Ireland's Birth Stories

This week I share my chat with Lorna who shares each of her two birth stories. Lorna also brings us through trying to conceive (TTC) and seeing her first positive pregnancy test after so many investigations. We then talk through her pregnancy, care and the various interactions she had with health care professionals. At 40+ weeks Lorna did go into labour herself but the decision was made to bring her bay into the world through a c-section. Her little man greeted his parents with a huge roar giving his mam and dad the relief they needed. We then move onto her second pregnancy, a very different experience TTC from her first. This time Lorna decided she would opt for a VBAC at home with the support of PMI (Private Midwives Ireland) and her doula. There is so much in Lornas story for you to hear. Thanks Lorna You can find Lorna on IG hereBooking Platform

This week I share my chat with Siofra who shares each of her two birth stories. Siofra was breech born vaginally at 33 weeks and spent some time in the NICU. She then talks me through her second pregnancy and the relief she felt as she got past the 33 week mark to full term. Siofra went into labour spontaneously and did want an epidural but her baby was very much on her way so there was no time to administer it. When Lucy, Siofra's daughter was born her husband could sense a change in the room. It was discovered that Lucy had a cleft pallet. Later after further investigation Lucy was diagnosed with Pierre Robin Sequence at only a few days old. A tough road lay ahead as Siofra felt unheard throughout the weeks that followed. Finally at four weeks old a PHN listened which finally helped provide the care and services Lucy needed. Siofra also shares her experience with PPD which is such a tough listen, thankfully she is in a much better place now. Thanks SiofraBooking Platform

This week, I share my chat with Lucy, who talks me through her two very different birth stories. Lucy’s first baby, her son, was born at 32 weeks via emergency C-section. After three weeks in NICU, he was finally discharged, and Lucy and her husband walked out of the hospital for the first time together as a family of three.When they decided the time was right to start trying for their second baby, this time TTC looked very different. After three pregnancy losses and IVF treatment that didn’t give them the results they had hoped for, they were left wondering what options remained. Lucy has a didelphic uterus, she has two uteruses, two cervix and two vaginas. Following further investigations, Lucy opted to undergo treatment in her left uterus, while her son had been conceived in her right uterus. Not only did Lucy see a positive pregnancy test but 9 months later she gave birth to her daughter. This time, Lucy’s C-section experience was completely different from her first. There was no emergency and, instead, everything felt calm, controlled and positive.Thank you so much LucyBooking Platform - Click Here

This week I share my chat with Kitty, who talks me through her first pregnancy and the birth of her daughter. Kitty shares how she felt seeing a positive pregnancy test when starting a family wasn't part of her immediate plan. After taking time to process the news and sharing it with her loved ones, her mindset began to shift and started preparing for birth.She revisits going into labour spontaneously and reflects on her experience of having an epidural that wasn't as effective as she had hoped. Shortly after welcoming her daughter into the world, Kitty experienced a postpartum haemorrhage (PPH). Although she lost a lot of blood, she didn't receive a blood transfusion as her blood levels were just above the threshold required for one.Kitty is in a great place now, but she shares how the postpartum haemorrhage and the care she received afterwards weren't what she had hoped for. Thank you KittyWant to share your Birth Story on the podcast or avail of the Private My Birth package?Click Here

This week I share my chat with Aoife. She talks me through her diagnosis of endometriosis in her 20s and the concerns she had about the impact it might have on trying to conceive. Thankfully, she conceived without delay and shares the story of her first pregnancy and the birth of her daughter. Aoife was induced just shy of 42 weeks and fully expected a long labour. Much to her surprise, her daughter arrived the very same day. We also talk about the transition to motherhood without the physical presence of her mum, who sadly passed away a short time before Aoife got married. It's an incredibly moving part of her story that I know many of you will, sadly, relate to. We then revisit the birth of her second baby, her son. This time, Aoife was really hoping to go into labour spontaneously, and after a couple of tiring days of contractions starting and stopping, that's exactly what happened. Just like his big sister, her son made a speedy arrival, with Aoife going from 2 cm to fully dilated in a remarkably short space of time. I absolutely loved listening to Aoife share her journey with such honesty and warmth, and I know you will too.

This week I share my chat with Róisin, who talks me through her pregnancy and the birth of her son. Throughout her pregnancy, Róisin was told she had a low-lying placenta, but the hope was that it would move as her pregnancy progressed. However, at 31 weeks, she suffered a severe haemorrhage and was admitted to hospital. Things changed suddenly, and the decision was made to bring her baby into the world immediately via an emergency caesarean section.Her son was born and taken straight to the NICU, where Róisin and her husband began an unexpected journey through early parenthood. She shares what life was like recovering from major surgery while navigating the emotional challenges of having a baby in special care. Together, they also faced some incredibly difficult conversations with the team of consultants overseeing their son's care.Today, Róisin, her husband, and their little boy are a gorgeous, happy, healthy family of three. Thank you so much,

This week I share my chat with Chiara, who talks me through her four pregnancies and three home births. Chiara experienced an early pregnancy loss with her first pregnancy, which was incredibly difficult but ultimately strengthened her decision to start a family. Chiara chose to give birth to each of her babies at home, supported by two midwives and a doula. As a midwife herself, she understands just how powerful birth can be when you're surrounded by the right support. Throughout each of her births, she felt loved, held, and deeply supported not only physically, but emotionally and within the space she created to welcome her babies.Her third birth challenged her in ways she hadn't expected. She dug deep, leaned into the support of the women around her, and worked through an incredibly intense transition. We also chat about the transition into motherhood and everything that comes that. Thanks so much Chiara

This week, I share my chat with Laura, who talks me through the birth of her daughter, Saoirse. Laura is so honest at the beginning of our conversation, sharing how she felt when she saw the positive pregnancy test. Her pregnancy was unplanned, which brought a huge shock and a mix of emotions. She changed her mindset and started putting a lot of time into educating herself and preparing for the months ahead.Laura opted for a home birth, but after it was discovered that she had a fibroid, the decision was made at 38 weeks' gestation that she would give birth in a Midwife-Led Unit (MLU). Looking back, she tells us she is happy with her decision. The level of support she received from the midwives was just incredible not only throughout labour, but also during her antenatal care and in the days following her discharge. We also talk about breastfeeding and her transition to motherhood.Thanks so much Laura

This week, I share my chat with Silvija. Together with her wife, she went through a long journey to bring their baby girl into the world. After nine fertility treatments and four pregnancy losses, they finally saw that positive pregnancy test with no fading lines.Silvija shares everything about their fertility experiences, including the decision to try double reciprocal IVF. We talk through her pregnancy and the anxiety that came with it as a result of her previous experiences. She also shares the story of her baby girl being brought into the world via an emergency C-section. Silvija also shares the medical emergency that followed as her own body reacted while she was being prepped for surgery. Now, they are happy, healthy family of three. Thanks so much Silvija