Episodes
Sunday Jun 19, 2022
Sunday Jun 19, 2022
In this next episode I share my chat with Stephanie who talks me through the birth of her little girl Morgan. I previously spoke to Steph in EP37,
she had a planned homebirth and welcomed her first girl Ada with the support of @midwife_aine who was also present for her most recent birth.
Stephs pregnancy was pretty uneventful until the 30 week mark. She caught Covid. She was admitted to hospital for one week due to an unstable lie. She was blighted with severe pelvic girdle pain and she was diagnosed with polyhdramnios (waters measured fine in last scan).
Thankfully all worked out in the end and she birth her little girl at home as planned. She was supported once again by her husband, her midwives and @globebabydoula who she speaks so highly of.
https://www.kiwico.com/panda - Code IREBIRTH to avail of 30% off your first order
Support the podcast
Monday Jun 13, 2022
Monday Jun 13, 2022
This week I share my chat with Jess who talks me through the birth of her three girls. I have to say, Jess bared all and shared so much of her journey over the past 8 years. At the age of 20 she discovered she was pregnant with her first little girl who was born via caesarean birth and later diagnosed with a rare genetic disorder. She talks me through those first few weeks of Georgias life who is now a happy, healthy 8 year old. In the podcast show notes I have linked a Facebook page Jess created to shared Georgias story, again a very honest account of their life and some gorgeous pictures too.
Jess shares so much more, two birth stories, both vaginal and one unmedicated. She chats about early pregnancy loss, her struggle with accepting an unplanned pregnancy and also gender disappointment.
https://www.kiwico.com/panda - Code IREBIRTH to avail of 30% off your first order
Support the podcast
Sunday Jun 05, 2022
Jan 2022 - Jo &Katie, IVF, Induction, Unmedicated Birth
Sunday Jun 05, 2022
Sunday Jun 05, 2022
There is no new episode but I’m re-releasing EP92 as a nod to Pride month. This conversation is so important, it highlights what’s possible, a family for same sex couples. I just sat back and enjoyed watching Katie & Jo reminisce over the birth over their son, Sonny.
They were supported by their doula @pamjdpilates and really invested in birth preparation. They share some truly beautiful moments. Our conversation didn’t end there but in time Jo and I will continue our chat which we will no doubt share with you all.
I listen to so many different podcasts, I always listen to each episode more than once as I hear something new each time. I think you should do just that with EP92 @joga.yoga_ @katieverbo
https://www.kiwico.com/panda - Code IREBIRTH to avail of 30% off your first order
Support the podcast
Sunday May 29, 2022
Sunday May 29, 2022
In this weeks episode I share my chat with Jennifer who talks me through her one pregnancy and the birth of her son Jimmy. Jen was induced at 37 weeks as they suspected her son was measuring small. Jena water were artificially broken by a midwife, it was then discovered she has chord prolapses. Within moments Jen was on all fours being whisked to theatre for an emergency caesarean birth. Jen woke up soon after feeling her stomach and realising quickly her boy was born. It all happened so quickly, far too quick to process.
Jen and her son spent some time in hospital recovering but thankfully both made a full recovery. Jen shares so much more in her story from leaving the hospital without her baby for the first time to processing her experience.
Jen recently qualified as a hypnobirthing instructor and is about to embark on her teaching journey. Thanks @dublin_does_hypnobirthing for sharing your story
https://www.kiwico.com/panda - Code IREBIRTH to avail of 30% off your first order
Support the podcast
Sunday May 22, 2022
Sunday May 22, 2022
In this weeks episode I share my chat with Aisling (@mellow_mindfulness) who talks me through her one pregnancy and the birth of her daughter Olivia. Within this episode you will hear such amazing examples of midwife care. One midwife in particular stood out, she ensured Aisling was cared for when she wasn’t receiving the attention she needed.
Olivia’s birth was such a positive experience and as a someone who meditates Aisling definitely tapped into hypnobirthing tools to help her through labour.
Something this amazing midwife did has stayed with me. She knew Aisling is close to her mother who lives in Ireland and couldn’t be present due to Covid. The midwife lifted up her mask momentarily, hugged Aisling and said “This is from your mother!” Goosebumps even writing this.
https://www.kiwico.com/panda - Code IREBIRTH to avail of 30% off your first order
Support the podcast
Sunday May 15, 2022
Sunday May 15, 2022
In this weeks episode I share my chat with Kathleen who talks me through her two pregnancies and births. After Kathleen underwent cancer treatment she feared her fertility would be impacted but thankfully she concieved her little boy quite quickly. An uneventful pregnancy took a drastic turn of events as she was diagnosed with Pre-eclampsia. Her little boy was born via Caesarean birth at just 30 weeks weighing under 2kg.
Kathleen went on to conceive again and spent a lot of time researching the possibility of pre-eclampsia second time round. She decided the best decision for her and baby was to opt for a Caesarean birth as she noticed returning symptoms such as a severe headache in the very late stages of her pregnancy. She wanted her baby in her arms and she got just that, her little girl!
A story many of our premie parents will relate to. Kathleen later mentioned the @irish_neonatal_health_alliance were a huge support to her as a mother to a premie baby.
https://www.kiwico.com/panda - Code IREBIRTH to avail of 30% off your first order
Support the podcast
Sunday May 08, 2022
Sunday May 08, 2022
Sunday May 01, 2022
Sunday May 01, 2022
This week I’m sharing my chat with Tjarda who talks me through her journey to motherhood from discovering she was pregnant at 19 to having the most incredible support bringing each of her babes into the world. Tjardas experience in the hospital gave me goosebumps. She was surrounded by women who showed her respect, compassion and love. Her experience with birth the second time around was similar, nothing by support from everyone she was surrounded by.
On both occasions she stayed in her postpartum room as much as possible for those 40 days allowing her body to heal and deepen that connection with baby. Again she was supported by her family and community to enable this.
A really beautiful episode, I said very little just listened intently. No doubt you will too!
Visit https://www.kiwico.com with code IREBIRTH for 30% off
Support the podcast
Sunday Apr 24, 2022
Sunday Apr 24, 2022
In this next episode I share my chat with Brenda who talks me through her two birth experiences and one early pregnancy loss. Brenda’s perspective as someone who is hard of hearing is an important listen. She talks me through suffering from what she calls “deaf anxiety” worrying that she will miss her name being called at appointments, can she lip read or can she understand everything she has been told. For this reason along with others she opted for homebirths with both of her babes. She received incredible support from her homebirth midwife when she was transferred to hospital on her first baby but unfortunately due to restrictions the same midwife couldn’t be present when she was transferred with her second. Her husband was by her side through each labour and birth. She shares so much more in this episode too including her breastfeeding journey and suffering early pregnancy loss.
Months ago I tried to transcribe all past episodes to ensure the deaf community could enjoy each of your stories, this episode has lit a fire under me. Brenda’s story will also be available in text on the website as will every future episode.
Support the podcast
Monday Apr 18, 2022
Monday Apr 18, 2022
In this weeks episode I share my chat with Sinead, this is a long episode but I found it hard to edit any of our chat as I felt each stage of her journey to motherhood was so important to hear. She was diagnosed with endometriosis after years of excruciating periods and uncomfortable situations. When the time felt right, Sinead along with the support of her fertility doctor discovered she was pregnant. Many highs and lows were to follow!
Her labour and birth story is certainly not linear. She met some incredibly support people who she remembers fondly and most definitely aided in helping her through a particularly difficult experience. Unfortunately she encountered others that are etched in her memory for the wrong reasons.
This episode is hard to listen to in places but there is also lots of laughter in there too.
Restorative Birth Services Maria Saunders
Support the podcast