Marnie Simpson: Health struggles and birth

I was bed bound, I was crying myself to sleep, I was in agony. It was one of the toughest times of my life. I don't think I'll ever forget it.

Since I was 17, I've suffered with on going bladder infections and no doctor could really find out the root cause, no one could work out why I was so prone to them. Luckily I got through my whole pregnancy without any problems, no bladder trouble at all. I was just really anxious for the birth. Even though my doctors did advise me to do a C-section, I still opted for the natural birth, because I was listening to all the Instagram mums. I was listening to people who barely even know us. If I'd just listened to my doctors, it would've saved a lot of upset and a lot of struggles that me, Rox and Casey have suffered.

Within a few days of giving birth, I flared really badly with my bladder and it's taken almost seven, eight months to get under control. I'd planned all of this stuffI wanted to do with my baby and I was virtually bed bound. I couldn't do anything with him. I was in and out of hospital because of the pain. I was unable to stand up. I couldn't change him, I couldn't bath him. It was so depressing to us. It was one of the toughest times of my life.

I think because I had Rox, he was making us so strong and making us so determined to fight through it and get better. My advice to any woman would be to just do what you think is right and to not be influenced by anyone online. I just think you've always got to pick the safer option for you and your baby because you're the one who's going to be looking after your baby. You also need to be fighting fit to be there for your child. That's something that I wasn't able to do, if it wasn't for Casey, I wouldn't have been able to cope.

I feel like it's important to speak out if you're struggling as well. You've got your midwife and your family. Don't be ashamed, becoming a parent for the first time is tough, so just speak out and if you need the help, ask for it.