By Melissa Walsh
“A new phase in my life” is how peninsula born Jessica Martini (Burgdorf) describes her journey into motherhood.
The multi pageant winner, Miss Galaxy Australia, and advocate for youth on the Mornington Peninsula, is enjoying life and the challenges that come along with first time motherhood.
Jessica gave birth to beautiful Lara on 1 August 2018 and says it has completely changed her life.
“I feel like it was the right time for me to step into this new part of my life and am quite happy to be living the quiet life with my baby girl and husband, Aaron. It’s actually wonderful how everything slows down and I am more present than ever, able to enjoy looking after Lara,” said Jessica who quickly became pregnant after marrying her sweetheart of 11 years, Aaron.
“I actually got pregnant very quickly after getting married which was a thrill and surprise. I had been to a yoga and meditation class and during the meditation I visualised a flower coming out of my stomach and a beautiful baby coming out of the flower.
I went home and decided we needed to have a baby,” she said with a laugh. “One month later I found out I was pregnant. We wanted to start a family but just didn’t expect it to happen so quickly.”
Little Lara was born on August 1, two weeks before her due date, which came as a bit of a shock to the young couple.
“I had just seen my obstetrician and she asked how I was feeling. I said a bit off this week and so she did a check and said I was going to have this baby within the next 24 hours. I was in shock,” said Jessica. “It took me a long time to get my head around the birth anyhow. I said to myself ‘OK 40 weeks and I will be ready’ so when I was there and she said I would have the baby within 24 hours it was quite a surprise.”
Next morning Jess and Aaron went back to the hospital at 8am and were taken straight to the birthing suite.
“It was so surreal. I didn’t feel like I was about to have a baby and yet we were going to the birthing suite,” she said.
“After six more hours of labouring they said I was dehydrated so put me on a drip. Very soon, I felt like pushing and sure enough the midwife said the baby was being born.”
Jess, with her husband in the room, soon delivered little Lara who was seven pounds exactly.
“Lara was born at 9.57pm but it did take me a little while to attach to her as I was in shock. The whole thing had happened so quickly and I was completely overwhelmed,” said Jessica, who had gone to calm birthing workshops which definitely helped ease her anxiety about the birth.
“I was nervous about the whole thing I didn’t know what to expect with the pain and so on but that workshop was amazing and gave me a 360 degree change.”
Like many first time mums, Jess’s experience was wonderful but strange.
“Everyone said once you met your baby you will fall in love but it took me a little longer. I love her to pieces but it just took a while to get used to being a mum.”
Motherhood has certainly kicked in now when you see Jessica so comfortable with her little girl, naturally playing and looking after the 15 week old.
“Our days now are just lovely. We go for walks and to the park. Life is different now I have stopped work. Everything slows down and we just take it at our own pace. It is lovely,” said Jessica. “She is an angel and sleeps all night now which has made a huge difference. The first months were tough but life is easier now she is older and more alert.”
Like all new mums, Jessica has gone from not knowing how to change a nappy to a confident, nurturing mother.
While little Lara might be the spitting image of her dad, she has Jessica’s relaxed and calm nature.
“This has been an insane transition completely different from the pageant days but I wouldn’t change a thing. I felt like it all came to an end at the right time and the next thing I knew I was given this whole new life. It is an amazing gift.”