Ireland's Birth Stories - podcast cover

Ireland's Birth Stories

A platform for women to share their experiences with pregnancy and birth without feeling shy about the detail

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Episodes

EP174 Eleonora, TTC, Pregnancy & Birth of Son, Family Health, Induction, Epidural, Breastfeeding

This week I share my chat with Eleonora who talks me through the birth of her son Adam. Eleonora talks us through TTC and how she navigated those 6 month’s waiting to see a true positive test. She then talks through the plan which was to induce her at 39 weeks but this changed later in her pregnancy. Labour started all own its own but baby was happy to stay put. She was later induced and opted for an epidural which gave her the rest her body desperately needed. We chat through some early motherh...

Jun 29, 20251 hr 11 minEp. 174

EP173 Niamh, Two Pregnancies & Births, Induction, Emergency C-section, NICU, Placenta Previa, Private Care, Planned C-section, NICU

This week I share my chat with Niamh who talks me through her two pregnancies and births. Niamh was overdue with her first boy which led to an induction. She was later brought for an emergency c-section as baby wasn’t happy at all. She talks us through the hours and days that followed this experience. We then talk through her second birth story which was 11 weeks ago now. It was discover very early on that Niamh had placenta previa. This immediately lead to alarm bells from Niamh’s perspective b...

Jun 22, 20251 hr 35 min

Community In You with Angel Cassin

In this episode I share my chat with Angel. We revisited the birth of her son back in EP163 which was a gorgeous home birth. This time we talk about community, the tools to help you build support around you and the highs and lows of our personal experiences. Hearing Angles perspective just shows how unique we all are but despite this there is always a deep connection engrained within us as mothers. Below I have included links which might be of interest to you Together Estranged: https:// www.tog...

Jun 18, 202545 min

EP172 Eilis, Reciprocal IVF, Induction, Epidural, Vaginal Birth, Haemorrhage, Supporting Our Partners

This week I share my chat with Eilís who talks me through her one pregnancy and the birth of her daughter. Together with her wife Laura, Eilís conceived her baby via reciprocal IVF. She shares so much from how life looked through pregnancy, partner support and just navigating life whilst trying to focus on what lay ahead. Eilís then shares her birth story. She was induced and later gave birth to her daughter vaginally. What followed was rare but resulted in emergency surgery and multiple blood t...

Jun 15, 20251 hr 31 min

EP171 - Vanessa, Fourth Birth, Navigating Profound Grief Through Pregnancy, VBAC, Unmedicated Birth

This week I share my chat with Vanessa who talks me through her fourth birth story. Vanessa’s story is different to most as we revisit how she navigated grief while also trying to focus on her pregnancy. Just one week after Vanessas sister, Lisa left this world Vanessa discovered she was pregnant with her fourth baby. Vanessa gave birth to her son in hospital with the support of her husband and midwives. We also chat through despite experiencing life with a newborn for the fourth time it can sti...

Jun 11, 202545 minEp. 171

EP170 Caroline, Three Pregnancies, Two Births, Premature Birth at 25 Weeks 2 Days, NICU, Second Pregnancy, Full Term, Vaginal Birth

In this week’s episode I share my chat with Caroline who talks me through her two birth stories and one miscarriage. Her first little boy came into the world at just over 25 weeks. Caroline brings us through each stage of realising she was infact in labour. Her baby was coming despite efforts to prolong her pregnancy. There is so much to life with a small baby in hospital, Caroline shares it all from pumping, the isolation, the tough days and holding her baby for the first time in 9 days. She th...

Jun 01, 20251 hr 23 minEp. 170

EP167 Jessica, One Pregnancy and Birth, Induction, Very Quick Labour

In this week’s episode I share my chat with Jess who talks me through her one pregnancy and the birth of her little girl. We chat through discovering she was pregnant, pregnancy itself and then into her induction. We often hear of stories around inductions with women waiting days for their baby to arrive. This wasn’t the case for Jess but infact the complete opposite. After feeling the effects of the induction she was examined and discovered she was 2.5cm dilated, she felt relief hearing this. S...

May 25, 20251 hr 2 minEp. 167

EP166 Sarah Louise PT1/2 Two Pregnancies & Birth, Induction, Forceps, Recovery, Unplanned Homebirth, Breastfeeding

This week I share my chat with Sarah Louise who talks me through two of her four birth stories. Each of her first two experiences were completely different. She was induced with her first baby followed by assistance with a forceps . Sarah Louise revisits the hours following her first daughter’s birth which included being put under general anaesthetic. Her second experience was completely different. She gave birth to her second baby at home, unplanned. Her baby was coming and waiting for nobody. ...

May 18, 20251 hr 26 minEp. 166

EP165 Nikki - One Pregnancy & Birth, Hospital Birth, PND & Anxiety

EP165 Nikki - One Pregnancy & Birth, Hospital Birth, PND & Anxiety In this episode I share my chat with Nikki who talks me through her one pregnancy and the birth of her son. Nikki loved being pregnant but is also honest about her struggles with anxiety. She attended pregnancy yoga which was transformative as she used tools learned through her instructor (also teaches antenatal classes) throughout her birth. They formed a deep connection giving her that extra level of support. Nikki revi...

May 04, 20251 hr 31 minEp. 165

EP164 Meghan - Major Surgery (Removal of large mass, ovary & fallopian tube), Recovery, One Pregnancy and Birth, Positive Hospital Birth, Breastfeeding

In this episode I share my chat with Meghan who talks me through her one pregnancy and the birth of her son, Ronan. Meghan's birth story is so gorgeous as she was surrounded by nothing but support from her husband and midwives. The years prior to Meghan's pregnancy were incredibly tough as she overcame major surgery just as she was about to start planning her wedding along with other serious and very scary diagnosis in her close family unit. Thank you so much for sharing Meghan Support the podca...

Apr 27, 20251 hr 14 minEp. 164

EP163 Angel, One Pregnancy & Birth, Combined Care, Homebirth, Positive Birth Story

In this next story I share my chat with Angel who revisit the birth of hr son, Barra. Angel opted for homebirth mostly with the support of her local maternity hospital. She is such a great story teller so it was amazing to hear her go back to those moments of sheer disbelief that she was infact in labour followed by acceptance that baby was this was happening, she was giving birth. She shares the vulnerability labour can bring about explaining her experience in such a gorgeous way. Angel birthed...

Apr 20, 20251 hr 6 minEp. 163

EP162 - Orlagh, Two Pregnancies & Births, Caesarean Births, Achondroplasia Diagnosis (Dwarfism), Life with Summer

In this week's episode I share my chat with Orlagh Reid who talks me through her two pregnancies and caesarean births. Orlagh revisits some tough moments in her experience entering into motherhood from discovering there was potentially something "wrong" with her baby at 37 weeks to receiving the news that her daughter Summer had Achondroplasia also known as Dwarfism. Oralgh chats through navigating those early days along with life with Summer know. Thanks so much Orlagh Support the podcast Buy M...

Apr 13, 20251 hr 1 minEp. 162

EP161 PT2/2 Paige, Third Birth, Severe Vertigo, Induction, Repeated Requested Epidural (Not administered in time)

This week I share part two of Paige's story. This episode is very different to Paige's first two pregnancies and births as she suffered with severe vertigo. Paige was crippled with constant vomiting and dizziness whilst also trying to manage daily life. She revisits multiple hospital trips and doctors appointments to try and find a solution to her illness. At 38 weeks Paige was induced which was a decision made together with her consultant. Unfortunately, her wishes were heard but not listened t...

Apr 06, 20251 hr 7 minEp. 161

EP160 PT1/2 Paige, Private Care, Three Births, Positive Induction, Epidural, Breastfeeding

In this week's episode I share part 1 Paige's story. We revisit her first two births both being positive surrounded by support from midwives and consultant. She was induced with her first baby and later opted for an epidural. She also opted of an epidural with her second birth but this time she went into labour herself, feeling her water break for the first time. Paige also chats through her first experience breastfeeding and how tough she found it but took a very different approach with her sec...

Mar 30, 20251 hr 1 minEp. 160

EP159 Sarah Louise, Pregnancy Loss, Second Birth, Planned C-Section, Partner Support

This week on the Ireland's Birth Stories podcast I share my chat with Sarah Louise. Many of you will remember our first chat in November 2022 which was so tough as she was pregnant going through the breakdown of a relationship. This time her story is very different. She was supported by her fiance, feeling loved and the kindness of a partner not only throughout pregnancy but also in those postpartum days. Sarah Louise chatted through each step of her planned c-section from waiting to go into sur...

Mar 24, 202532 minEp. 159

EP158 Aishling, First Pregnancy, Severe Hyperemesis, Pancreatitis, Induction, Emergency C-section, Postpartum

In this week's episode I share my chat with Aishling who talks me through her first pregnancy and the birth of her son. Aishling suffered from severe hyperemesis which had a huge impact on her life. We also chat through other health complications which really made an already tough pregnancy even more challenging. We then chat through Aishlings birth story, she opted for an induction and later it was decided to bring her son into the world through an emergency c-section. We also chat through thes...

Mar 17, 20251 hr 6 minEp. 158

EP157 Judith PT2/2 Early Pregnancy supported by IVF clinic, Hospital Care, Induction, Positive Birth

In this week's episode on the Ireland's Birth Stories podcast I share my chat with Judith who talks me through her pregnancy with Rian. Judith was monitioredclosley throughout her pregnancy right from the very early stage to the moment Rian came Ito the world. She also discovered her cervix was measuring short therefore had a stitch inserted to ensure baby was safe and sound for as long as possible. Judith then revisit the final few weeks, her deciosn to have an induction and the birth of her la...

Mar 10, 202545 minEp. 157

EP156 Judith PT1/2, Years of TTC, Serendipitous Moments, IVF

This week on the Ireland's Birth Stories podcast I’m sharing my chat with @anirishmammy who talks me through the last few years of her life TTC. Judith has been very open on her own IG page but here we really go through each of the treatments she underwent, how she felt mentally moving from a place of acceptance to deciding to try one last time and the toll it took on her body. Judith and I spoke back in 2021 and have always stayed in touch rooting for one another. We had this connection but she...

Mar 03, 202549 minEp. 156

EP155 Charlotte, Two Births, C-section, VBAC

This episode was brought to you by * Birth Baby Beyond * Book your free doula consultation via their website or visit their Instagram for further information. EP155 Charlotte, Two Births, C-section, Birth Preparation, VBAC In this week's episode I share my chat with Charlotte who revisited reach of her two births with me, We chat about TTC, pregnancy sickness and her first birth which resulted in a C-section. Her second pregnancy and birth looked very different. She invested so much time in her ...

Feb 24, 20251 hr 19 minEp. 155

EP154 - Justine, Second Birth, Homebirth

This episode was brought to you by * Birth Baby Beyond * Book your free doula consultation via their website or visit their Instagram for further information. In this episode I share my chat with @justinekingxx She revisits TTC, discovering she was pregnant and her decision to have a homebirth. Justine also shares a difficult time in her families life as her dad overcame some heath issues but she also discusses how difficult it was to stay focused on what was imminent. The birth of her boy! A go...

Feb 17, 202552 minEp. 154

EP153 - Emma pt2/2, Second pregnancy & Birth, Epidural, Breastfeeding, Life with Two under Two

his episode was brought to you by * Birth Baby Beyond * Book your free doula consultation via their website or visit their Instagram for further information. In this week's episode I share the second part of Emmas story. Emma shares discovering she was pregnant soon after the birth of her first boy. She reminisces over feeling the need to work things out logically, how do naps work with two young babies? She then shares Shay's birth which was very different to her first experience. Emma also cha...

Feb 10, 202549 minEp. 153

EP152 - Emma (pt1/2) First Pregnancy, Sickness, Induction, Instrumental Birth,

This episode was brought to you by * Birth Baby Beyond * Book your free doula consultation via their website or visit their Instagram for further information. EP152 - Emma (PT1/2) First Pregnancy, Sickness, Induction, Hormonal Shift (Breastfeeding) This week I share my chat with Emma. Again I have decided to split our chat into two episodes. In part one Emma shares discovering she was pregnant and struggling with pregnancy sickness. We then chat through Emma’s induction which was a really tough ...

Feb 03, 20251 hr 10 minEp. 152

EP151 - Karla PT2, Major Surgery, Termination, Pregnancy Loss, Positive Birth

In this week’s episode I share the second part of Karla’s story. This part of Karla’s story is pretty tough listening up until the 35 minute mark. She talks us through major surgery through Covid and her experience with termination. Karla then shares the birth of her second daughter which is such a gorgeous, positive experience surrounded by midwives who were there to support her through it all. They stood back and let her do her thing. As I say in the introduction of Karla’s story from 15-33 mi...

Jan 27, 202546 minEp. 151

EP150 (PT1/2) - Karla, Two Pregnancies, Miscarriage, One Birth, Assisted Delivery (vacuum)

This week I’m sharing part one of two episodes. Karla shares so much of her life with us over these two episodes from suffering loss, birthing each of her girls, termination and over coming major surgery. This week we chat about Karla’s experience with her first miscarriage which is really tough to revisit. We then chat through her daughter’s birth, Kora. In the hospital Karla was surrounded by women who were really rooting for her. They gave her space, time and support. She did need some assist...

Jan 20, 202559 min

EP149 - Áine, Two Pregnancies, One Birth, Miscarriage, Homebirth (Perspective of a midwife)

I had the pleasure of not only sitting with Áine revisiting Cora’s birth in person but also meeting the lady herself. Áine shared so much with us. We chat about her first pregnancy which unfortunately ended in a miscarriage. As for many of us, this led to a roller coaster of emotions. Áine shares what she did to help navigate life through pregnancy loss. We then chat about her second pregnancy which thankfully went to full term. Áine shares her perspective as a midwife through pregnancy, opting ...

Jan 13, 20251 hr 4 min

EP148 - Brana, Pregnancy & Caregiving, Child Loss, Early Pregnancy Loss, Connecting with Pregnancy through Grief, Labouring at Home, Motherhood, Support

In this episode Brana shares the birth of her second daughter Riyah. We also chat about Evie, Brana's first daughter who sadly passed away weeks before Riyah came into the world. Below I have linked our first chat from 2022 when Brana talked us through Evie's birth but also her suffering the loss of a pregnancy at 10 weeks gestation. Brana shares so much with with us in both of our chats. Thanks Brana EP99 - Evie's Story Produced & edited by Corah Gernon at She Talks Productions Show Your Su...

Dec 09, 20241 hr 9 min

EP147 - Emma, Pre-Eclampsia, Birth at 35 weeks, C-section, Navigating Early Motherhood with Depression In this episode

In this episode I share my chat with Emma who talks me through her pregnancy and the birth of her son Robin. Emma is also incredibly open about her struggles with depression. Unfortunately Emma’s medical team discovered she had severe pre-eclampsia so she was admitted to hospital at 34 weeks. Her son came into the world 5 weeks premature, thankfully healthy with a short stay in NICU. Emma talks us through a crippling depressive episode at 4 months postpartum, again being so honest with us. She r...

Dec 02, 20241 hr 6 min

EP146 - Megan, First Pregnancy, Homebirth, Currently Pregnancy

In this week's episode I chat to Megan who talked me through the birth of her first baby at home. Megan's first choice wasn't homebirth but after attending an antenatal class she was inspired. She talks us through preparation which included keeping the fact she was having a homebirth under wraps as a means of protecting her space. Megan then talks me through the birth of her first boy which is just gorgeous. Enjoy Produced & edited by Corah Gernon at She Talks Productions Show Your Support B...

Nov 18, 20241 hr

EP145 - Aoife & Ciara, Reciprocal IVF, Water labour, Conversations Navigating Care

In this episode I share my chat with Aoife and her wife Ciara. Together they share their experience bringing their daughter Rua into the world. They chose reciprocal IVF which is relatively new to Ireland so it's a great opportunity to be given such first hand insight into the such a new form of IVF. Together they made informed decisions which best suited what they wanted throughout conception, pregnancy and birth. I love listen to a couple share their story, it's such a rare opportunity to be a...

Oct 30, 20241 hr 32 min

EP144 - Erin, Second Birth, Hospital Birth (Pool Labour), Breastfeeding

In this episode I share my chat with Erin who talks me through her second birth story. In Oct 2021 I shared Erins first birth story which was so different. Erin prepared so much for this birth ensuring she was confident in her decisions when creating her birth plan. We also talk about adjusting to life as a mum of two and over coming breastfeeding obstacles. Thanks @vodkatearserin Produced & edited by Corah Gernon at She Talks Productions Show Your Support Buy Me A Coffee Patreon Hosted on A...

Oct 16, 202455 min
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