In this week's episode I share my chat with Julie who talks me through her two pregnancies and one birth. Julie also shares her level of preparation which thankfully came in handy while giving birth. She also shares how tough it can be in labour in a busy hospital. Her preparation absolutely enabled her to regain focus and also to give her husband the confidence to advocate for her.

Enjoy

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In this weeks episode I share Aimee's story of four pregnancies and three births. Aimee shares a profoundly sad part of her story surrounding the loss of her baby boy after a diagnosis of fatal fetal abnormalities. She share the day, weeks and months following this incredibly tough period of her life. Aimee then goes on to share her most recent birth story which was a beautiful positive Caesarean birth.

Thank you so much Aimee!

Within this link are many supports to help not only you but those around you navigating the loss of a child.

https://pregnancyandinfantloss.ie/support-links/

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In this episode I share my chat with Alice who talks me through part two of her story, the birth of her son. Alice got to the the very familiar stage in her pregnancy where she felt so ready to meet her baby. She went into labour spontaneously but was later induced for reasons which I will let Alice share. After some time the decision was made to bring her son into the world via C-section Alice also chats through her early days as a mother including solo parenting and breastfeeding.

Thank you Alice for sharing your story!

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In the next episode I chat to Orla who talks me through her 4 pregnancies and 3 births. She experienced so much throughout her journey into motherhood. Her first little boy arrived into the world spontaneously at 26 and spent 93 days in hospital before coming home. She suffered a missed miscarriage on her second pregnancy and late miscarriage at 16 weeks on her third pregnancy. Orla chats to me about Liam's birth and those immediate decisions you have to make after the loss of a baby..Throughout her fourth pregnancy she was expectedly nervous but was supported with regular scans by the medical team. She was scheduled for a section and welcomed her little boy into the wod during the pandemic. Despite Covid she speaks of the last few months so fondly..Enjoy!*This week's episode is brought to you by @babysensorykildarecarlow *

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In this episode I chat to Mairead who talks me through her two pregnancies & births. She planned for a homebirth with her first boy but was transferred as her waters had broken past the 24 hour time frame. She opted for an epidural which she mentions was the best decision at the time. It allowed her body to rest and recharge for her boys birth.

We then speak about her second pregnancy, again she opted for a homebirth. I love how Mairead speaks of the day she went into labour and she mentions her "labour project" which is a fantastic idea. Her little boy arrived quickly into the world leaving everyone in shock but Mairead, she felt powerful and elated. This was the birth he wanted!We also chat about motherhood, especially first time round. Filling that role of mother can be daunting, especially when each experience is a first.Enjoy!*This episode is brought to you by @babysensorykildarecarlow voted Best Baby Class in Ireland in the Mums & Tots Awards

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In this episode of AMW I chat to @evarosebirth. What she has created has given me the opportunity to see birth in it's rawest form. The images she captures and shares strike so much emotion in me and I know I'm not alone. Seeing a woman in the height of possibly the most transformative experience of her life is so very special.We all know Eva as the incredible birth photographer she is but she is also working tirelessly to try bring about change in maternity care. I ask Eva where her interest in birth photography originated, we chat about her plans to travel the world and also discuss the differences in our health systems.Enjoy!

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In last week's episode we ended our conversation just after this little man's arrival into the world. How peaceful and gorgeous does he look in this photo!In part two of Alice's story she speaks of the postpartum hemorrhage she suffered soon after she was settled into the ward. Alice was hemorraging for a long period before it was finally recognised and action was taken. She deteriorated quickly and spent sometime in the high dependency unit. So much happened in such a short space of time.Awareness of postpartum blood loss, what's considered normal and what's not is so so important. Please let someone know if you experience any of the below 24 hours after birth. Secondary PPH can occur up to 12 weeks afterbirth although less common.📍You are soaking a pad every 1-2 hours 📍Blood loss suddenly increases📍Blood loss suddenly changes to bright red📍You feel dizzy or weak📍You simply feel you are losing too much bloodAlice also makes a really valid point surrounding PTSD and PND which I know lots of you can relate to. Thank you Alice for sharing & bringing this conversation to the forefront

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With Alice's support I have decided to share her story across two episodes. In part 1 of her story she talks me through her pregnancy during Covid-19, her long labour and the birth of her son.Alice shares so much detail of her experience and I know it will be of such value to many of you. After a long labour it was discovered there was meconium in her waters. She decided to opt for an epidural to give her body time to rest before birthing her baby vaginally.We touch on the first few hours postpartum but I will share her experience with PPH in part 2 as I feel it really needs it own episode.Enjoy!

 

https://www.ahmidwifery.com

- Code BIRTHSTORIES10 to avail of a 10% discount on Aine's hypnobirthing course

 

 

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In this episode of AMW I chat to Tracy Donegan the creator of @gentlebirthofficial. We chat about the origins of her idea that has now developed into a tool used by people worldwide. She chats to me in detail about why she created various aspects of Gentlebirth with a particular focus on brain science.I know so many of you have utilised the Gentlebirth app not only for birth preparation but also through loss and postnatally. Tracy's voice very often puts me to sleep or dilutes the stress of my day while I listen to the Wellness track on repeat. Enjoy!

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In the next episode I chat to Jessica. We spoke when Jessica was 36 weeks pregnant about how she felt, the prep in the lead up to Bonnie's arrival and what her birth preferences were. There was so much excitement in her house with her two little ladies waiting on their sisters arrival. We then spoke a few days after Bonnie came into the world, Jessica was still on such a high. Her waters broke on her due date as per her daughters predictions. She got the epidural she wanted, they decided induction was best and she was also administered antibiotics for GBS. She had such a gorgeous calm birth surrounded by a team of midwives who read her so well."If you don't ask for the birth you want, you get the birth you are given"

 

Enjoy!

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- Story surrounding Infant Loss shared - In this episode Yvonne shares her story of experiencing the loss of her son, Noah at 34 weeks gestation. She received the devastating news that Noah had Edwards Syndrome which is considered a life limiting genetic condition. Yvonne shares details of his birth along with so much more which I'm very grateful for. We then chat about her little girl Ayla who recently celebrated her 2nd birthday. Ayla was diagnosed with both Edwards Syndrome & Down Syndrome after birth. I have followed Yvonne's story for some time and have seen Ayla grow from strength to strength. The early days were incredibly tough but now, she is oozing with personality, sits up unaided, giggles away at her mammy and is very much loved, adored and cherished.Thank you Yvonne for sharing your story, your profound words will stay with me

 

https://feileacain.ie 

 https://www.softireland.com/pregnancy-and-infant-loss-ireland/ 

https://alittlelifetime.ie 

https://pregnancyandinfantloss.ie 

https://lmcsupport.ie 

https://www.nowilaymedowntosleep.org 

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I asked some of our previous guests to share what motherhood means to them

 

Enjoy!

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On this episode of AMW I chat to Sue who talks me through the role of a lactation consultant. Being completely honest I initially thought an IBCLC helped you with a poor latch or could help with tongue tie, little did I know.We discuss how a IBCLC can support you both antenatally and also in the days following babies arrival. The continuity of care and follow-up is what makes this service so special. It's amazing to see many other health professionals qualify as lactation consultants to support their patients. It's most certainly no easy task gaining that qualification. Our chat is from the perspective of a private practitioner but I intend on diving into the services of an IBCLC in a hospital environment in the future. There is such a strong community of passionate people providing support for many of us who run bumps in our feeding journeys.Enjoy!

 

Association  of Lactation Consultants in Ireland - https://www.alcireland.ie

 https://www.lalecheleagueireland.com

https://www.cuidiu.ie

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EP130 - Alice, Pregnancy and Birth Preparation at 38 weeks

In this next episode I share my chat with Alice who I spoke to in April last year as she prepared to give birth to her first baby. Alice was also preparing to enter motherhood as a solo mum with her sister as her birth partner. 

She talks me through coming to terms with the prospect of motherhood as a single person and how she was shown amazing support from the team in the maternity hospital. She also talks about birth preparation, her preferences and how excited she felt at the prospect of giving birth.

This is part one of Alice’s story, we will share her birth story later in the week.

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In this next episode I chat to Rosie and Adam, creators of the @the_irish_mummy podcast. We chat about Rosie's four experiences with pregnancy & birth. Together they share not only intimate details of each birth but we also discuss how mindset can have such a profound impact on your experience.Rosie made a conscious effort to educate herself after her first birth and as a result was so in tune with her body. She understood the environment she needed to help that oxytocin flow and always trusted her instincts. Adam also shares his perspective as a birth partner discussing how and when he could support his wife. It seems the universe created opportunities for them to have a really lovely experience bringing their little boy Ezra into the world."The midwives tied his chord with a piece of string and they asked us to gather round and share our intentions for Ezra. We each shared our intentions including the midwives. It was such a nice moment"Enjoy!

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In this episode I chat to Rosie who talks me through her two pregnancies & births. Rosie utilised the birthing pool in the Coombe and delivered her little boy safely with the support of her midwives and husband. She suffered a hemorrhage so immediately had to leave the pool to be treated. She also had difficulty with her placenta which she goes into. Throughout her second pregnancy she suffered anxiety and had various visits to the maternity hospital to investigate a number of bleeds. Rosie also hoped for a waterbirth second time round but this wasn't signed off due to her previous hemorrhage. She is so open about her journey with motherhood and I truly appreciate her honesty and how much detail she shared.

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In our first episode I chat to a homebirth midwife. Áine tells me why she chose to be a midwife and later why she felt being out in the community was where she needed to be. We chat about why the service needs to be considered from early pregnancy when your care options are being discussed.She shares everything you need to know from initial contact if you are considering homebirth, antenatal appointments, the birth itself and those two weeks of postnatal care. The 2020 stats speak for themselves 94% of service users rated the service as excellent, 99% felt their postnatal care was adequate and supportive and 93% of service users were exclusively breastfeeding within 14 days on discharge. You can find further stats & additional information over at Community Midwives Association

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In the next episode I chat to Leanne who talks me through her pregnancy and the birth of her little boy, James. Leanne planned a homebirth, built a relationship with her midwife and prepared her home but later for reasons which she will go through, it was decided she should birth her baby in hospital.She talks me through her long labour which finally ended with a C-section to bring her boy into the world. It wasn't what she ever envisaged the outcome would be but she had such a positive experience. She was surrounded by a team that enabled her to feel comfortable and most importantly heard.I have to say, her outlook has stayed with me. So calm, positive and an absolute pleasure to chat to 

 

Enjoy!

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In this next episode I chat to Tia who talks me through her pregnancy & the birth of her little girl, Sofia. Tia was diagnosed with a cyst prior to falling pregnant but in the early weeks of conceiving she learned she also had a Subchorionic Hematoma. She left an appointment at 5 weeks feeling as though "This is it, this will be the end of this pregnancy". She was prescribed bed rest for the first three months of her pregnancy and thankfully baby Sofia was just fine. Tia shares such a positive C-section story. She nurtured both her body and mind in preparation for whatever lay ahead in order to avoid disappointment. She has an incredibly positive outlook on life and her story is so uplifting. She pretty much smiles throughout the whole interview, you will hear it. 

 

Enjoy!

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In the next episode I chat to Georgina who talks me through her experience with pregnancy and the birth of her little girl Rua. She had such a group of supportive women surrounding her which is so beautiful. They guided her through her preparation into motherhood and in those weeks following Rua's arrival. George wasn't opposed to having an epidural but in the end she brought her little girl into the world with the aid of her 900 song playlist, a husband who she recalls reminded her of a gym coach "breathe in, out, in, out" and the presence of two midwives who were the perfect pairing.A gorgeous light hearted chat about an experience described as "wild but good" Enjoy!

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In our next episode I chat to Sinead who talks me through her two experiences with birth. Sinead gave birth to her little girl Lily 9 years ago shortly after the sudden loss of her husband, Geoff..Sinead talks us through giving birth with the support of her family and the days following Lily's arrival. Although her medical team were aware she suffered a 4th degree tear it wasn't until later, after a scope that they found the rectovaginal fistula. Essentially, there was a small tear between the rectum and the vagina which caused passing of stool through the vagina. She talks us through her treatment and recovery, which was slow..Sinead is so open in our conversation, again, purely to let others who have suffered through the same diagnosis know they are not alone. .We then touch on Dylan's arrival which although was an emergency C-section, Sinead considered a "walk in the park" in comparison.I have linked Sinead's Instagram account below if you would like to reachout.

 

Sinead Hingston Instagram

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"We have to stop underestimating people!"In the next episode I chat to Julie who talks me through her pregnancy & the birth of her son, Ricky. Julie has cerebral palsy as does her husband David and together embarked on the journey into parenthood with a solid plan in place.She discusses how she commenced her preparation for pregnancy two years prior to concieveing. She focused on being physically strong, creating a strong team around her and also has an exceptional family unit to support them.Julie built a trusting relationship with her obstetrician and with her support, decided to opt for an C-section to bring Ricky into the world. Overall her experience was positive but throughout her story it's starkly obvious there are gaps with regard to women in Ireland giving birth with physical disability.Thanks for sharing your story JulieEnjoy!

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In this episode I chat to Megan who talks me through her three pregnancies & two births. Unfortunately Megan had a miscarriage early on with her first pregnancy. She conceived quickly with her little girl Aylla and she goes into all the details surrounding her pregnancy and birth. She speaks of her experience with PND which I know will resonate with many of you. I asked Megan to share her story on the podcast due to how honest and forthcoming she has been in sharing such a private time of her life. It's imperative to our health and the health of our families that we speak up and ask for help if we don't feel ourselves. Megan then talks me through her third pregnancy and the birth of her son CJ. She discusses her anxieties at the prospect of giving birth during the pandemic and the possibility of being alone throughout labour. During her pregnancy she attended the Coombe for an appointment with a mental health specialist and together they created a plan which would ensure Megan did not suffer as she did after her first birth.Thankfully, her postnatal experience has been very different second time round. Along with Megan's episode, I will link supports on the website which might be of use to you should you need help. Once again, please do not suffer in silence. You will never regret getting help and it's never too late to avail of it.Enjoy!

 

 

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Trigger warning : In this episode we chat about the loss of Pam's little girl Rosie at 18 weeks gestation. Pam goes into details surrounding Rosie's birth which some may find difficult to listen too. I am so grateful to Pam for sharing her story, as loss is still very much unspoken. Thank you Pam ❤️In this episode Pam chats about her 4 pregnancies & 3 Births. During her first experience with birth Pam required an episiotomy to aid with her little man's arrival as he had shoulder dystocia and she was also tearing into her back passage. Thankfully, he entered the world safe, happy & healthy and mum made a smooth physical recovery. She then talks us through her breastfeeding journey and also speaks honestly about her experience with PND.Pam then chats about her experience with miscarriage which as with any loss was difficult. She then chats about her second experience with labour and birth which was very different. Her little man made a swift arrival once they reached the hospital. Pam talks us through her pregnancy with little Rosie. She talks openly about discovering her heart had stopped beating at 18 weeks and the days following. A very emotional story shared by a brave woman for the sake of others 

 

 

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In this weeks episode I share my chat with Rosie who talks me through her two pregnancies and births. Rosie had two beautiful, positive experiences, one in hospital and one at home supported by her husband and her midwife.

She also shared a tough couple of weeks following the birth of her first baby highlighting the importance of visiting a 

women’s health physio.

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In the last EP of 2021 I chat to Jen (@irishmamabuys ) about her pregnancy & the birth of her son Ben. Jen welcomed her niece into her life when she was 18 months old so Ben was very lucky to have his sister waiting for him when he arrived home.Jen discovered she was pregnant at nearly 3 months, although it was a shock they welcomed the lovely surprise. She was living in Spain at the time but decided to move home during her third trimester. Jens estimated due date came and went and she was later induced. Little Ben was showing signs of distress after a very long labour with little dilation so the decision was made to opt for a C-section. Jen was completely comfortable with this decision, all she wanted was her baby to be safe.She then very open and honestly talks us through her recovery and breastfeeding post op. Enjoy!

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In this week's episode I chat to Nicole who talks e through her two pregnancies & births. Nicole's first little girl was delivered via C-section after she was lying breech transverse and remained pretty comfortable where she was. Nicole suffers from low platelets therefore attempting to move her little lady in utero wasn't an option due to the risk of hemorrhage. We then chat about Nicole's second pregnancy where she continued to feel great, if anything just a little slower. She requested a full blood check in her third trimester with the results leading to an emergency section. Her medical team suspected HELLP syndrome hence the reason they acted so promptly.I will let her tell you all the details of her story aswell as her experience of bringing a newborn into the world during the height of lockdown.

 

Enjoy!

 

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In this week's bonus episode I chat to Stephanie who talks me through her journey to motherhood. Stephanie suffered a miscarriage with her first pregnancy which she admits, hit her like a tonne of bricks. Thankfully, she was quick to conceive again. Stephanie suffered from SPD from the 17/18 weeks mark and attended a physio to help her manage the pain. She is actually a physio by professional so I love that despite knowing all the tips & tricks to help alleviate her discomfort she still took the time to look after her body.She had a planned homebirth with the help of the HSE Community Midwives and the wonderful @midwife_aineassisted in bringing her little lady into the world.An episode which will be so relatable for those who have recently given birth.

 

Avail of a 15% discount off Fidelma Gentlebirth Workshop through

The Gentle Mamas Enjoy!

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In the next episode I continue my chat with Lorraine. She shares some really beautiful & intimate moments from finding out she was pregnant, sharing her news with her family and how she felt in those early weeks.She talks us through her pregnancy and we discuss how isolating it was for her being pregnant through Covid.Lorraine was induced but little Jack was particularly comfortable. The decision was made to bring Jack into the world via C-section which, as you can see from the gorgeous pictures, was a very positive experience."Feel the fear and do it anyway" 

 

Enjoy!

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I decided to share Lorraine's story across two episodes. What brought her into motherhood is an incredible journey and I feel privileged that she shared every detail. In this episode she chats to me about her decision to enter motherhood on her own, her journey with SIMS clinic and so much more. 

Lorraine always wanted to be a mother and on her return from living in the states she felt it was time to begin her incredible journey. Holding her niece, feeling that connection and surge of love was a factor in solidifying her decision. She also started her Reiki training which enabled her to discover that, of course, she was absolutely capable and also ready to become a mother, on her own!

She talks us through how she selected the sperm donor, IUI attempts and also her IVF treatment. I love how she kept her journey so close to her heart. She told very of her plans and shares the moment she told her parents her plans, just gorgeous!

So much more in our conversation that I'm so looking forward to sharing with you

 

Enjoy!

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In the next episode I chat to Emma who talks me through her two pregnancies & births. Emma found it difficult to conceive on her first pregnancy and through investigation discovered she had a septum in her womb. After surgery to remove the septum Emma and her husband were delighted to discover she conceived three months later..Emma then talks us through her labour and birth. She was induced with Harry and later required assistance with his birth which I will let Emma tell you all about..On her second pregnancy Emma was focused on avoiding intervention but unfortunately that wasn't meant to be. Her little boy, Teddy was delivered with the aid of forceps..Emma's honesty, not just about the births of her boys but also life in-between, is exactly why I created the podcast..Enjoy!

 

Irelands Birth Stories Website

 

 

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In this week's episode I chat to Lisa about her three pregnancies and births. Lisa's first little boy was born in hospital and she chose to opt for an epidural, followed by a very quick birth. She talks us through postpartum life first time round and the changes she made with her two subsequent pregnancies. She referred to the grove in her couch where she sat and fed her second little boy without any interruptions or feeling obliged to fulfill any other needs bar those of her babies. A contrast to her first experience.She then talks us through her second pregnancy and birth. She opted for an epidural with her second little boy but describes how she was much further along than anyone was aware of and baby arrived swiftly.Lisa decided to go down the homebirth route with her third pregnancy. She chose @laura_todeliveryandbeyond as her midwife through @privatemidwivesireland and they shared a beautiful experience. Lisa admits she was nervous approaching her consultant about her choice to have her baby at home. Lisa works as an ER doctor and yes, she did she some puzzled faces from her colleagues but as Lisa rightly puts it, when they are called it's usually in an emergency so that is all they see.I love how she describes Féiles birth. Laughing, relaxing, enjoying and birthing her baby at home. So beautiful!Enjoy!

www.irelandsbirthstories.ie

 

 

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In this episode I chat to Kat who holds a very special place in my hearts, she was the photographer at our wedding. We clicked and will always be in touch. She chats to me about her two pregnancies & births. Her first experience with birth was tough and with that followed a difficult life post baby as a first time mother. Kat is so honest and open which I appreciate. Her husband also shares his perspective and tells us what he saw in Kat that triggered him to suggest she needed help.Life after her second daughter, Juno was in complete contrast to her first. She was confident with her decisions as a mother and took Juno's lead. Her experiences are night & dayEnjoy 

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In this week's episode I chat to Catherine who talks me through her experiences with pregnancy & birth. Catherine has three very different births. On her first pregnancy, second stage of labour was so quick with her little man entering the world swiftly. She talks us through a rough few weeks of breastfeeding and the support she availed of to help her alleviate the constant discomfort..She had a C-section with her second pregnancy due to the presence of meconium in her waters and also inconsistencies with babies readings..Throughout her third pregnancy she was crippled with SPD and unfortunately needed the support of crutches in the latter stages of her final trimester. She was determined to avoid another section and wanted her VBAC but her little lady was a bit of a trapeze artist and was presenting breech. Her section date was set but Molly gave her mum what she wanted in the end..Despite restrictions in the hospital Catherine said her experience was "just perfect!" ❤️.An episode heaving with useful info for expecting women.Enjoy

 

 

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In this weeksepisode I chat to Ariana who talks me through her two pregnancies and births. Ariana is the founder of @wellfedphotography and is in the process of creating a book surrounding breastfeeding. She has spoken to 120 women about their journeys and being a photographer, has ensured to capture beautiful images of those who will feature their stories. We agreed that we feel very privileged to not only listen to so many stories but also see very special pictures that were taken at such an intimate time in someone's life.Although Ariana had two C-sections to bring her babies into the world, they were starkly different. Her first experience was not what she had hoped for which was definitely the catalyst for how she prepared and dealt with her subsequent pregnancy and birth. She worked hard both physically and mentally to enable her body to not only remain strong throughout her second pregnancy but also recover after her labour and birth. Putting in the work paid dividends, she felt completely different and she was back on her feet, enjoying her passion for photography at 8 weeks postpartum. Enjoy!

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In this weeks episode I share may chat with Danielle who talks me through her twin pregnancy, pre-eclampsia, c-section and VBAC. Danielle was admitted to hospital at 30 weeks due to pre-eclampsia, her girls were brought into the world at 34 weeks. Her girls spent some time in special care before going home around 36 weeks. Danielle then goes on to chat about her second pregnancy. She opted for an elective section but things turned out very different. She had an incredible VBAC which was completely unplanned. I love this story!

Enjoy!

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In this week's episode I chat to Clare who talks me through her 3 pregnancies & births. Clare decided to opt for MLU with her hospital on her first pregnancy but was transferred up to the consultant unit as her little babies heart rate wasn't recovering after her contractions. She talks us through the details of her first birth. .She then talks us through her second pregnancy & birth which she considers to be a healing experience. She had a very quick 2nd stage of labour with her little boy and that trend continued onto her 3rd experience. She also asked the midwives to use the Hobbs line (purple line) as an indication of dilation rather than a vaginal examination. .She then goes into her 3rd pregnancy which was during the Covid-19 outbreak so she unfortunately had to attend some of appointment's alone. She later opted for a homebirth for various reasons which I will let her go into but unfortunately this was not to be. Clare had to be induced to bring her little lady into the world. Despite this change of plan, she had a gorgeous birth experience and speaks so fondly of the arrival of her little girl. Enjoy! "Plug your Passion" Saolú - Gentlebirth with Aisling details linked on the website

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In this week's episode I chat to Laura who talks me through her two pregnancies and births. Laura and her husband started investigating their fertility after trying to conceive for a number of months. After deciding to opt out of the fertility clinic route Laura fell pregnant spontaneously. She enjoyed her first pregnancy and decided to go down the homebirth route for no other reason bar she felt it was a very natural decision. Laura's first and second pregnancy were poles apart. She really struggled with sickness and managing life pregnant with a toddler. She opted for the homebirth route once again, this time with HSE Community Midwives. Her experience was just gorgeous and I love how she tells her story.We also touch on life with a newborn & toddler in the height of lockdown. I could resonate with so much of what Laura said "constant flight or fright"!I loved her honesty, the detail, our chat and the beautiful pictures of her girls!Enjoy!

 

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In this episode I chat to Ivana who talks me through her pregnancy & the birth of her son. Ivana was in the care of the hospital for much of her pregnancy but decided much later to opt for a homebirth. She previously had surgery to remove part of her cervix but thankfully, all was well at the time of her pregnancy and her cervix had actually lengthened.Ivana's midwife made the decision to transfer her to hospital which she goes into in our chat. Her midwife stayed with her in the hospital for support and she still received her two weeks postnatal care which is what I love about the service. She remained so calm and was incredibly accepting of each and every decision made for her. I loved her mindset, she considers everything as temporary and there was no sign of panic or loss of control.

Enjoy

 

"Plug Your Passion"

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In this episode I chat with Lucianne  about the birth of her two little girls, Daisey & Poppy. Lucianne chose the Domino Scheme with her first pregnancy as she felt they supported her decision and interest in having a natural birth. She has nothing but positive things to say about the service and the women who helped her birth her little girl. She tells me how incredible she felt after giving birth but also, shocked. I will let her tell you why!Lucianne decided to have her second baby at home with the support of @privatemidwivesireland. She speaks so fondly of her midwife and enjoyed the relationship they built up from their first visit at 24 weeks. A gorgeous story told by a women who just oozes a passion for pregnancy, birth and postpartum recovery. She has recently qualified as a postpartum doula to support families in the days and weeks after baby has arrived. She is also a nutritionist which I thought was the perfect combination Enjoy!

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In this episode I chat to Jessica, we actually discovered we live within walking distance of one another which was lovely. Jessica chats me through her pregnancy & the birth of her son, Louie. She originally from Australia, as you will hear from her gorgeous accent and married an Irish man making the permanent move to Ireland in 2017.  She attended hypnobirthing with @brenda_communitymidwife and found it to be so beneficial, arming her with the knowledge to make decisions she was comfortable with.  She had a back to back labour which was tough and she opted for an epidural which gave her the relief she was looking for allowing her to settle into birth after a really long and intense labour.  She then chats to me about her breastfeeding journey and how vital support to help and encourage you throughout tough times. Loved chatting to Jessica and I'm looking forward to our coffee date which may be in a field at a distance but so be it. Jessica has also recently created a podcast with her sister called The Hood which I have linked below for you. The Hood Podcast Enjoy!  

 

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In this weeks episode I chat to Siobhán who talks me through her experience with pregnancy and birth. She shared many up and downs including a diagnosis of HELLP syndrome, an emergency C-section, isolation and an a tough post partum journey. Siobhán also chats about her experience with miscarriage so openly which I know so many of you will relate to.We then dive into her third pregnancy which she struggled with, a contrast to her first. She really endured so much which you will hear throughout the podcast. A story well told, raw honesty and the detail we all need to hear  Enjoy!HDX4GwRjpFWtwCSL77LH Episode sponsored by Discovery Playtime www.discoveryplaytime.ie  avail of 10% discount with code BIRTHSTORIES

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In this episode I chat to Maria who talks through her two pregnancies and births. Maria enjoyed both pregnancies but suffered with cholestasis through her first pregnancy which meant she needed close monitoring. Her first birth wasn't necessarily what she had hoped for. Despite being disappointed that she had an induction and epidural she found found her outlook on birth was a lot more balanced.

 

Her second little boy made a very swift arrival en-route to the hospital. She describes her experiences and then mentions that she remembers hearing the sound of the rain hitting the car roof....I love that!

 

Being a Birth Trauma Resolution Practitioner, Maria has provided alot of support to women and shares her views on why we now need experts in this field.

 

Enjoy!

 

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*Trigger warning* This episode contains sensitive content surrounding loss which may not be suitable for you at this time.In this episode I speak to Sarah-Jane who chats to me about her journey with pregnancy, birth and unfortunately loss. During a routine scan Sarah-Jane and her husband received the devastating news that their little boy was incompatible with life. She brings us through how they navigated life throughout the weeks following Luke's diagnosis. Sarah-Jane also highlights that being open with their circumstances to friends, family & even colleagues helped create a beautiful support system..After much heartache, Sarah-Jane and her husband recently welcomed their beautiful little lady, Frankie.."We couldn't love her any more" 

 

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In this episode I chat to Ellen and she talks me through the birth of her little boy & girl. Ellen had a particularly long labour with her first baby leading her to believe her little girl would follow suit. This wasn't the case. Olivia made her way into the world very quickly. Ellen laboured in the water with her first birth and recalls how it aided her to relax along with the support of her amazing midwives. Ellen is now a Gentle Birth instructor after finding her passion in all things pregnancy & birth. Her honesty when she speaks of life as a young mother is eye opening.Enjoy!

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In this episode I chat to Jen about her three pregnancies & births. Jen decided to employ a doula on her first pregnancy and she proved to be an amazing support. She helped prepare them for the birth and held their space within the hospital allowing Jen to have that much needed quiet time to really tap into her final stages of labour. She was such an anchor throughout and importantly helped Jen & Mark process the birth which wasn't what they had expected or hoped for. She then chats to us about Juno's birth which was a swift to say the least. Juno was born on the M50 but I will say no more and let Jen tell you all the gorgeous details  Her third birth was a homebirth, something, Jen has desired from the start of her pregnancy journey with her first baby. A few bumps in the road in her final weeks may have made it difficult to settle into a HB state of mind but the day of Bills birth was a gorgeous affair. I played it back multiple times. As with all of the stories I hear, I had goosebumps and a smile on my face listening back to Jen's story. I know you will too! Enjoy!

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EP127 - Ruth, One Pregnancy & Birth, Birth Preparation, Induction, Breastfeeding

In this weeks episode I share my chat with Ruth who talks me through her one pregnancy and the birth of her daughter. Ruth discovered she was pregnant while living in Japan, moved to the UK and later back home to Ireland when she was 22 weeks pregnant. A busy time!

She invested lots of time preparing for birth from attending pregnancy yoga, antenatal classes and also hypnobirthing which played a huge roll on the day of her daughters birth. 

She also shares more on her experience with breastfeeding at the end of the podcast which I think is important to hear.

Thanks Ruth!

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In this episode I chat to Michelle and she talks me through her five pregnancies & births. Her first three babies were born in the US.  She was pregnant at 16 with her first baby and very much felt unsupported in the hospital environment. She went on to have a free birth with her third child after an unwanted experience in the hospital with her second pregnancy.  Michelle was supported by her close friend (doula - midwife in study) in the hours after her baby arrived. Michelle & her husband welcomed their fourth & fifth babies in their home, here in Ireland with the support of @privatemidwivesireland. She recalls two amazing births and shares some curve balls too aka birthpool trouble! So many gorgeous moments in this episode demonstrating how different each of our births can be. *Important to note that Michelle does touch on  a personal experience of a sensitive nature when discussing her second pregnancy* Enjoy!

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In this episode I chat to Tracey and she talks me through her two pregnancies and births. Tracey's first labour and birth was not what she expected and unfortunately she had a tough experience. The birth of her son Billy was aided with interventions which led to an extended stay in the hospital. .She availed of the birth reflection service which is offered by maternity hospitals as a means of understanding your birth. Tracey gives us an insight to the service and also what she & her husband gained from it..She then talks me through her second pregnancy and the swift birth of her daughter Willow. Traceys description of her daughter's birth had me in tears, not only from laughter but also because I could hear each emotion in her voice and also the absolute pride she still feels of her unplanned homebirth. Enjoy! 

 

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In this episode I chat to Michelle who talks me through her two pregnancies & births. Michelle is mum to three kids as she found out she was expecting twins on her second pregnancy. She chats to me about her first pregnancy and how she felt throughout her postpartum weeks & months. She then chats about the moment they received the news they were expecting twins and describes her immediate feelings. The level of care she received throughout her pregnancy was second to non with a huge amount of support and preparation provided by the hospital. Michelle opted to have a vaginal delivery with the twins and describes some beautiful details which naturally occur to allow baby number 2 to make their way down and ready for birth. She speaks very openly about coping in those early days and how she, her mum & husband pulled together to lighten the load. The dream team!

 

A gorgeous interview filled with lots of laughs aswell as touching descriptions of the reality of life!

 

Enjoy!

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