From pregnancy to parenthood, our club members are on the most epic adventure of their lives. We are honoured to share their stories here - the highs, the lows and everything in between.
Our antenatal instructors also open up about their lives and work too, and we hope you find comfort and inspiration from a community bringing new life into the world, and those supporting it along the way.
“Shock, happiness and just a really amazing feeling.”
Birth was far from straightforward for Herne Hill Club member, Lorna Reed - but she feels nothing but positive about the whole experience. Ten months down the line she spoke to us about how it unfolded, meeting her baby boy, Alber, and the joys and challenges of motherhood so far.
Letter to my newborn self
As her baby girl turned one-year-old, Bump & Baby Club writer, Lottie Lewis, looked back at her transformative year and decided to write a letter to her past self, in the hope of giving some comfort and reassurance to those currently deep in the newborn trenches.
“It’s the best thing that's ever happened to us”
Stoke Newington Club member, Annabel Luke, was just 6 months into motherhood when she fell pregnant again. She shares her experience of having two daughters super close in age, how the transition from one to two babies was easier than zero to one, and how motherhood has been the most gratifying and rewarding part of her life.
Travels with my baby
Bump and Baby Club writer, Lottie Lewis, has recently returned from a 12-day trip across Spain - her first time travelling alone with her baby. She reflects on a transformative and glorious (but not plain sailing!) experience which was unlike any holiday she’d had before.
“I wanted their lives to be perfect”
For Fulham Club member, Lauri Williams, becoming a mother meant first overcoming deeply unhealthy habits related to food and exercise that had taken over her life and suppressed her period for years. She spoke to us about her remarkable recovery, how she’s learnt to manage her perfectionist tendencies in motherhood, and how her experience inspired her career change, from doctor to yoga instructor.
"I had a massive wave of feeling so incredibly grateful"
Bury Club member, Cindy Cohen, took some time to talk to us about her 'amazing' labour and birth, as well as the challenges and complications she experienced during pregnancy and directly after her baby was born - and the gratitude she's felt ever since.
“It felt like a homecoming. I had returned.”
Exhausted from the early days of motherhood, Bump and Baby Club writer Lottie Lewis took to the ocean to recharge and recover her old self. She reflects on that pivotal moment and how 'filling her cup' has been a priority ever since.
"We are part of the same team”
Cambridge Club member, Chris Atkin, unpicks how the early months of parenthood affected his relationship with his wife, Sarah, and how they’ve learnt to manage the stressors and cherish their time together.
"My OCD had hijacked my thoughts"
Roughly 1 in 4 women struggle with their mental health at some point during pregnancy or new motherhood. Our Tooting Club member, Tanveer Dhanoya, experienced this first-hand and writes candidly about her spiralling mental health and journey to heal.
"Every day she does something new and amazes me”
Dr Tosin Ajayi is a London-based GP. Six months after having her baby girl, she took some time to chat to us about pregnancy, birth, motherhood and her invaluable Bump & Baby Club friends.
Becoming a mother without my own
Photographer Oonagh Bush was 21-years-old when her beloved mother passed away. In this deeply moving and personal account, Oonagh describes the 'heart-achingly bittersweet' process of becoming a mother herself, without her own.
Dad-hood: Lessons learnt by new fathers
Lottie Lewis spoke to some of her dad-friends to find out how their lives have changed since the birth of their babies, and for any pearls of wisdom they’ve learnt along the way.
“You are enough”
Before having her two sons, Chez Taylor, suffered a miscarriage that rocked her world. She sat down with us to talk about how her loss shaped her early years of motherhood, her ‘amazing’ caesarean births and, now pregnant again, her expectations for life as a mum of three.
"My life is now her life"
For writer, Lottie Lewis, embracing a slower pace of life was the key to enjoying the first few months of motherhood. She opens up about the challenging early days, and how she found her rhythm and began to love her new normal.
Meet The Instructor: Ros
From Midwife to Mother to Entrepreneur. We spent a morning with our London antenatal instructor, Ros, to hear about her career path so far and her new project to support black maternal health.
“I had to learn what my new body was capable of”
Guildford Club member and former professional athlete, Charlie, describes how the ‘humbling’ changes of pregnancy have transformed her mindset towards her body and taken her career in a new direction.
“I never expected the emotional journey to be so intense”
One year into motherhood, GQ Jordan reflects on losing her identity, rediscovering herself, surrendering to the chaos and finding joy in everyday moments.
Waiting For Baby
Writer Lottie Lewis takes us through her emotional final stretch of pregnancy and how she waited for the ‘biggest, most exciting’ event of her life.
Meet The Instructor: Laura
Our Ealing Club leader, Laura, fulfilled her teenage dream of becoming a midwife. Now, a decade into her career, she reflects on the journey so far…
Meet The Instructor: Tanith
Victoria Park antenatal instructor, Tanith, spoke to us about what drew her to a career in midwifery and why she believes it’s one of the most extraordinary jobs in the world…