THIS time last year, Horsham's Steph Winfield was a bodybuilder who had been told her exercise would mean she could never have children.
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Fast-forward, and she is now preparing to celebrate her first Mother's Day.
Ms Winfield and her partner Koen Jones welcomed their son Pearson Elias into the world on February 3.
It's been a whirlwind of sleepless nights and overwhelming love for all of them since then.
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Ms Winfield said she went to the doctors mid-last year while prepping for a bodybuilding show because something didn't seem right.
The doctor told her she was two weeks' pregnant.
"I burst into tears in the doctor's office and said 'but I was told I couldn't have babies'," she said.
As soon as Mr Jones saw her, he guessed what the doctor had said.
The pair was shocked but elated, and quickly began preparing to welcome their little one into the world.
But Ms Winfield said nothing could prepare her for just how hard motherhood could be.
"I knew there'd be less sleep and I wouldn't have time for myself anymore," she said.
"But the sleep deprivation is a whole new level. Sleep deprivation is a form of torture apparently - I believe it."
Ms Winfield said despite this, her life had changed for the better.
She said there were infinite things she loved about her son.
"When he smiles or he has this little sound - he goes 'oooh' and tries to talk. I find myself trying to get him to make that sound," she said.
"He giggles now so that's cute. He makes sounds and smiles and giggles and is grasping onto toys. I'm always having to have my hair up."
Ms Winfield said a low-key first Mother's Day was on the cards.
"I'd like to see Ko's mum and my mum but don't think we have anything planned for me. I think Ko's organised something - I hope he's organised something!" she joked.
"Breakfast in bed would be nice."
COVID-19 restrictions make planning anything further more difficult.
Ms Winfield said she was lucky her family and friends had the chance to meet Pearson before the restrictions ramped up.
"He was about six weeks old when the restrictions came in," she said. "Everyone had a chance to meet him and have cuddles.
"Now, our mothers and fathers are missing out on the most growing he'll do. It's heartbreaking they're missing out on that. That's the hardest thing."
Ms Winfield said she was also lucky her mother's group got to physically attend to sessions before restrictions came in.
She said there were now Facebook and Snapchat group chats, and the maternal health nurse had organised a Zoom video catch-up.
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Ms Winfield shared her advice for expectant mothers.
"Be prepared for sleep deprivation, but also times it by 100 in your head," she said.
"Ask for help when you need it, don't think it's all on you. Don't be afraid to wake up your partner, even if they have work the next day."
Ms Winfield said she struggled with the concept at first, until she and Mr Jones both accepted they were both the parents and shared responsibility.
"I don't quite feel so guilty waking him up now," she said.
"It is very, very difficult and if Ko didn't take him so I could get sleep, I would not survive."
Ms Winfield's labour was almost as unpredictable as the pregnancy itself.
She was in hospital for three days before Pearson arrived. She presented at Horsham's Wimmera Base Hospital on the Saturday in active labour - but she didn't know it.
When nothing progressed, the hospital prepared to send her home - and then her waters broke.
Because the baby was only at 37 weeks, Ms Winfield had to have injections to protect his lungs.
She said labour was not what she expected.
"I didn't ever feel I had a contraction," she said.
"They kept telling me it would feel like a band across my belly. I just felt pressure, like the baby was too low.
"Even when I had to push, they were like 'just push with whatever pain you can feel'."
After an hour and a half of pushing, Pearson's heart rate was unsteady and the doctors used forceps to remove him.
Ms Winfield was unconscious for the procedure, and Mr Jones was not invited into the room to watch the birth.
"It's sad he missed the birth of his son," she said.
Pearson Elias arrived on the Monday - February 3, Ms Winfield's sister's birthday.
"She was so happy. It's pretty cool," Ms Winfield said.
Ms Winfield said parenthood had brought her and Mr Jones closer together.
She said he was amazing, both during the labour and in the months since Pearson's birth.
Ms Winfield said her mother Sue Winfield had also been a huge support.
"Besides Ko, she's been my other rock," she said.
"I love her so much. I couldn't be a mother without my mum."
How are you celebrating Mother's Day during the coronavirus restrictions? Let us know below, or email cass.dalgleish@austcommunitymedia.com.au.