The support from friends and family has been overwhelming and "not too crazy".
Waking up at the wee hours to feed Pippa is somewhat outside the realm of going to hockey training sessions.
"You're moving around at night trying to figure out why the crying is each time."
Gaddum's daily routine has undergone a major change now she has to take into account another person but it's an adjustment she embraces.
"Both Harry and I are enjoying that," she says of her husband.
However, Gaddum has been helping out tournament director David Nancarrow and his crew in organising the Vantage-sponsored festival, which starts this Friday.
She is looking forward to meeting the Vantage Black Sticks squad members, especially the new blood she doesn't know much about.
"It's a new team and some of the girls I don't really know that well but there are a couple who I have played with so it'll be quite neat to catch up with them and go support them and take Pippa along and introduce her to some of the girls."
The experience of players such as Stacey Michelsen and other 100-cap-plus players, combined with youth, should make things interesting as coach Mark Hager looks to fine-tune his line up.
Having watched the Black Sticks women's tour matches in Argentina last month on TV Gaddum can't wait to see them live.
No doubt she is missing hockey a little despite relishing the maternity break to have her first child after announcing her retirement when Hager revelaed who would be in his squad for the Rio Olympics last year.
"With Mark back it'll be pretty exciting. I pick them to be in the final before they kickstart it all off."
The 274-cap defender/midfielder is unsure about trying to get back into the international equation again but club hockey beckons and possibly a bit of National Hockey League with the Central Mysticks.
"At this stage I'm ready for a couple of small jobs and I've got a bit of work to do on the fitness."
While it's a shame the Hawke's Bay Cup has shrunk to four international teams from eight last year Gaddum reckons those who are returning have quality.
"At least the calibre is right up there so you'll be having pretty good games."
She says it exciting to have the United States back since 2015, Australia are perennially tough and Japan were last year's finalists.
"I think every day will be very competitive so it should make for good watching in every game."
Gaddum is aware of the proposed International Hockey Federation (FIH) Home and Away League from 2019.
"It's a pretty exciting format and, hopefully, it'll come to Hawke's Bay. I don't know too much about it but it's all pretty exciting."
FIH has shortlisted 18 nations, including New Zealand, as candidates for the men's and women's leagues.
Argentina, Australia, Belgium, England, Germany, India, Ireland, Japan, South Korea, the Netherlands, New Zealand, South Africa and Spain have made the cut for both genders.
China, Italy and the United States have thrown their hats into the ring for the women's teams while Malaysia and Pakistan have put their feelers out for the men.
The 18 have met the criteria of the provision of suitable venues, their ability to host up to eight matches at home and play as many away, and have pledged their commitment to ensure drawcard players will compete.
"We've got the festival here each year so we're pretty spoilt with that but to have another big international tournament here will be very cool," says Gaddum, considering the Bay extremely lucky to stage internationals because the Black Sticks women seldom play in the country.
"Hockey is very strong at junior and senior level so it'll be good to watch top level games too."
The eight-team schoolgirl Furnware Cup will have new teams from Auckland Diocesan and Palmerston North Girls' High school.
Gaddum has helped coach Iona College and Woodford House and intends to return to mentoring any Bay school.
That's when Pippa's a little bit older, of course. Maybe later this year.
NZ TEAM
Natasha Fitzsimons (Midlands), Shiloh Gloyn (Midlands), Erin Goad (North Harbour), Samantha Harrison (Auckland), Pippa Hayward (Canterbury), Tessa Jopp (Southern), Rose Keddell (Midlands), Rachel McCann (Canterbury), 4 Olivia Merry (Canterbury), Stacey Michelsen (c, Northland), Brooke Neal (Northland), Grace O'Hanlon (GK, Australia), Kirsten Pearce (North Harbour), Amy Robinson (Midlands), 8 Sally Rutherford (Midlands, GK), Kelsey Smith (Capital), Kim Tanner (Midlands), Liz Thompson (Auckland).
Coach: Mark Hager.
