Ireland's Birth Stories

I share with you a decision to share episode 1-100 exclusively over on Patreon. Link to Patreon Thanks for your support

This week I share my chat with Leah who revisits her pregnancy and the birth of her daughter. Leah discovered she was pregnant shortly after a move to New Zealand. Together Leah and her partner decided being closer to home was the best choice for them when raising a family. The made their way back to Ireland and immediately got in touch with a home birth midwife. Leah chats through labour which she found tough in parts and the moment she met her baby. She felt that immediate high and recalls saying "I need to do that again" moments after she gave birth. A gorgeous positive birth story.Thanks Leah

This week, I share my chat with Susan, who talks me through the birth of her son. Susan enjoyed her pregnancy but found the last few weeks waiting for baby to arrive really tough. She was ready to meet her baby, but each day that came and went felt so long. She shares just how tough she found waiting for signs of labour and for her baby to come into the world.Susan went into labour spontaneously, which led to great excitement, and she made her way to the hospital with all the bits and pieces in tow, ready to give birth . However, her experience in the hospital was difficult. The unit was busy and she felt overwhelmed for a number of reasons. The decision was made to bring her son into the world via caesarean section, which at the time felt like the right choice, but Susan shared that she experienced a sense of “failure.”We then talk through her breastfeeding journey, which lasted 16 months. Susan told me, “I didn’t know breastfeeding was so important to me until I started.” which was so nice to hear. Through breastfeeding, she found healing from her birth experience and also created a whole new world of friendships.Thanks Susan

This week, I share my chat with Lyndsey, who talks through each of her pregnancy and birth experiences. With the support of fertility treatment, Lyndsey became pregnant with twins, she was over the moon. Throughout her pregnancy, one of the twins was measuring small, so she was closely monitored.Lyndsey shares the story of the twins’ birth by caesarean section, along with everything that followed including her interactions with various healthcare professionals, her daughter’s NICU stay, and much more. At three months old Lauren, Lyndsey daughter, was diagnosed with Williams Syndrome. After an incredibly tough start to parenthood, Lynsdey and her partner Niall finally got some answers.We then chat about her second pregnancy and the birth of their third child. Lynsdey was admitted to hospital with preeclampsia but she determined to have a VBAC. She was supported in her decision as much as possible given the circumstances, and she ultimately achieved the VBAC she very much wanted. We also touch on Lyndsey very recent experience with a Chemical pregnancy. Thanks so much Lynsey

This week, I share my chat with Nancy, who shares each of her experiences through pregnancy, loss, and motherhood. Nancy suffered two early pregnancy losses, including a missed miscarriage and a chemical pregnancy. Her first birth brought her daughter into the world by c-section. Shortly after her daughter’s arrival, Nancy and her partner, Niall, were told that their baby had Down syndrome. She reflects on how they navigated this diagnosis. In the months that followed, their lives changed dramatically when their daughter was diagnosed with Leukemia following a routine blood test. This devastating news obviously completely changed how life looked ensuring their daughter underwent regular intensive treatment. Nancy, unknown to her at time was carrying her daughters sibling. This news came as a shock, given the circumstances, yet she continued to navigate her pregnancy alongside the challenges of her daughter’s illness. Nancy was determined to have a VBAC second time round which is exactly how her son was born. Today, her family are thriving and healthy.Thanks Nancy

This week, I share my chat with Julia, who lives in Austria .Julia talks us through four pregnancies, each very different experiences.She begins by sharing on the birth of her first daughter, which took place in a hospital via caesarean section. Julia describes feeling unheard and unsupported throughout the process, noting that it was not the birth experience she had hoped for. This experience influenced her decisions in her subsequent pregnancy, where she felt strongly that a home birth was the right choice for her. She was able to find a supportive midwife and consultant who encouraged her plan for a vaginal birth after caesarean (VBAC).However, at her 20-week routine scan, Julia was given the devastating news that her baby’s heartbeat had stopped. She shares the emotional impact of this moment and the difficult decisions that followed. Julia chose to give birth to her son at home, supported by her midwife and doula, describing the experience as one surrounded by care, compassion, and love.Julia then speaks about her third pregnancy and the the birth of her second daughter at home. Once again, she was supported by midwives and other women, creating a nurturing and empowering birth environment.Most recently, Julia experienced an ectopic pregnancy. She reflects on this experience with honesty, sharing how she is feeling in the immediate aftermath and the emotional impact of facing another unexpected loss.Thanks so much Julia