@gemmaalster: An emergency C-section at 35 weeks was definitely not how I imagined last Wednesday would go. We were already booked in for an early C-section at 37+4 weeks, and everything felt planned… until it suddenly wasn’t. A week in NICU. A week away from our big girls. It all felt like a surreal dream I just desperately wanted to wake up from. I found myself constantly trying to rationalise everything that was happening because somehow it helps you get through the day. But the truth is, I’ve never felt more overwhelmed, more emotional, or more unlike myself. And if I’m honest, I still do. I know our NICU journey was considered “normal” for many babies born at 35 weeks. I know how incredibly lucky we are. But knowing that didn’t make it any easier. Hearing other babies crying in the rooms next to mine while my baby was upstairs instead of beside me broke my heart every single time. I’m sharing this because I think it’s important to normalise these feelings. I haven’t been online in a couple of weeks because I haven’t felt up to speak to anyone or post anything because that’s ’normal’ and things haven’t felt normal. I know you can feel grateful beyond words that your baby is okay, while also feeling heartbroken, traumatised, guilty, exhausted and completely overwhelmed. Those emotions can exist together. I’m writing this whilst still crying so maybe I’m a hypocrite. Right now I’m taking it one day at a time and hoping that, slowly, I’ll start to feel like myself again. Because at the moment, everything still feels incredibly heavy. Grateful for all the nurses at The Portland and St Mary’s who are just angels in human form, my incredible amazing husband who I couldn’t do anything without, our families and our gorgeous gorgeous 3 girls 🩷🩷🩷 If you’ve been through NICU or an unexpected birth, I’d love to know what helped you feel normal again. 🤍 #birthstory #csection #nicustay #nicubaby #emergencycsection
Gemmaalster
Region: GB
Friday 17 July 2026 21:55:51 GMT
Music
Download
Comments
M1lls1987 :
Great I’m balling my eyes out at 7:30am on a Saturday. You’re both so strong.
2026-07-18 06:29:37
610
realinesmoreu :
This really shows the importance of choosing a good partner to help you both through times like this 🤍Congratulations x
2026-07-18 11:13:31
150
skipskip :
I’m really glad you and your baby are well, and I hope you pay to forward and make sure you give money (both tax and donations) to the NHS hospital that saved your baby when the private sector couldn’t ❤️
2026-07-18 09:35:01
6
Alexandra Tealeaf :
Oh Gemma, you brave brave woman. Well done for all of the hardest hardest moments. Take a deep breath and remember to try (even with 3) to put yourself first as what you’ve been through isn’t easy. Welcome little Hallie! The Alster sisters will hold you in return for life. Congratulations xx
2026-07-17 22:06:18
151
Reale Home Style :
Oh Gemma, she is beautiful. It sounds like such trauma… sending you all such love 💕
2026-07-17 22:03:30
129
Jessica Dawn :
Sending all of your family so much love and support! 🤍🤍🤍
2026-07-17 22:00:46
62
del :
I wanted to cry at work anyway
2026-07-17 22:19:29
74
.holly.hw :
First time seeing you🥰. Might I suggest that you get a therapist for you and your husband. I fear without, over the years, you may unconsciously treat her like she’s made of delicate glass. Which overtime becomes noticeable to the other two children. I think it’s super important to have a therapist help you process and deal with her traumatic entry into the world. I have some experience being the sibling who watched her brother being treated differently when she was young. As well as being the mom to a second child that had more medical needs than her first. And my oldest daughter still holds feelings and resentment towards her sister today.
2026-07-19 14:15:02
17
Suzanne Ní Dhúil :
Oh Gemma. I sobbed out loud watching this. As an OG and watching you for many years this was such a hard watch. You are so incredibly brave. And take all the time you need as a family. I can’t begin to imagine how horrific this was for you both. She’s home. She’s safe. And you can breathe. Huge congratulations on your beautiful girl. And I simply adore her name. It’s perfect 💗💗💗
2026-07-17 22:48:50
56
Lisa :
I cannot imagine the trauma you went through. But she is here, and another beautiful daughter. Welcome little Hallie, time to thrive and be very spoilt xxx
2026-07-18 09:16:33
28
Claudialee09 :
This has just made me sob so much. Sending all the love ❤️❤️❤️
2026-07-17 22:11:05
27
Georgia Barry :
🥺🥺🥺 this made me so emotional I can’t even imagine how hard this was, you are so strong mama congratulations ♥️♥️♥️♥️
2026-07-18 09:24:17
13
Annie News 🇮🇪 :
Oh Gemma my heart goes out to you . I cried watching you go through this the entire video . I’m so glad you are all back home safe and sound . Congratulations on your beautiful baby girl 🥹🥰 sending lots of love.
2026-07-17 22:12:12
7
Fabrizia Pesce :
Got shivers for you guys Gemma ❤️
2026-07-18 00:15:20
10
Hannah 🩷🎀 :
oh darling ❤️
2026-07-17 22:02:18
7
Maisie Crompton :
Gemma I’m so so sorry!!! Not the start you imagined but hope you’re feeling a lot better
2026-07-18 17:55:29
5
Imogen✨ :
Sending you so much love ❤️
2026-07-17 22:00:42
6
Gemma :
Congratulations, what a beautiful name. I’m so glad she’s home doing well. Enjoy being a family of 5 💓💓💓
2026-07-17 22:04:22
62
Charlie Day :
So brave! 🥹 have been following from the early days of SAHB Gigi 🩷 am so glad Hallie has arrived safely, although unexpectedly early, and that all your girls are now home together. Once the adrenaline starts to wear off, please take the time to look after yourself too, I imagine the has been A LOT mentally as well as physically so please take the time you need to process xx
2026-07-18 06:20:26
20
Purplefrog :
Trauma focused Cbt (emdr is another good alternative) really helped me - my brain kept replaying what had happened and the therapy helped me to file things away. Sending you lots of love 💛
2026-07-17 22:07:34
18
Eliza 🦅 :
Hallie 🥰 what a beautiful name. Hope you are ok Gemma
2026-07-17 22:04:28
6
Scrollingfairy :
I had this with my first born, she was born at 37.5 weeks via emergency c section, we both had sepsis. My little girl Emily was born, we did not hear the normal scream just her being Carried past blue and floppy. They did cpr and brought her back, she was a tiny 4lbs 5oz but was so tall so looked like a 2lb one. My husband had to pick if he stayed with me in theatre knowing I was extremely ill and needing hdu or even icu… he went with our baby because I knew I would be okay.. I was wheeled back to HDU monitor and machines everywhere, nurses in my room the whole time.. what hurt the most was seeing Emily crib what was all laid out from the birth knowing she won’t be in it or wear the clothes soon. It took over two hours for Paul and the consultant to come to me and tell me Emily was very ill but a fighter. We spent 2 weeks battling to live. Emily is now 13, stands at 5.7ft, just finished year 8 in high ability, has already won 3 different university competitions, is one of the highest ranking in her year group and in the one below, already doing gcse maths. There is light at the end of the tunnel, the journey through is LONG, hard and very painful. I remember the first time getting out of bed to shower because if I did I could go down to see Emily. It took 4 nurses and my husband to help me shower and get dressed. Like yours mine did everything. Even when we got home and I split my stitches coming out of our 17 month old bmw coupe… once I was sorted after being blue lighted back to hospital we went and he changed it to a much more practical car. The end of this long story with so many details left out is that you will be ok. Rest as much as you can because once home it’s 24/7 and the c section is no joke it hurts. Swap with your husband every 4 hours so yours resting for 4 and he is resting for 4. As Emily was fed formula in nicu we combined bottle fed her, best decision ever. Work in shifts i promise it’s the best way for the first few weeks
2026-07-17 22:59:51
10
Zarah :
This is so emotional to watch. Sending you all the love and the biggest of congratulations xxx
2026-07-18 07:15:39
7
To see more videos from user @gemmaalster, please go to the Tikwm
homepage.