MUM'S THE WORD

She's an actual midwife, Like, she brings humans into this world. And when Clemmie Hooper's not doing really good life things, she's sharing inspirational birth stories on her blog Gas & Air. Oh, and she was just highlighted by Emerald Street (Stylist Magazine's daily email) as an Instagram style maven to watch. Did we mention she has a book coming out, too? This gal is a triumph to the maternal realm

Number of kids?

Two. Anya is Seven and Marnie is Four.

So you're a midwife? How did that come about?

I really wanted to be a midwife since I was a child – no seriously. So I went to school, did A-levels and applied for courses and got a place to do a degree in Midwifery at Bristol Uni. It just sort of all happened and before I knew it was I was delivering actual babies. It still makes me smile with pride when I see a toddler running around the local park and I think I helped deliver that baby.

What's the one thing most mothers ask you as a midwife?

Will I poo? How long will labour last? Can you tell if my bump is boy or girl shape?

You share other people's birth stories on your fab blog. Why did you start doing this?

It became a regular feature about a year ago after women would email me and say, ‘hey I had a baby and it was fine and women should know it’s going to be OK’. And I thought you know what I’m so tired of the scare mongering that goes on between women about birth. We all have different births and each birth is unique and beautiful and should be told. Whether it’s a home water birth or an elective C-section, there’s always positivity in every birth And who better to tell their births than the women themselves. It’s been overwhelming how empowering it has become to be able to use my blog as platform for these incredible stories to be shared.

Worst mothering moment?

When I swear when driving. My seven-year-old says ‘mummy don’t say the s word’. I need a swear jar – I’d be loaded.

Best mothering moment?

When they grab my face, pull me really close to theirs and say, ‘ I love you mummy all the numbers in the world’. Even at 7am.

Dinner party or play date?

Dinner party, who says play date? I HATE the word 'play date' – can’t us Brits have another word for it?

Home or away?

Ah man, I love a holiday. Like, I really, really love lying by the pool or on a beach – but I love my home. We bought our house a year and a half ago and I’m so proud to call it ours.

Can’t live without…

Apart from my family, I’d say fresh flowers and chocolate Hobnobs.

Can’t live with…

Laziness. As in an empty milk carton in the fridge and plates left next to the dishwasher – we all can relate to that. I’m a self-confessed tidy freak and mess makes me anxious.

What’s the last thing you bought?

Oh god this morning in bed I managed to buy an expensive pair of amazing shoes from & Other Stories. Just don’t tell my husband… It’ll be a ‘these old things I’ve had them for years’ type of convo.

Last call?

To John Lewis trying to chase my order (it’s arrived now, phew).

Most pukka thing you own?

My house. I own an actual house and I love it.

Most annoying thing mothers say?

‘Motherhood hasn’t changed me one bit I love everything about it’. LIES!

Mothering is…

Amazing, exhausting, messy and emotional.

Midwifing is...

Amazing, exhausting, messy and emotional.