https://www.medwaycommunityhealthcare.nhs.uk/our-services/a-z-services/school-nursing

Those first few weeks really do rush by in a blur of visitors and health checks so remember to take some time for you during all of the hustle and bustle.  Many new mums tell me the first outing they have made with their baby is to my studio – and they love that they can sit and relax for a couple of hours watching me create beautiful portraits for them.  If you’d like to see some of my gorgeous newborn clients, have a look at the gallery here – Newborn Gallery

 

Newborn boy photoshoot in Strood Kent. Baby boy with stars and bunny teddy