#AlwaysAsk: Isabella - Our preemie

5 years ago to the day, I was 29 weeks pregnant with Isabella. Little did I know that in just 3 weeks time, she would be here.

Two days before Isabella arrived, I started with mild contractions but a call to the unit at the hospital reassured me this was just braxton hicks (false labour pains).

The pain got worse so I went home early from work and called the hospital again to be told it definitely sounded like braxton hicks. After that, and a hot water bottle, the pain died down and I went to work the next day. The pain came back ten times worse and to this day, my ex colleagues talk about me doing the pregnancy rock. I remember walking around the supermarket after work having to stop and grip the freezer as the pain was so bad. I carried on, this was after all, braxton hicks.

That night, I was up and down the stairs, couldn't sleep. It wasn't until 4ish in the morning after a bloody show that I called the unit and was advised to come straight in. On arrival at the hospital and after being checked by a doctor AND a senior doctor, it was confirmed I was in fact fully dilated. The baby was coming.

At 5am, Isabella came into the world, crying thank goodness and I was able to have a quick hold before she was whisked away. The next time I saw her a few hours later, she was lying in an incubator, covered in tubes and wires; easily one of the scariest moments of our lives and when reality suddenly hit home.

Amazingly just 3 weeks later, after very little sleep and relentless breast pumping to at give Isabella the very best start I could, she came home and was admired for her 'remarkable' strength by the neonatal consultant.

At nearly 5 years old, you wouldn't know Isabella was a preemie. She's as tall as, if not taller than some of her peers, is doing well at school and is inquisitive and loving.

The reason I wanted to share my story is that some parents aren't as lucky as us. A new campaign by Tommy's Baby Charity, King's College London and BabyCentre brings to light a worrying statistic. More than 60% of pregnant women worry about wasting midwives time when raising health concerns. I felt exactly that way. I'll always carry my 'what ifs' with having Isabella early. What if I'd pushed for a check up? Could I have carried her to term? I'll never know but I do know I am truly grateful of the care we both received.

#AlwaysAsk is about trusting your instincts and if things don't feel right, go straight to your midwife. We're so fortunate to live in a country with an amazing healthcare service, it is there for YOU, as are your midwives. Listen to your gut and don't be afraid to ask. Here are Tommys' Top Tips for speaking up.

boobydoo- supporting women...literally!

I've never been particularly blessed in the 'boob department'. Changing for PE at secondary school was a weekly ritual of overhearing conversations about the best bras whilst I strategically changed in the corner wearing my AA crop top...

When I took up running about a year after having Isabella (my eldest), a sports bra was never a necessity as bounce-age was minimal. This all changed after having Florence, my second noisy beastie.

Florence is now 5 months old and I started running again 7 weeks post birth. Albeit slow, it was good to get out again after being glued to the sofa by a hungry breastfeeding baby and strict instructions to rest after an emergency c section.  The biggest difference I noticed when I began running again was the need for some support! Having not done any official measurements, I used my old faithful sports bra and made do. Not only was the fit rubbish, the logistics of feeding a hungry baby post run were difficult and ended with the now-not-so-faithful sports bra up around my neck and a painful latch.

When the chance came up to trial a new maternity sports bra with boobydoo, providers of the UK's biggest range of sports bras, I got in touch and lo and behold, a few days later I received some welcome mail!

What it says on the tin

The sports bra I was sent to trial is by a company called Boob. Boob Design was created and developed by women, for women, with a clothing range patented with 'smart double function for pregnancy and nursing'. Their range includes tops, nightwear, dresses and of course, activewear.

The Fast Food sports bra claims to provide 'extra firm support' with quick dry moisture-wicking fabric and of course nursing clips for quick access. As with all items created by Boob, sustainability is key and this sports bra is produced responsibly.

Testing it out

At first glance, this is a standard sports bra. Look a little closer and simple design features such as double layered fabric, padded shoulders and discreet nursing clips sets this bra apart from the breast- I mean rest!

To test out this bra for the first time, taking into account a clingy, hungry baby I decided on a buggy run. Straightaway I was impressed with the support this bra provides. Although described as a high impact number, I was dubious due to the soft material but I stood corrected, this bra both supports and feels nice!

She knows what she wants...

I have always dreaded stopping to feed in public after a run but when Florence demanded we stop for a snack, the nursing clips made my logistical nightmare a thing of the past.

The verdict

Amazing support and a design that is functional without being 'mumsy' has left me impressed with the Fast Food sports bra. The racer back allows free movement but with added comfort from padded straps.

Boobydoo strive for a no bounce policy allowing women to pursue their passions. A maternity range would be a fantastic new string to their bow.

On a serious note

With the traditional ideas of the role of a mother and what she should do and wear long gone, its important that women who are doing the school run, holding down full time jobs, wiping snotty noses and even breastfeeding, still feel like themselves.

Exercise can be a form of therapy, a way to just get away for just a few minutes and not think about work deadlines, what to make for tea or nurse a crying baby.

It is estimated that between 80-120,000 women will develop PND every year and with physical exercise championed as a hugely effective treatment, something as simple as a maternity sports range is a huge symbol of support for mothers everywhere.

Remember to check your size with boobydoo's bra size calculator before you order!

Boobydoo provided me with the Boob Fast Food sports bra for free in exchange for an honest review

Follow me on:
Facebook
Instagram
Twitter

You know you are becoming your Mother when...

"Take your coat off or you won't feel the benefit when you go outside".
Every time I find myself saying this, I can hear my mum's voice echoing in my head. I'm sure I remember not paying attention on the many occasions she said this to me when I was growing up. You know what though, it's true!

When I was younger, my parents were uncool and embarrassing, sometimes intentionally so; cue Mum and Dad trying to hold my hand aged 13 when I wanted to cross the road so as not to be seen with him. (Yes I know you did it to get a reaction and a reaction you got!).

The day I came home to find Mum had bought us all pac a macs. You want me to wear that?! (pac a mac: a lightweight weatherproof raincoat with a hood, in a bag- yes 8 year old me was not impressed)

The plastic, sandy cups and Robinsons squash bottle that came with us to the beach, various National Trust locations and appeared at any stop off on a long car journey- the latter accompanied by marmalade sandwiches. Said long car journeys never made without sick bags or towels!

All the times we baked cakes to the age old recipe of 6663 and how it was so annoying that you used a spatula to scrape the bowl so there was hardly any cake mix left to lick.

The way you washed yogurt pots out to keep for paint and pva glue or kept the plastic pizza bases to make a learning clock. These stacked up in piles in the garage along with the numerous ice cream containers, just in case.

When you sometimes had a glass of wine on a school night and Lucy and I would moan at you for doing so.

Well, now I'm a mother myself and I find myself doing Isabella's pac a mac up for Forest School. I curse that I don't have an empty squash bottle or sandy plastic cups for our picnic tomorrow and I get flashbacks whenever I eat marmalade sandwiches. Our journeys are never without a plastic bag and I've instilled a love of baking on Isabella, always to that same recipe, always in ozs and always the same grumble when the spatula comes out.

You know what? I'll hold the girls' hands when they're teenagers and that glass of wine on a Tuesday night?! Show me the bottle!

I'll strive to be that uncool, embarrassing parent, embracing the nose wrinkles of disapproval and I'll papier maché until I'm blue in the face.

And Mum, if I still roll my eyes at you when you triple check your keys or your phone are in your bag... It's only because I do exactly the same!