A perfect gift
Style’s cover model Chantelle Williams shares what pregnancy was like with daughter Aria Ivy Ernst
On March 20 at 2.56pm at St. Vincent’s Hospital, Chantelle Williams and Brett Ernst welcomed their daughter Aria Ivy Ernst into the world — a perfect little bundle.
“Holding her for the first time was very emotional — we went through a long process before she was born,” Chantelle says.
“My partner was hurt before I was induced with her — I actually had to hold on for three days.
“So, we were in hospital for a whole different reason before having her.”
Chantelle is the mess manager at Borneo Barracks in Cabarlah.
“I had a really great pregnancy with no sickness — I worked up until 36 weeks,” Chantelle says.
“She’s a very cuddly girl,” Chantelle laughs.
“Once a week we go out and
have play dates with friends — I have a lot of friends that are pregnant at the moment.”
Toowoomba has been a wonderful place for Chantelle, Brett and Aria as a young family.
“Aria hasn’t had needles yet so unfortunately we can’t take her a lot of places but there’s some great coffee shops – we love Zarraffas, The Coffee Club and Parisiann Patisserie.
Chantelle believes that being a mum is never what you expect, and there’s no right or wrong.
“Listen to everyone’s advice, but just take what works for you,” she says.
“Having a good doctor helps through the pregnancy — someone who is always on call or you can text.
“We became very close with our doctor [Dr Zakia Sharif] — she’s more than a doctor.”
If she were to do it all over again, Chantelle wouldn’t do anything differently. “Probably not getting Brett to hurt himself!” she laughs. “Everyone has their own struggles and their own story to become a mum, but when it happens, it’s perfect.”
Everyone has their own struggles and their own story to become a mum, but when it happens, it’s perfect. – Chantelle Williams