POD was born following an eventful pregnancy which included an ultrasound of her brain and heart cavities. It was a nerve wracking yet utterly incredible experience. We’d met a wonderful lady at the Evelina Children’s Hospital in St Thomas’ who was calm, kind and knowledgeable. She had a genuine love for what she was doing and took great pleasure in showing us POD’s organs. Including her brain in her skull. That I will never forget.
Amazingly despite endless scans throughout my pregnancy we managed to avoid finding out POD’s gender. We wanted to keep it a surprise.
POD arrived at 10.46am on Christmas Day 2010. Her appearance was marked by the sound of the Salvation Army singing ‘Good King Wenceslas’ outside the delivery suite. I think I will remember that moment forever.
We had a shortlist of names but we had’t been able to choose one, so we decided to meet he or she first for inspiration. When the midwife asked us what we were going to call POD, something really weird happened. At exactly the same time and without hesitation we both said “Poppy”. You’d think this was because it was the top girls name on our list. But it wasn’t. It wasn’t even top five. But there she was. Poppy Olivia Dove. The perfect name for a perfectly formed tiny person.
This photo was taken when POD was one hour old. Considering she’d just been through a 47 hour labour, got stuck on the way out and endured a vacuum extraction, she was in rude health. We stayed in the delivery suite for some time afterwards as I chundered my way through the hospital’s supply of cardboard hats, got to grips with breastfeeding and wondered if I’d ever walk again. The remainder of Christmas Day was spent feeding POD and watching her sleep through the sides of the transparent cot. Astonishing that two people can create a human being when you think about it.
On Boxing Day morning, we had a visitor. A smiley faced chap clutching a camera. He was a photographer from the local paper taking pictures of all the Christmas Day babies. Little did we know not only we’d end up in the paper but we’d be front page news. It’s the worst photo. We look about 102 and jaundiced. It’s not going to win us any modelling contracts, but it’s a fantastic memento for POD to have when she’s older I guess.
There are plenty of old wives tales about how to tell whether you’re expecting a boy or a girl. According to most of them we were having a boy. I was carrying low and out front, I didn’t suffer from morning sickness (all day nausea instead) and I craved salty food. Her heartbeat sounded like a train. She was nicknamed ‘baby Jesus’ because of her Christmas Day due date.
We genuinely didn’t mind what sex baby we had providing it was healthy. But given all the above it was difficult not to make plans for the impending arrival of a Master Dove. The POD Father enjoyed most sports growing up, but notably rugby so I know he was looking forward to kicking an oval ball in the park. However, I would challenge anyone to find even an ounce of disappointment at having a daughter. They couldn’t be closer. To the point that I must admit I sometimes feel like a third wheel!
POD is a truly astounding little girl with an enormous personality. Although she’s only two, her range of facial expressions, hilarious dance moves and the way she flicks her hair from her face have already cemented her as such a little female person. Its amazing how some things just seem to be pre-conditioned.
At the moment she’s definitely sugar and spice and all things nice. Ask me again when she’s a teenager…!
The theme for The Gallery this week is ‘Girl’. To find out more and join in, please visit Sticky Fingers
That sounds like a very worrying time but really glad that everythings worked out well 🙂 She looks so cute in that picture!
It was worrying but all worked out well in the end 🙂
Oh, what a lovely story! So many happy moments to dampen down the memories of 40 hours in labour. May little POD continue to bring joy to your hearts!
Thank you so much, POD is amazing 🙂
wow what a amazingly scary experience for you! 47 hrs in labour ouch!
Scared for life! Having POD makes up for it. And wine 🙂
Beautiful picture. She looks so alert for being an hour old.
Thank you Laura, she was probably wondering what on earth was going on!
Minxy was born with the help of both forceps and ventouse – i feel your pain!
A beautiful little bundle 🙂
Awh she is beautiful! Glad it all worked out though sounds traumatic xx
Thank you Louise, she’s probably wondering what on earth was going on there! She’s fabulous though, rather spotty at the mo – has chicken pox!
Ouch, sounds like you had a fun time too! They don’t cover all this stuff in NCT do they?! Thank you for taking the time to comment 🙂
I too had terrible and frightening pregnancies (An op at 20 weeks pregnant with Maxi), but they are such joys. What a wonderful blog post and what a joyful tale too. As a near christmas baby 20th, I have grown to love Christmas, but gosh I hated the joint presents when I was small. I always wanted an unbirthday in June!
An op at 20 weeks must have been absolutely terrifying. It sounds like it was a dreadful time for you – and afterwards. It’s good to hear someone else has had the same December birthday woes – we’d like to do an ‘unbirthday’ when POD’s starts school. Christmas Day is quite eventful at the moment!
It sounds like a Christmas you’ll never forget
You could say that! Amazing memories though 🙂
Oh Charly, Charly, you do write the most lovely Gallery posts. That photo is just priceless also. You had me at: “Her appearance was marked by the sound of the Salvation Army singing ‘Good King Wenceslas’ outside the delivery suite”. Sniff 🙂
Thank you so much Tara, I absolutely love The Gallery. It’s so refreshing to be able to write and showcase what I like. Very different to writing about marketing and new business 🙂
Beautiful name for a beautiful baby xx
Thank you Emily, very kind of you. She is a little monkey too 🙂