Lily Foggan, from Bicester, helps women get through their pregnancies as a midwife and runs antenatal classes.

I delivered my first baby at just 18.

I was shaking like a leaf, trying to hold back my emotions.

On that day, this wonderful woman became a mummy and I became hooked on midwifery. I was not prepared for my life to change how it did over the next three years.

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Since then I’ve been lucky enough to experience so many amazing moments with women and their pregnancies every step of the way, from listening to a baby’s heartbeat for the first time, holding mums' hands through their labour and helping them feed their baby for the very first time.

Don’t get me wrong, the job is not without its challenges (although I bet your job doesn’t involve as much bodily fluids as mine), but being a midwife is by far one of the most rewarding jobs.

Oxford Mail:

I’m often asked what my favourite thing about being a midwife is and honestly there are so many things to name. Granted, it’s long hours, I’m usually highly caffeinated, I test my bladder to its upper limit, I’m screamed at quite a lot and I’ve seen things I wouldn’t recommend – but I honestly love it.

For me, the best part is achieving continuity. Recently I have looked after a lady with all four of her pregnancies. It is so important to have the same midwife throughout your pregnancy so we can really get to know each other and look after you to the best of our abilities. Midwife means 'with woman' and that is exactly what I do.

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It really is one of the biggest days of your life, so quite rightly, I know plenty of expectant mothers that take to Google to find out the answers to their burning questions about their ever-changing bodies (some too explicit to share here), but they’re faced with an overwhelming amount of advice which is often contradictory. Not everyone poops during labour, you know.

I’ve seen so many mothers who feel scared about what’s to come and feel massively under prepared, which was essentially the reason I started my private antenatal classes called From Bumps to Babies.

I run a weekly two-hour session that runs across four weeks, to help mums feel more comfortable and prepared for the journey ahead. These relaxed and intimate classes of up to 10 couples gives you the chance to meet other mums and dads in the local area that share a similar due date. It warms my heart to see some of my first mums still meeting up now to celebrate their babies' first birthdays.

Oxford Mail:

The sessions cover pregnancy, labour and infant feeding. I help you to understand realistically what is to expect when you labour, the choices you’ll be faced with and the evidence-based information that will help you make the best decision for you.

It’s not just about mums either. The dads who attend my classes walk away feeling more involved, more prepared and generally less useless than they originally thought they’d be. It’s 2020 now guys, your excuses for not changing nappies are long gone.

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It’s more important than ever to support a local business where you can, so I always put together a little goody bag for each couple with a few treats from local businesses.

So whether you’re a first time mum, or a pro in need of a little refresher, then I’d love to see you at one of my upcoming classes. Don’t just take my word for it, you can check out my website below for reviews and further info.

Due to coronavirus I am now offering online education to keep us all safe whilst isolating.

Please note that the views in this article are my own entirely and in no way associated with the NHS.

Follow @frombumpstobabies for pregnancy and labour advice or go to www.frombumptstobabies.com.