From one mother to another

Created with love, for you and your Butterbean.

A little bit abouthow I got here

I knew from a young age that one day, I wanted to be a mum.

I met Steve underneath Dippy the Diplodocus at the Natural History Museum when I was 29. After a very boozy brunch, lunch, and dinner (yes, our first date went on all day and got more and more blurry by the hour!), we were hooked on one another. I’d met my best friend and we both knew were onto something special.

Then, a global pandemic hit…

Get Clued Up

Unhelpfulunsolicited advice

To cut a very long story short, we had plans in 2020 to jet off to New York to celebrate Steve’s 30th and then to Barcelona, to go to a music festival. But everything was canned when the first Covid lockdown was announced.

So, instead of festivals and fun – I got pregnant and I nicknamed my baby ‘Butterbean’.

As soon as I did a wee on that stick back in 2020, and it came up positive, I was thrust into a world of misinformation, fear-mongering and unsolicited advice.

Those around me shared their horror stories in abundance. Midwives used language that suggested I would inevitably fail at birth. The whole undertone was geared towards ‘you can’t do this’.

As a staunch feminist, I look back on how I was treated during my first pregnancy with regret. Let’s just say, I wish I had known more about my body and my baby and believed less of the bullshit.

Lucy Woodbridge Hypnobirthing Specialist

The choicewas mineto make

When my due date rolled around, the conversation focused in on when I would be induced. I wasn’t asked, I was told. And I felt I had no choice but to accept.

My pregnancy was entirely low-risk, so there was no medical need for me to be induced. Despite this, I found myself on the induction ward believing that I was at risk if my baby wasn’t born on or near her due date. This belief stemmed from the fact that everyone around me had been feeding me a narrative throughout my pregnancy of ‘you can’t do this Lucy! Oh and also… it’s dangerous!’.

The first induction didn’t work (because my body wasn’t ready), and the second induction didn’t work either (because I still wasn’t ready). The third induction kicked things off at rocket speed, which ultimately meant I ended up labouring for hours before being taken to theatre for Ivy to be born via forceps.

Then, because I had no idea how to get started with feeding, I really struggled which was stressful, painful and, at times, quite traumatic.

As a new mum, I felt as though I had been chewed up by the system and coughed out the other side to figure out what had happened – alone.

Explore The Knowledge Hub

I am so bored of women not being given the information they so badly need.

I created everythingfor you

It wasn’t until I started to dig into the details that I uncovered some incredible facts about our innate ability to birth, carry and feed our babies.

I decided something needed to change. Women had to get their hands on everything I knew, it felt too important not to share.

So, Butterbean was born. A space for me to gift you all of the information and tools that I wish I had as a first time mum.

I have crafted everything with love, care and attention to ensure no stone is left un-turned. Oh, and I have qualified myself up to my eyeballs, so you can be sure you’re working with someone who knows their stuff!

Since it’s launch in 2022, this website has won several awards, including ‘Best Innovative Maternity Product’ at the Loved by Parents Awards and ‘Best Pregnancy Service’ at the First Time Mums Awards. Butterbean was also named ‘Best Emerging Pregnancy Support Service’ by LuxLife Parent and Baby Awards. Being nominated for ‘Best Pregnancy Product’ in the 2024 Mother&Baby Awards was the cherry on top!

Your ability to carry, birth and nurture life will forever be a source of awe and inspiration to me and it’s my mission to give you everything you need to help you along the way. I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again, you are remarkable, powerful and capable. Let’s ensure you feel ready and confident to navigate your pregnancy, birth and postnatal period.