HAPPY FATHERING SUNDAY 2021 to ALL DADS and DADS to be!
Finding out you’re expecting is usually a wonderful and exciting time. But what about finding out you are expecting, during a global pandemic? With Father’s day approaching, we Spoke to Olly Glover, father of 2, a musician in the British Army, married to beautiful wife Emma, who shared his experience of becoming a father for a second time.
As you will see, this wonderful family were able to cherish and enjoy their pregnancy and birth experience, despite the chaos going on in the world outside.
Thank you for sharing your story with us, Olly!
Did you find out Emma was pregnant before the pandemic or during?
We found out during the lockdown that we were pregnant; it was a surprise as always, but we couldn’t have been happier!
How did you feel about the lockdowns, knowing that Emma was expecting? Did you have concerns?
I knew that there were restrictions on partners going to scans and I was worried that I would miss most of the lead up to the birth. I wanted to be by her side at every stage but understood that the safety of the public was more important.
How did it make you feel, to be excluded from scan and midwife appointments?
It was upsetting to know that I couldn’t go to the scans, but our priority was the health of the baby and mum.
Being a military family, it’s hard living away from family. Did you find it tricky to make arrangements for your other child when Emma went into labour?
Thankfully, Emma’s mum was with us through the Xmas period as that was when Emma was due. We formed a childcare bubble. It was invaluable having her there and we could focus on making big sister (Lily) have a great Xmas. When mum went into labour, we knew that Lily was in good hands.
At any point did you worry you might not be allowed at the birth? Did you guys consider a home birth instead?
I didn’t let this cross my mind at all and luckily it didn’t happen. We both understood the safety of the public, but I wouldn’t have felt comfortable not being there for Emma during the birth. We may have considered a home birth if I wasn’t allowed to go.
When Emma did give birth, how was it different to when Lily was born?
Every birth is different, COVID or not, but it made very little difference to the birthing process. I’m just glad I could be there! It was announced that we were going into the second lockdown after Xmas whilst we were still in the hospital. Yes, I had to eat my lunch in the car park but that wasn’t an issue!
Can you tell us what it felt like, becoming a dad for the second time, those first moments; and introducing baby Phoebe to big sister Lily, for the first time?
It actually felt completely normal and natural. Introducing lily to phoebe was great as we had explained to lily what was going on and what to expect and got her excited about the whole thing, she loved it as much as we did.
Do you feel that there is anything you missed out on because of the pandemic? Anything you wish you could change?
Apart from missing the scans, no, I have been blessed with a lot of time with my girls and as much as the pandemic has been terrible for many, it allowed me to spend the first few months of Phoebe’s life, together.
What is it been like adjusting to being a family of 4? What are your favourite things?
I love how Lily is with phoebe, I love how well mum has embraced the stresses of looking after two. It is now getting harder as I go back to work; but like we adjusted into the lockdown, we are now adjusting to life with an extra little lady.
When Phoebe was born, was it strange not having family visits to introduce the new baby?
It was invaluable time for us as a family, however it was very hard for the extended family to be restricted on seeing her. Luckily, it was not like the first lockdown; more was available in terms of seeing close family. Childcare had to be taken into consideration, so at times we had to take the girls to family so I could work and keep them safe.
If you could offer any advice to other dads on having a second baby, what would it be?
Embrace it, but most importantly do not think because you have had one already that you know what you are doing, every baby is different and you forget everything that you did before, so expect to start from scratch again!!
What are your plans for Father’s Day?
To have a nice meal with my ladies and carry on enjoying every moment I get with them.
If the past 14 months has taught us anything, it’s to cherish every moment and not take anything for granted. We at Alma’s Home Studio truly admire this couple for their positivity and for remaining conscious of the bigger picture; always mindful that the restrictions were put in place not just for their safety, but for the safety of many.
Thank you again, Olly and Emma, for allowing us to share your story
What are your plans for fathers day? Have you arranged gifts? Maybe a family day out? Why not book a father and child photoshoot?
From Almas’s Home Studio, we would like to wish all of our Dad’s, past, present and fathers to be, a wonderful father’s day.
And of course, we would love to share a very famous photo. The one who made into finals for International Photography awards 2019. And is indeed a testimony of a new life and new love.
International award winning image of a father and son, by Alma’s Home Studio