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Emma

Our life was turned up-side-down by a tiny little person, Nathan Prior, when he arrived, much to our surprise, three weeks early on November 12th 2002. My husband Dan only just made it to the hospital on time as he'd had a job interview! (Thankfully he got the job).

The staff at the Women's Hospital were great, Nathan was delivered safe and sound. After months of anticipation I was finally put to the test. Here's how I got on!

In the hospital

Being in the hospital was like being in a cocoon - I had no idea what was going on in the outside world. All that mattered to me was my little baby boy. I was utterly amazed by him, he was such a little miracle! He had tiny little hands and feet and couldn't cry properly, he made a pitiful bleeting noise and looked incredibly fragile. Family came to meet the new arrival with a sense of awe. We realised with humility and thankful hearts that every new life is a gift from God.

Going home

This was scary! No one warned me that I would feel so vulnerable on leaving the hospital. As we pulled onto Upper Parliament Street a police car chased by with sirens blaring. What had I done, bringing such a fragile life into this scary world?. I became the ultimate back-seat driver, panicking about the slightest danger on the road! I have always tried to trust in God's protection for my life, but here was a new test - trusting in God for Nathan's life too.

Sleep deprivation

How much sleep I didn't get became an obsession. Little Nathan had caught a cold and as a result was feeding little and often, which meant every hour even through the night! This was really hard work. I believe that there is a spiritual dimension to this world, and up to now I have always sensed that spiritual aspect in my life. But at that time I felt very earth bound! Life revolved around sleep, food, nappies and the challenge of brushing my teeth before 2 pm. And I watched so much TV - when I fed Nathan it was too easy to turn the telly on. Neighbours, Doctors and then Murder, She Wrote. I'm amazed that Jessica Fletcher has any friends left - every where she goes one of them gets lynched.

Lessons to learn

The things I didn't know and had to ask about: How to change a nappy, how often a baby needs to feed , how to give him a bath, what to do when he wees in his eye, how to burp him and lots more. His weeing in the eye trick is very funny! For such mini tackle he has got quite a power-jet!

Out and about

It was my first time at the parent/toddler group, Sticky Fingers at the Frontline Centre. I felt like the new girl at school - didn't know what to do or where to go. I was horrified as I walked through the door and promptly burst into tears! How embarrassing! This must be what my friends meant when they warned me about hormones. Nathan just slept through the whole thing. One mum told me to enjoy it while it lasts as she chased her 2 year old across the room.

Dangerous driver

I have had to learn how to drive again. Not a car this time, but a buggy. Went shopping on Allerton Road. The security man in Boots held the door open for me and smiled politely as I ran the buggy wheels over his feet. I made the feeble excuse of "learner driver". Walking the baby was my only form of exercise, and I really needed to shift those pregnancy pounds. In the absence of sleep, calories were my only source of energy and I was irresistibly attracted to the heavy duty ones.

With a little help from my friends

The kindness of family, friends and neighbours helped to keep me sane: shared experiences, encouraging words, lent baby equipment and clothes, much needed advice. One friend gave me a book that recommended a schedule for your baby. Thank you, friend! After twelve weeks things are looking up. Nathan is now following the schedule and wakes only once in the night for feeding, rather than every hour. I feel like I'm rejoining the human race.

Top tips for surviving the first few weeks:

Go 24 hours - give up the concept of night and day for the first few weeks at least;

Set yourself one prioritised task each day. Start small, like brushing your teeth (yes, it really does get that basic!) and build it up slowly. Remember it's a priority, not a "to do" list, so it doesn't matter if things slide;