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.
‘Motherhood somehow seems to glue people together’
Earlsfield Club member, Sam Dainty, not only formed a tight bond with her antenatal group, she also found a best friend and business partner too…
Generations of Motherhood
When Bump & Baby Club Writer, Lottie, became a mother she began to reevaluate and reflect on her childhood and upbringing, and to fully understand and appreciate what her own mother did for her. Here, both women describe their connection and how it’s evolved with the arrival of baby Bonnie…
“I really wanted to breastfeed her, I just needed to figure it out”
Putney Club member, Ali Croft, sat down with us on the very last day of her maternity leave to reflect on an emotional and joyful first year of motherhood, including the biggest challenge she faced in the early days - her struggle with breastfeeding.
“I identified 6 things I need to manage my mental health”
Tunbridge Wells club member, Zoë Gibson Quirk, spoke to us about conceiving and caring for her son, Spike, whilst protecting her mental health.
“All that matters is your brand new, very small, very tired family”
Seven months into fatherhood, the learnings are coming thick and fast for Tooting Club member, Luke Hemsley. He spoke to us about his emotional ride so far - from cautious excitement during the pregnancy, to the joy, relief, pride and growing confidence that came afterwards.
Our ‘1 in 1000’ baby and his special feet
During pregnancy, Fishponds Club member, Rhian Stevens, discovered that her baby had Clubfoot, a treatable condition where he’d be born with feet that turn in and under. Now a walking, busy one-year-old, he has responded brilliantly to treatment and Rhian hopes their story will bring comfort and reassurance to anyone experiencing the same diagnosis.
Meet The Instructor: Laura
Our antenatal instructor, Laura Hayward, has supported hundreds of families through their transition to parenthood and now, at 32 weeks pregnant, she’s on the journey for the first time herself. We caught up with her before teaching her antenatal class in West Norwood to hear about her excitement, nerves and her top tip for navigating the NHS maternity system.
Meet The Instructor: Lucy
After 10 years working as a midwife, our antenatal instructor, Lucy, recently became a mother herself. As well as sharing some of the magical moments so far, Lucy shares her struggle with intrusive thoughts and her passion for raising awareness about this important topic.
“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.