How ironic. As you were choking on your cornflakes while reading last week's column, I was recovering in the maternity ward at KEMH. Baby Anabelle [Belle] Somorjay Burns was born at 3.35 a.m. on Friday August 6, weighing in at 7.7lbs after a natural delivery.

When I say "natural", it's a bit of a stretch to say that pushing out something the size of a melon from something the size of a lemon feels natural, but there you go. Regardless, she is thankfully, finally here and healthy, and we are all totally in love.

There's no doubt that the first few hours after giving birth are incredible.

With the hurdle of labour finally over, I lay in bed watching our littlest one sleep, mesmerized by every tiny breath and wriggle.

Having come to the end of a nine month long journey, I felt unbelievably peaceful and complete.

And although I felt as if I'd been hit by a bus, thanks to the lovely husband and now, the lovely doula Fiona Dill, the whole experience was amazing.

Despite being robbed of an epidural by a gang-related gunshot victim who held up the anaesthetist until it was "too late" (another story…), I had a relatively easy time and Belle made her entrance into this big, wide world after only seven hours.

So as is the way with a newborn, I have officially re-entered the world of sleep deprivation. I don't have a great track record with lack of sleep (the highlight last time being that I put the iron away in the fridge) so I'll be taking some time off Food for Thought for a few months.

I'll be back before you know it with more tales of domestic bliss mixed in with a little chaos, and of course with some nutritional snippets for you too.

In the meantime, wish the lovely husband, big sister Chloe and me some luck as we start life with our little Belle. It's a new adventure and we are so happy to begin it.

The advice given in this article is not intended to replace medical advice, but to complement it. Always consult your GP if you have any health concerns. Catherine Burns BA Hons, Dip ION is a fully qualified Nutritional Therapist trained by the Institute for Optimum Nutrition in the U.K. Please note that she is not a Registered Dietitian. She can be contacted at nourishbda@gmail.com