I had planned to have a home birth because I felt that home was where I would feel safest and more in control of the birth. I had hired a TENS machine and a pool, and had attended antenatal yoga and practised hypnobirthing meditations in preparation as I knew I wouldn't have stronger pain relief options unless I went into hospital. 

The Kids are having tantrums. The Grown Ups are having tantrums. WTF is going on!?

What. A. Week.

Five full days in the friendly home of an absolute wonder of a woman (and her doggy).

Pregnancy yoga training. It’s good to have, right? Keep your pregnant yogis safe. I’ll be honest, since I trained as a yoga teacher…

After having a very difficult time getting over the pretty traumatic birth of our 2 and a half year old son James, I was not really in the best state of mind for birth at the start of this pregnancy…

Millie Maisie Davies was born on Wednesday 17th October weighing 8lbs. I decided to go ahead with the stretch and sweep on Tuesday 16th, and it kick-started things within a couple of hours - back ache only at first, with the mild contractions starting by 4pm.

I started having contractions on the Monday evening. The breathing techniques that we practiced in Clair's class were invaluable to help me through the contractions! I also tried doing the all fours circles and figure of eight which were really beneficial at this stage!

I attended Clare's yoga classes during both of my pregnancies. I always found the sessions to be relaxing and a perfect opportunity to just focus on me and my baby. Clare was always empathetic and supportive to all the mums in her class, and would tailor the class to suit specific requests or ailments.

I haven't been to class for a couple of weeks so you may have guessed, our little one made an unexpected and early appearance. I wanted to tell you the story of how it all happened because you played such a huge part in my pregnancy and getting me into the head space that allowed me to cope with what came next.

Just wanted to let you know that I have had my baby. I was booked in for induction on Sunday but it got cancelled. I was disappointed but figured if he came on his own, it would be better anyway.

I just wanted to let you know we completed our crew with a little boy!
He was born on the 6th August - 9 days late and the night before I was due to be induced. My waters went in the afternoon in the middle of wish park - all very exciting - and we headed to hospital about 7pm.

My baby boy (my first baby) arrived bang on due date, Feb. 23rd 2015 (3,4kg, 50cm). I spent all time during labour on all fours which surprised me, as during our classes I always thought it's very hard to do and wondered, will I ever manage to do that for hours!? But it really helped and so did the breathing.

Daisy Beatrix Amber Sutton was born on 23/02/2016 at 8.28am in birthing pool at Brighton hospital, weighing 8lbs1oz. The pool and midwives were lovely! Marc was great, supplying me with countless cups of water (and tissues, yes I had a rotten cold!). Using gas & air and doing yoga breathing/oo-ing is thirsty work!

I'm not even sure if I like the flavours in a vindaloo, or I like the challenge more? Either way my reasoning for having one felt purely to tick some boxes. Have lots of sex they say, have a hot curry, eat 56 pineapples in 30 seconds etc. Does any of that work? Who knows.

I was one of your yoga mamas throughout the latter part of 2014...I wanted to write and let you know we had a beautiful baby boy over the Christmas period (27/12)… Wilfie Robert. He's a beaut!!

Alexandra Sophia Jones was born at 6:24am on Sunday 31 July, weighing 4.08kg (8lb 15½oz). 10 days overdue! I still didn’t manage to get my water birth! I woke up at 4am feeling a bit uncomfortable then had a contraction.

We had planned to have our baby as naturally as possible using water and active birthing principles. However, when he was still breech at 37 weeks, I was booked in for an ECV to try to turn him. Clair helped by discussing this in class as well as other options. The breathing techniques learned at LushTums came in use

Back in November 2016 when my son was 9 months old I travelled to Budapest with him,  alone… I know, crazy, right? To make it easier I arranged for my husband to drive us to the airport, saving the hassle of taxis or trains…

Can toddlers sense pregnancy hormones? If mine can, he’s pretty darn pissed about it. This is my irrational “mumsnet” thought of the day as I collapse in a nauseous, exhausted, emotional heap after a fairly horrific few hours of parenting.

With my first pregnancy I avoided alcohol, blue cheese and unpasteurised cheese, pâté, cured meat, runny eggs, rare steak and caffeine — all the really good stuff. Oh and ibuprofen, which I think also counts as the good stuff now I’m in my thirties and don’t get out as much as I used to.

Ok, I’ve done it. I know I shouldn’t say it but I have. I’ve been thinking about it for a couple of weeks now, and I just couldn’t wait any longer. It feels wrong but now I’ve done it, it feels so right. Don’t judge me but… I’ve bought some bloody maternity jeans.