I always knew I wanted to be a mum, but it was when I met my partner, Aaron, that I knew I wanted to have a family. When the Covid-19 pandemic put life on hold, Aaron and I realised that we didn't want to lose any more time - we fell pregnant almost immediately. 

I was incredibly lucky not to suffer any morning sickness in the first trimester, but I was exceptionally tired (will I ever sleep 14 hours straight again?). At my 20-week scan, my placenta was covering my cervix (known as placenta previa) - so I, of course, had to immediately google what that meant, which I do not recommend. Thankfully, as my belly grew, the placenta moved away from my cervix.

At 24 weeks, Aaron and I took part in the 'Transform Your Birth' course. I didn't really resonate with the breathing exercises, or the 'calming philosophy' but what I did gain was the self-efficacy that I could absolutely birth a baby, and that I could do it unassisted. That belief in myself was worth it.

My due date was 3 March 2022, but from early February, I kept thinking 'it could be any day now!' My due date slowly came and went, and I was incredibly emotional every morning when I woke up without any symptoms of labour. Advice about inducing labour was thrown at me from every angle, none of which actually worked for me, and the 9 days I was overdue was incredibly difficult and heartbreaking for me. I felt like our baby didn't want to meet us and that I was doing something wrong. 

I finally lost my mucus plug at lunch time on Thursday, and I thought 'THIS IS IT!' But when no contractions followed and the hospital told me that it could still be some time before things really kicked off, I told Aaron there was no need to come home from work. Thursday evening passed and Friday morning came - still no baby. So I didn't tell anyone, not even my sister/best friend, that I was in labour.

The next night, Aaron had a basketball game at 7pm, but I told him to go and that he didn't need to worry about me - our baby was already taking after him and was planning on being late. But of course, five minutes after Aaron left, I started to really feel pain that resembled my understanding of contractions. The pain got worse and worse as time went on, but I (for some reason) didn't want to "bother" Aaron at his game, so I pushed through until he finally called me at 9pm to say they'd won the game. By then, I was crying hysterically and he was (safely) racing home to take me to the hospital. 

When we arrived at the hospital around 10pm (we still hadn't told anyone I was in labour), everything stopped for me. No more big contractions, no more pain and no more feeling of our baby being on their way - despite being 3cm dilated. The hospital said that this was common and encouraged me to keep labouring at home. Sure enough, everything ramped up again as soon as we walked in the door - so I alternated between a hot bath and a hot shower for pain relief, and managed to (apparently) nap between contractions until Aaron realised they were getting closer and closer together - but my waters still hadn't broken. 

We got back to the delivery ward at about 3.30am on Friday 12 March 2022, and the midwives admitted me and checked my cervix - I was 9cm dilated and they asked if I felt like I could start pushing. At that point, Aaron texted our parents (3.44am) to say that I was in labour and we would have our baby by morning. 

I laboured standing up and leaning over the hospital bed, with Aaron holding my hands in front of me. If he said any of the affirming and reassuring statements we learnt at the Transform Your Birth course, I don't remember. What I do remember was the midwife telling me that our baby would be here before the OB would make it to the hospital, and then my waters theatrically breaking just like they do in Hollywood movies all over the delivery room floor. At that point, my mum intuition took over, and I started pushing - after the second push, the midwife told me she could see an ear and then I just went for it - one more big push, and our beautiful baby was pressed against my chest at 3.58am (14 minutes later and without any time for pain relief). 

Aaron and I elected not to find out the sex of our baby during pregnancy, so about 10 minutes after the birth, the midwife asked what the sex was - and I was so overwhelmed with emotion that I hadn't even checked! We were blessed with a perfect 53cm, 4025g baby boy - Angus Noel - who has made our life better in every way possible since his arrival.

Tell us a bit about yourself?

Born and raised in Canberra to Greek-Cypriot parents, and the eldest of three siblings - who are my two best friends. In my spare time (what is that again?), I like to read, re-watch The Office and spend time with my family. 

What were you doing before babies/children?

I went to university three times and gained three separate degrees. I was a high school teacher for 4 years, and have been a lawyer for the last five. I love my job, but I ultimately want to end up teaching at universities.

How did you come to be a mum?

My partner, Aaron, is the most hands-on and engaged dad, and I couldn't be the mum I am without him. It was Aaron's interactions with the children in our lives that cemented my desire to be a mum, alongside someone who I knew would help me be the best I can be.

What has your feeding journey been like?

I was incredibly lucky, and I do not take it for granted - Angus latched perfectly from the first feed and he fed like a champion for our entire feeding journey. I had an oversupply of milk, so I pumped regularly for Aaron to provide Angus a bottle feed at least once a day. This gave me flexibility but also meant that Aaron and Angus had a strong bond as well.

Sadly, when Angus was about 10 months, I got a really bad flu and my body couldn't produce enough milk for him. At that time, we supplemented with formula, but my milk never returned. I was devastated that my feeding journey ended without any notice and not on my terms, but I am grateful for the 10 months I was able to breastfeed for. 

What has sleep been like in your house?

Angus is a perfect day napper, nice long naps and will sleep anywhere, but night sleep has been a challenge. 

Since the four-month regression, I can count on one hand the number of times he has slept all the way through the night. But we recently engaged a sleep consultant and it has done WONDERS for us. If any mums are thinking about doing it, I highly recommend! 

The hardest bits…

Mourning my old life and accepting my new life. There are absolutely no regrets - but I do miss sleeping in, going to the toilet on my own, being able to run errands freely, and spending one-on-one uninterrupted time with Aaron.

The best bits…

Without a doubt, Angus' laugh. When he finds something funny and I hear his infectious cackle, it feels like nothing else matters.

How do you make time for yourself?

I live by this mantra - You can't be the best mum if you're not the best you. 

When I'm finding life a little overwhelming, I ask my partner or my mum for some relief and I just spend some time enjoying the silence of being alone.

What’s next for you and your family?

Definitely more babies. Angus absolutely loves other kids and I can't wait to see him as a big brother.

If you could talk to your pre baby/kid self, what advice would you give?

Don't be so hard on yourself - you're doing a great job (applies to all things, not just motherhood).