Ireland's Birth Stories

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
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E: irelandsbirthstories@gmail.com
IG: Irelands Stories Birth Podcast IG

Produced & edited by Corah Gernon at She Talks Productions

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This week, I share my chat with Shauna who talks me through each of her birth stories. Shauna absolutely loved being pregnant and really thrived in the lead-up to welcoming her first baby. At 42 weeks pregnant, she was induced, and what followed were two long and intense days of labour.
Shauna credits hypnobirthing with helping her stay grounded and focused throughout the experience. At 42 weeks + 2 days, she welcomed her little boy and felt incredibly proud to have achieved the birth she wanted, without the epidural she knew she didn’t want.
Then, at six months postpartum, Shauna discovered she was pregnant again. This time around, she hoped for a homebirth, but unfortunately it wasn’t signed off, meaning she had to come to terms with birthing in hospital once more. When it was least expected, Shauna went into spontaneous labour and welcomed her second little boy in a beautiful, calm birth, surrounded by her husband and supportive midwives.
Thanks Shauna
Get in touch
E: irelandsbirthstories@gmail.com
IG: Irelands Stories Birth Podcast IG

Produced & edited by Corah Gernon at She Talks Productions

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Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, I’m sharing my chat with Sarah as she talks through each of her three birth experiences. After spending a year trying to conceive, Sarah discovered she was pregnant just before making the final decision to move forward with fertility treatment.She reflects on the birth of her first daughter, a birth she still looks back on fondly, despite some difficult moments surrounding intervention and an unwanted episiotomy. We also chat through her two subsequent births, both of which were positive vaginal birth experiences.Sarah shares how powerful hypnobirthing was for her throughout second but mostly third pregnancies, and even more so with the birth of her third baby. There’s also a moment in her story where she felt strongly that she needed to say “no,” highlighting the importance of self-advocacy and trusting your instincts when something doesn’t feel necessary.

Thanks so much, Sarah
Get in touch
E: irelandsbirthstories@gmail.com
IG: Irelands Stories Birth Podcast IG

Produced & edited by Corah Gernon at She Talks Productions

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Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week I share my chat with Gráinne who talks me through her three positive hospital births. Gráinne gave birth to her first baby in hospital which was a positive experience once she got settled into the delivery suite. Following her first experience she decided to opt for home birth with her second baby. Although she didn't end up giving birth to her baby at home she did have the continued support of her amazing home birth midwife. When Gráinne discovered she was pregnant with her third baby, she again opted for home birth but her son was born in hospital. Her little man came into the world in the birth pool with Gráinne surround by so much love and support. She shares having mastitis seven times after her first baby came into the world. Gráinne also touches on her experience with profound grief after losing both of her parents in the space of 10 months.

To hear Gráinne tell me "I felt like a queen" brought me so much joy.

Enjoy and thank you Gráinne
Get in touch
E: irelandsbirthstories@gmail.com
IG: Irelands Stories Birth Podcast IG

Produced & edited by Corah Gernon at She Talks Productions

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Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, I share my chat with Stephanie, who talks me through each of her three positive hospital births. Stephanie first shares her TTC journey and everything that surrounded it, from visiting multiple HCPs for advice and support to reading a book recommended to her that changed everything.
After welcoming her first baby, Stephanie experienced multiple pregnancy losses, which we discuss in detail. With further support, Stephanie went on to give birth to two gorgeous babies again in a hospital setting.
As we get ready to wrap up our chat, Stephanie shares some exciting news with me, she is expecting her fourth baby in a matter of weeks.

Thanks Stephanie.
Get in touch
E: irelandsbirthstories@gmail.com
IG: Irelands Stories Birth Podcast IG

Produced & edited by Corah Gernon at She Talks Productions

Show Your Support
Buy Me A Coffee
Patreon
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.