KEY TOPICS: 2 births, teenage mother, short age gap, cryptic pregnancies, natural deliveries

We're heading back to the late 1990's in this episode, to meet teenage sweethearts Claire Ellul and her then partner. Claire experienced very erratic periods, and on advice from her doctor she began medication to regulate her cycles. Some time later, she discovered she was pregnant... and already entering her third trimester! 😮 Claire describes the shock of this news and the absence of traditional early pregnancy symptoms. There's some humour with her mother-in-law's novel suggestion to confirm the pregnancy!

Claire tried old wives' tales to facilitate the labour and had a good experience with a natural birth. She safely delivered her son in the summer of 1998, and got married (very!) soon afterwards. Claire describes money as tight, with the couple having made financial commitments before learning about their son. 

After returning to work, she discovered ANOTHER cryptic pregnancy late in her second trimester! Claire speaks about adjusting to welcoming a second baby, with cravings and a bump appearing as she neared her due date. Another good natural delivery followed in the summer of 1999, and the couple settled into life as a family of four... all this before Claire reached her 20th birthday!

Her two sons share the same age for part of each year - we reflect on the realities of parenting a small age gap, and her whirlwind start to motherhood. Claire shares the advice she would give herself as a new mum, and reflects on what it's like to parent young adults now. I really enjoyed hearing this remarkable story, and I'm so grateful to Claire for sharing her two 'cryptic' birth stories! (Recorded July 2025). 

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KEY TOPICS: 2 births, large age gap, nuchal cord, placenta banking, natural deliveries, post-natal anxiety, silent reflux, nut & egg allergies, advanced maternal age, gestational diabetes, placenta previa, breech, pandemic

We’re meeting qualified nurse Nicole Pizarro in this episode, a mum who’s two daughters were born 10 years apart. She describes a good first pregnancy, with parentcraft classes helping her feel more prepared for her daughter’s arrival in 2012… a rare example of a baby born on their actual due date!

Nicole describes a natural delivery, the process of placenta stem cell retrieval, and then the difficult months that followed as she adjusted to a breastfeeding journey alongside silent reflux. She’s open about anxiety she experienced, and we discuss her daughter’s diagnosis of nut and egg allergies. It’s an educational listen as Nicole outlines many challenges across the years in keeping her little girl safe, and how it's changed her as a parent. She speaks fondly of the bond with her daughter, as well as navigating the pandemic and a wedding to her new partner.

A much-wanted second pregnancy came along in 2023 with a fun gender reveal, and Nicole describes issues faced as an older mother approaching 40. There are positives though – her gestational diabetes was controlled, placenta previa resolved, and the baby turned from breech position before birth. A fast natural delivery followed, and Nicole speaks about what it’s like adjusting to a larger age gap, and the importance of support for mothers. I’m so grateful to Nicole for sharing her birth stories! (Recorded June 2025).

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KEY TOPICS: 1 birth, unexplained infertility, advanced maternal age, miscarriage, fibroids, endometriosis, polyhydramnios, elective caesarean, anemia, blood transfusion, hysterectomy, sciatica, pandemic

In this episode we meet serving police officer Patricia Gonzalez, who sets the scene with a history of gynaecological issues over many years, and a diagnosis of unexplained infertility. She accepted that she’d always be the ‘fun aunt’ and not a mother... until her late 30’s when she naturally conceived!

After a sad miscarriage, Patricia speaks about feeling more ready for motherhood… and then becoming pregnant again in 2016. She describes feeling uncomfortably large due to fluid retention, and her pregnancy was classed as high-risk as she approached her 40th birthday. Patricia had an elective caesarean, with a less-common vertical incision to remove a large fibroid. She required a blood transfusion during recovery, due to anemia. Patricia speaks very openly about her anxiety at being a good mum, and about bonding with her little girl.

This episode highlights an older mother’s physical journey after birth – Patricia describes painful gynae issues, sciatica and peri-menopause symptoms. Tests indicated her at heightened risk of ovarian cancer, requiring an urgent hysterectomy. She shares her experience of navigating this difficult stage with fluctuating hormone levels, a toddler and working full-time… through the pandemic! Despite these big topics, there’s lots of laughs and candid honesty in this episode, and it's lovely to hear about the relationship she has with her daughter. I’m so grateful to Patricia for sharing her birth story (Recorded June 2025).

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KEY TOPICS: 2 births, advanced maternal age, infertility, genetics, thalassemia, IVF, haematoma, hyperemesis, induction, natural delivery, hypoxia, placenta previa, pre-septic, emergency caesarean, small age-gap, pandemic

Get ready for a rollercoaster episode with Bryony Rovegno and her family! In just a few short years, this local Mum experienced an incredible journey with a range of unexpected complications. Bryony and her partner were told that their chances of natural conception were very low from medical tests, so they began a fertility journey with a Spanish clinic. Three rounds of IVF later, the couple became pregnant with their daughter. Bryony had a haematoma and was severely sick until labour, when she had an assisted natural delivery… but things quickly took a turn for the worse, as her baby stopped breathing.

It's an emotional listen as Bryony describes the frightening medical emergency, with her little girl needing CPR and intubation plus a trip to Malaga. Staff battled to treat her daughter’s unexplained hypoxia and tried unconventional methods in a desperate bid to save her… against the odds she recovered, as the very rare (and usually fatal) cause was finally discovered. Bryony believes her daughter’s survival chances were a one in a billion.

Adjusting to their baby’s dramatic arrival, she describes the complete shock of then becoming pregnant again – naturally this time. Another haematoma and sickness followed, before placenta previa and an infection led to an emergency caesarean delivery of their son in early 2024. Bryony and her son recovered well, and the couple adapted to life as a family of four. She speaks openly about the challenges of colic, parenting a very small age-gap and working full-time.

Bryony hopes her episode offers support to anybody going through any similar issues, and highlights positive moments throughout her journey. I’m very grateful to Bryony for sharing her amazing birth stories (Recorded June 2025).

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KEY TOPICS: 3 births, measuring small, precipitous labours, frank breech, unplanned home birth, natural deliveries, developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH)

We're meeting Natalie Baitson in this episode: a mother whose labours got progressively faster - from 6 hours, to 1 hour... to just 17 minutes! 

Natalie and her partner were teenage sweethearts before starting their family in their early twenties, with baby Kaila in 2013. There's an unusual twist about about how the couple discovered they were expecting, but the pregnancy was straightforward and Natalie had a good natural delivery at hospital. The only concern was that she measured small for all three pregnancies - although her babies were all around 6lbs born, and she herself has a slight frame.

In 2017 Natalie experienced her only pregnancy that involved sickness, before Baby Kleo was born unexpectedly quickly at home. It was a high-risk situation due to breech position, with Natalie's partner delivering the baby as the ambulance was delayed. She believes they were able to manage the situation as it was their second birth. Natalie describes a complication affecting baby Kleo's hip, that required months of monitoring and trips to the Evelina hospital in London. Natalie tried an unusual treatment technique that proved successful, and happily Kleo now has a full range of movement with no lasting effects.

Her third birth in 2022 is described as Natalie's most traumatic, due to the sheer speed of events. This time her husband insisted on taking her to hospital when he recognised the first sign of labour... Natalie describes a race against time, and another dramatic birth at the entrance of the Maternity ward! She has time stamps on her phone messages that prove just how rapidly the labour progressed - something she points out can be very difficult to adjust to physically and emotionally. I'm very grateful to her for sharing her very fast birth stories! (Recorded June 2025).

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KEY TOPICS: 1 birth, gender reveal, spina bifida (myelomeningocele), frank breech, caesarean, disability, positivity

We're meeting Lucy Ware in this episode, mother to little ray of sunshine toddler Lottie! This is the most impressive gender reveal story so far, at the concert of a famous pop star in 2023 (that even made the news!) A few weeks later however, Lucy and her partner Jake were told that anomalies seen at the 20 week scan showed their little girl had spina bifida. This lead them on a journey away from the Rock for stressful scans and medical consultations... Lucy describes those weeks as being the worst of her life, as the couple grappled with questions and uncertainty.

A naturally positive couple, they decided to continue with the pregnancy and learn how best to support their daughter. They discovered that her bowel, bladder, ankles and feet would be most affected, and that her birth was too high-risk for Gibraltar. Lucy describes how in her third trimester, she and Jake undertook a roadtrip, relocating to London for the caesarean birth and specialist care. Lottie was born safely but then underwent major surgery within hours, spending weeks in hospital before the family could travel back to the Rock.

Lucy speaks so eloquently about Lottie's journey, and what it's like learning to care for a child with a physical disability. Lottie is developing into a bright and happy little girl, handling her physiotherapy and follow-up appointments well and settling into nursery. This is a proud loving family raising awareness and promoting inclusivity within the community, with a message of hope and positivity in the face of a difficult diagnosis. It's been a real privilege to capture this story (recorded May 2025), and I'm so grateful to Lucy for sharing.

For support, UK Charity Shine: https://www.shinecharity.org.uk/

Local charity PossAbilities: https://possabilities-gib.com/

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KEY TOPICS: 2 births, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), gestational diabetes, induction, weight, natural deliveries, anxiety, pandemic, autism parent, positivity, general practitioner

This special episode is in two parts, with General Practitioner Dr Olivia Gonzalez. In the first half she gives an overview of her professional background, and the services at the GHA Well Woman clinic where she's worked since 2020. Olivia explains how to book an appointment, what to expect on attendance, and gives great advice on discussing sensitive topics such as menopause, periods, fertility, contraception and postnatal care. She mentions some useful resources, outlined in the notes below.

In the second half, Olivia shares the two birth stories of her boys. She experienced a good first pregnancy and natural delivery, before settling into family life... just as the pandemic hit. Olivia speaks very openly about the challenges of managing anxiety and adjusting to her son's autism diagnosis.

Her second pregnancy followed a diagnosis of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) with gestational diabetes, requiring dietary management. Deemed high risk, Olivia was encouraged to have a caesarean - but her son had other ideas! Immediately after both births Olivia felt physically well, and she speaks so fondly about the support from her husband and family. 

There's lots of sensible advice and positivity in this episode, with a real emphasis on self-kindness. I'm very grateful to Olivia for sharing her valuable professional experience and honest birth stories here. (Recorded May 2025).

______________________________________

To contact the GHA Well Woman clinic, call 2000 7842 or use the egov.gi portal

The National Autistic Society Early Bird Parenting https://www.autism.org.uk

Local charity PossAbilities: https://possabilities-gib.com

NHS health advice: https://patient.info

Tommys pregnancy & baby charity: https://www.tommys.org

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Season 2 of the podcast is complete! Thank you to our 12 wonderful guests for sharing their Gibraltar Birth Stories across episodes 14 to 25.

Season 3 coming soon! If you'd like to get involved, email: [email protected]

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KEY TOPICS: 1 birth, MRKH syndrome, genetics, infertility, IVF, surrogacy, pandemic

To complete season 2, it’s a privilege to capture the very special story of a Llanita baby born *off* the Rock, to Gibraltarian mother Stephanie Galea via a surrogate. This is a powerful and fascinating listen to a complex five-year journey, for Stephanie and her husband to become parents to their daughter.

Our story begins in the year 2000, when as a teenager Stephanie received a very rare medical diagnosis… confirming she would never naturally conceive or carry a baby. When she met her husband in her 30’s, the couple explored surrogacy options and underwent medical tests and a successful first round of IVF in 2017. However, they discovered that Gibraltarians were not eligible for surrogacy in the UK at that time, which came as a devastating blow. With few other options available to them in Europe, the couple made huge financial sacrifices to seek a surrogate in America where the process is well-established. They somehow fit in a wedding in 2019!

Stephanie is so composed as she explains complicated legal processes, logistical challenges and costs involved in working with a surrogacy agency. Due to the pandemic, Stephanie and her husband met their chosen surrogate couple online… and she describes how they ‘just clicked.’ What followed was nerve-wracking journey into 2021, as the pregnancy successfully progressed. Stephanie speaks about key dates etched in her mind, and how their daughter’s arrival three weeks early led to a race across the Atlantic to meet her! The moment she finally held her longed-for baby makes for a very emotional listen.

There was further paperwork to complete as the couple navigated their way back home to the Rock, but they settled into family life and their daughter is now starting school locally. Stephanie and her husband have remained in contact with their surrogate couple, and she speaks about her huge gratitude to the surrogate mother, as well as to her family for their support. Her motto is very much “Anything is Possible,” and I’m so grateful to Stephanie for sharing this remarkable birth story. (Recorded May 2025).

https://www.gbc.gi/news/surrogacy-bill-finally-published

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KEY TOPICS: 2 births, miscarriages, pre-eclampsia, caesareans, prolapsed bladder, pandemic, autism parent, expat

We meet Charlotte today, a mother of two boys born through the pandemic. This is a very insightful episode for anybody wondering what its like to parent a child with special needs, as her eldest child has a diagnosis of nonverbal autism. Charlotte highlights some beautiful positives in her journey.

After early miscarriages, she and her ex-husband were thrilled to experience a good healthy pregnancy, and prepared for a peaceful natural birth... but due to pre-eclampsia concerns her son arrived by emergency caesarean. She speaks about her recovery and the challenges of being a new parent while the world locked down in 2020. Charlotte's unexpected second pregnancy came along... just in time for the second lockdown! She had severe sickness this time - while working from home with a toddler. She speaks about a better birth experience via elective caesarean in 2021, with a positive breastfeeding journey too. Charlotte describes the early signs of autism in her eldest son, the fast referral process with the GHA, as well as communication techniques and the special bond between her sons.

A particularly disastrous fitness incident (!) prompted Charlotte to became passionate about promoting gentle postpartum exercise and body positivity, challenging societal expectations. She's a qualified Pilates instructor and works to empower new mothers on their health journeys, pre and postnatally. She tells her story so calmly and with humour and warmth; I'm very grateful to Charlotte for sharing her two Gibraltar Birth Stories! (Recorded April 2025).

Core Life by Charlotte: www.corelifebyc.com

Instagram: corelife_bycharlotte

Email: [email protected]

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