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 Kitty

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Produced & edited by Corah Gernon at She Talks Productions

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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.

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 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,

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

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
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.