Diary of a First-time Mum

An uncensored account of all the stuff that really happens

New parents can easily be overwhelmed by the amount of information available on sleeping, feeding, burping, weighing and changing their new baby. So how do you wade through it all and find out what life with your new baby will really be like?

Diary of a First-time Mum is an unusual achievement.The author, Nicole Hall, documented her life as anew parent, jotting down her thoughts in the weehours of the morning as she breastfed. The result isa comprehensive account of all the stuff that reallyhappens when you become a mum for the fi rsttime.

Nicole says: When I came home with my new babyI was aware I may have a lot to learn. I mean I wasaware of some things, like the fact that new babiesneed regular feeds and sleeps, but the rest (i.e.everything else) I discovered only as they suddenlyoccurred. Having a baby is a huge learning curve andthere are some things you can only learn by goingthrough them yourself.

I wrote this book for pregnant women (and theirpartners) and for new mothers. Everything I sharehere, everything Ive learned and found out aboutbeing a new mum, I wish I had before my babies wereborn. I hope it will provide invaluable pre and postbirth insights and be a useful companion to all eagerto-be mums like I once was / still am.

At times hilarious and sad, poignant and quirky,Nicoles diary shares her intimate experiencesof everything from labour to changing nappies,endless poo, mastitis, sleep patterns, changes in herbody and the joy of getting to know her new sons.She also shares her inner thoughts on her transitionfrom being a professional working woman to fulltimestay-at-home mum.

Nicole says the support of family, friends and healthworkers was invaluable: I had so few ideas aboutbabies or parenting. I had no idea how it would feel tohave a little one attached to me all the time, I had noidea what to do with a sick baby. These people becameour instruction manual.

Now I have children, the way we live seemsnonsensical to me. We, the primary parents, are allslaving away in our little boxes; all doing the samething, all coming up against the same challenges. Iimagine that in tribal communities fi rst-time mothersdo not have such a diffi cult time.

Speaking from my own experience I would adviseany new mum not to struggle on their own. It may bethe most rewarding job in the world, but its also thehardest. Dont be afraid to ask for help from family,friends and community services, and join a mothersgroup - you will quickly fi nd everyone is in the sameboat!

Nicole Hall is a clinical psychologist and (nowadays)34-year-old mother of two young sons. Nicole has aBachelor of Science (Honours), a Graduate Diploma ofPsychology and a Doctorate of Clinical Psychology. She hasworked as a clinical psychologist with adolescents and youngadults in public health and more recently, in private practice.Nicole is currently involved in mental health research.

Diary of a First-time Mum
Finch Publishing
Author: Nicole Hall
Illustration by Fiona Katauskas
ISBN 9781921462122
RRP: $26.95


What people are saying about Diary of a First-time Mum:
This book is vulnerable and real... it taught me so much and gave me great reassurance heading intomotherhood. - Lexi Newman, 8 months pregnant

... Finally a book that sets your expectations straight so you can relax and just enjoy your fi rst baby (andany others after that!). - Dr Sarah Hetrick, clinical psychologist and mum of 1-year-old Luca

A must-read, this blow-by-blow account of life with a new baby is both an eye opener and anexcellent aide for expectant and new mothers.- Lise Taylor, Editor, My Child

Extract from the book:
We have had a baby! A tiny, perfect mysterious baby. What a shock.

It was a stinking hot mid-January day and my baby was eleven days overdue. Sex and long walks haddone nothing to bring on labour. So it was off to the acupuncturist again to encourage some birthaction. She told me that I was defi nitely expecting a son (a 50 per cent chance I fi gured), and that hisarrival was imminent! On the way home my body demanded I stop for alarge vegetable juice then, when I got home, I resumed my position on thecouch, sitting on a pile of old towels. Just in case.

There was nothing unusual about that morning, compared to any otherpregnant morning, apart from the occasional very mild period-like pain thathad been present for the past 24 hours, and the almost constant BraxtonHicks contractions. I was desperate for a hearty lunch, ate at around 12.30,then after a couple of hours went upstairs for a sleep.

The fi rst real contraction appeared just as I was settling down. Was thisIT? The contraction was not overly painful. Maybe I was still in pre-labour?Id been expecting a lengthy period of pre-labour as the baby was in theposterior position (when the baby is in the posterior position it is notapplying eff ective pressure to the cervix and may delay the start of labour,apparently! ) and knew I should rest to get through what could be hoursbefore labour-proper began. But sleep was impossible. I jumped in theshower to wash my hair, just in case, not wanting to look too greasy andshabby for the arrival of the baby. I had one contraction in the shower. Itwas more painful, painful enough to make me get out quick smart, whichsurprised me as Id imagined the shower would be a lovely soothing place to be.Jules came up to see why I was not sleeping and saw me having a contraction. He grabbed a preggiebook to see what this might mean (ha ha ha). Pre-labour? Hmmm. Just in case, Jules threw our hospitalbag and toiletries together and ran them to the car, together with a fi t ball, stereo, CDs, snacks, waterbottle, and a whole lot of other essentials. I laugh now at our unknowing.