Ireland's Birth Stories

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 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

This week, I share my chat with Paige, who I'm sure many of you will recognise. In this episode, Paige shares the birth of her fourth baby. During her pregnancy, Paige experienced sickness and quickly realised that medication would be necessary this time around. Later, in her third trimester, she noticed reduced fetal movements on a number of occasions. During a routine appointment with her consultant, these concerns were discussed further, and at 37 weeks the decision was made to proceed with an induction. Throughout her induction, Paige was supported by an incredible team of midwives who helped her feel safe, heard, and comfortable every step of the way. Everything was put in place for the epidural Paige had chosen, but once labour progressed and baby was ready to make their way into the world, there was no time for anything else but to let Paige's body work its magic.Thanks so much Paigehttps://open.spotify.com/episode/5xWE8ztPjawTr4TRrIYENw?si=qVzHAM8HTsG3v6WdsfGZFQhttps://open.spotify.com/episode/33jYdgZivoSIhEjqpIGM83?si=985e012c6f324175

This week, I’m sharing my chat with Úna, who talks me through her three very different birth experiences. During her first pregnancy, Úna was closely monitored after her baby was diagnosed with IUGR (intrauterine growth restriction). As concerns grew, she was admitted to hospital for more intensive monitoring, and her baby was born by c-section at just 29 weeks. Úna shares her experience of navigating life with a premature baby in the NICU. We then revisit her second pregnancy and the VBAC she had hoped for. While the birth itself was a positive experience, Úna reflects on how the everything connected with her first experienced surface as she welcomed her second child. Finally, we discuss her third pregnancy and another VBAC. Supported by her husband and midwives who wholeheartedly believed in her, Úna describes a birth experience that left her feeling empowered and supported. Thanks Úna

This week I share my chat with Alana, who talks me through each of her two birth experiences. Alana dedicated a lot of time and effort to preparing for birth, making sure she stayed fit and strong throughout both of her pregnancies. With her first baby, she laboured at home for as long as possible before heading to the hospital, arriving just in time. Her baby was born shortly after, with the support of her husband and the amazing midwives she speaks so fondly of. Alana experienced profound loss with the passing of her much loved father and later mother-in-law in a very short space of time. Throughout this time she discovered she was pregnant with their second baby which leads us to chatting through the juxtaposition of coping with raw grief and the joy of pregnancy. For her second birth, Alana planned a home birth with the support of her midwife. However, late in her pregnancy, she was diagnosed with pre-eclampsia so home birth was no longer an option. As labour began naturally, Alana was keen to avoid an induction and asked the hospital to give her more time. Trusting her instincts, she continued to labour and was able to stay on that path without intervention. She welcomed her baby boy into the world exactly as she had hoped vaginally and without intervention supported once again by the midwives she has nothing but positive things to say about.Thanks so much Alana