Clemmie Hooper - How to Grow a Baby and Push It Out

Having been a midwife for over ten years and given birth to four of my own children (sometimes I still cant believe I have four children), I would like to think that I have now gained enough experience and knowledge to write a whole book on being pregnant and giving birth.

In truth, this book wont tell you absolutely everything you need to know because youd need more than an entire pregnancy to read that. But it will tell you about the important stuff, the stuff which some people skim over, and it will also tell you about things that you may be too embarrassed to ask your midwife (although you should know that you can ask your midwife anything rest assured, they will have heard it before). This book is written by me, your midwife, and each chapter is based around the key stages and routine antenatal appointments you will be offered. I will address how to cope in those early days before anyone else knows, what to expect when going for your 12-week scan, coping with the emotional changes you may experience during those nine months, and what you really need to pack in your hospital bag for when the big day arrives.

Ive helped hundreds of women through their individual journeys into motherhood, whether its their first time or theyve done it several times before. Ive seen it all from home births (planned and unplanned), water births, births in the back of a taxi, inductions and C-sections. Ive delivered sets of twins (including my own) and seen triplets being born, and sadly helped deliver babies too premature to survive. Yet each birth, no matter how that baby is born, still fills me with the same feelings of emotion and amazement and what an honour it is, as a midwife, to be part of every single one of those life-changing moments.

I wrote this book so you can feel empowered. By giving you all the information you need to understand what options are available to you, I hope that you can go on to make informed choices about how you will experience the birth of your baby so its the right birth for you. You dont have to do what your best friend did or listen to that woman from work your birth experience should be as unique as you are. Remember that women have been giving birth since the beginning of time and so we should learn to trust our bodies and know that birth doesnt have to be scary or stressful. Yes, pregnancy is full of ups and downs and its unlikely to be perfect and amazing all the way along, but thats just part of the beauty of it each experience is different and I hope this book can help you ride out any of those lows along with all of the highs.

Throughout the book youll also come across personal birth stories from real mums, each one totally different but each one full of really useful information you can take away and apply to the preparation for your own birth experience. By the time you finish reading this book I hope you will feel excited and full of confidence that whatever birth you have, it will be the most positive birth for you. Every birth Ive attended was as beautiful and special as the others, and I want to share what I have learnt in this book to help you realise that your own birth story will be just as amazing.

Everything you wanted to know but were too embarrassed to ask a guide to pregnancy and birth straight from the midwifes mouth.

Mum to four and midwife to many, Clemmie Hooper wants to share her knowledge, wisdom and stories about pregnancy and birth. Shell guide you through pregnancy week by week, with everything you need to know for each stage of pregnancy as well as labour and birth. From how to prevent tearing to what you really need in your hospital bag, Clemmie reveals everything pregnant women need to know with a good dose of humour and wit.

Clemmie gained her qualifications at the University of the West of England in 2006 and started a career in midwifery at Southmead Maternity Unit where she developed an interest in active labour and water birth.

Following a move to London after the birth of her first daughter, Anya, Clemmie spent time working briefly at Kingston Hospital before taking a new role at Kings College Hospital on the labour ward, one of the busiest units in the country. After several years of working on the wards, Clemmie joined The Lanes community midwife team as she wanted to do more than just support women through the act of birth and give care through pregnancy, birth and beyond.

Now, over a decade after qualifying, Clemmie is a community based midwife, writes a successful blog (www.gasandairblog.com) and works with local womens groups to provide information and guidance on pregnancy and post-natal care. Clemmie lives with her four daughters and husband in South London.

Youve made it! Congratulations! How you got here is different from woman to woman; it may have been a one-night stand, years of infertility, a sperm donor from a clinic or the bog-standard way of just having unprotected sex with your partner. But whatever your story, youre here now and youve probably got a million thoughts and questions racing through your mind.

SLOW DOWN. Its only the beginning. You need this whole pregnancy to get your head around the fact that youre going to be a mother. There will be a baby (or babies) at the end of this journey, so take your time, ask questions and surround yourself in positivity. Everyone will give you their tips, advice and opinions: just take it all with a pinch of salt. Only you know your own mind. Even if your emotions are all over the place (hormones are a funny thing!), take a breather and focus on one thing at a time. Even if thats what to make for dinner! Theres plenty of time to think about the bigger picture.

Dont panic about things like what sort of birth do I want?. You can address these mind-boggling questions when you have more information as your pregnancy develops and you start finding out more about your options. I often tell women you cant plan your birth anyway, so let go of the things you cant control and just get through these next few weeks. Rest and nurture your changing body: its doing an incredible thing growing a tiny human.

When I found out I was unexpectedly pregnant with my first baby at 23, I stared at the pregnancy test for what felt like an hour. I kept turning it over and looking at it, hoping it had miraculously changed from positive to negative. But, of course, it hadnt: it was a big fat positive. Those two pink lines staring at me on that plastic stick suddenly meant my plans would change for ever. So dont worry if you too are feeling overwhelmed by what lies ahead. Its entirely normal, even if this pregnancy was planned. Hopefully this book will support and guide you through it all. Think of it as your go-to for all those niggling questions you may be too afraid to even ask your mum.