Thank you!

This blog post is going to be a bit different to my others as I want to dedicate it to a very special lady!

When I was pregnant with my first daughter, Jasmine, we decided to sign up to a set of National Childbirth Trust (NCT) antenatal classes. I wanted to know just what was going to happen to me during labour and we both felt we needed to know more about what was going to hit us when the little one arrived! Our antenatal teacher, Rebecca, was brilliant! She went through everything in such an upbeat manner and had us laughing throughout the sessions. But her support didn’t stop when the classes ended. She continued to touch base with us even months after Jasmine was born.

Following on from this I signed up to Rebecca’s Mother and Baby Yoga classes. The classes weren’t just about stretching and toning. They were a chance to voice any frustrations or worries in a safe environment with other mothers and Rebecca facilitated these conversations perfectly!

So when Jasmine became too big to attend these classes and it was time to say goodbye I felt I needed to write something to acknowledge just how much Rebecca had supported us. And so I wrote this poem in a card and gave it to her at the end of our last class:

 

“Right from the start when she was still in my tummy,

You’ve helped me to be the very best mummy,

A friend and mentor to guide me through,

Never judgemental when I haven’t a clue,

Understanding, patient and so very kind,

You pick me back up when I’m losing my mind,

There to encourage and sing my praise,

You’ve shown me love in so many ways,

So I want to say thank you for all that you’ve done,

I’m sure this is echoed by every mum,

You’re one of a kind, there is no other,

A real life fairy godmother!”

 

Just before Jasmine turned two I found out I was pregnant with my second baby. My birth experience with Jasmine had been quite traumatic so as this pregnancy progressed I began to feel quite panicky about the birth. Once again Rebecca was there for me. She allowed me to voice my concerns, taught me relaxation techniques to help in labour and arranged for me to visit the birth centre at the hospital so that I could chat to them about how things could be different this time. And they were!

Early labour went on for a couple of weeks with stop start contractions but Rebecca text me with messages of encouragement throughout this period. Thankfully the actual birth was quick and straightforward, just as I’d hoped for, and we were back home to Jasmine before she even woke up. Rosanna Ivy Wilkes was born on 22nd January and we are now settling into our life as a family of four.

No doubt Rebecca will be there for us again at some point in the coming months. What’s amazing is that she goes above and beyond like this for all of her mothers. I personally can’t thank her enough…Rebecca you are one truly special lady! xxxxx