KEY TOPICS: 2 births, natural deliveries, miscarriage, induction, nuchal cord, positivity

In this episode we're meeting babies born to Claire Hernandez and her husband, in the noughties: 2004 & 2009. This is a very strong, loving family unit!

Claire was fortunate to become pregnant soon after the couple began trying to start their family, and had what she describes as a 'textbook' pregnancy. Her morning sickness eased off in the second trimester, and Claire spontaneously went into labour before her due date. Their son arrived quite quickly with a natural delivery, and she speaks movingly about how it felt to hold her baby for the first time. Claire describes her feeding journey transitioning from breast to bottle, and a straightforward start to parenting. Sadly a few years later, the couple experienced a miscarriage in the first trimester, which came as a complete shock after their previous successful pregnancy. She speaks eloquently about the mix of emotions involved, and the support of family and friends.

The following year Claire experienced another textbook pregnancy, and speaks about her positive mindset throughout. This time the baby was induced, and Claire remembers a longer, more intense labour with her daughter's cord wrapped around her neck. She was delivered safely, and Claire was able to go home the same day and settle into life as a family of four. She describes her toddler son responding well to his new sibling.

We chat about family dynamics and efforts to keep things fair when parenting two, as well as the impact of the pandemic when her kids were just starting and finishing secondary school. This episode concludes with a reflection on the positives of her parenting journey and Claire's hopes for her children's futures. She's very proud of her family, and I'm very grateful to Claire for sharing her Gibraltar Birth Stories (Recorded May 2025).

Find 'Born on the Rock: Gibraltar Birth Stories' on Facebook and Instagram for more

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

KEY TOPICS: 1 birth, infertility, advanced maternal age, IVF, hyperemesis gravidarum, placenta previa, haemorrhage & blood transfusion, emergency CS, premature, postnatal depression, expat

Hold tight for a dramatic story in this episode, as we meet Louise Ann - who arrived pregnant on the Rock in 2007! Louise and her partner began trying for a baby in the early 2000's in the UK, but were met with unexplained infertility. She describes the toll of three unsuccessful IVF cycles and exploratory surgery, before eventually falling pregnant. However, she suffered severe sickness and further complications in her second trimester... discovered once she relocated to the Rock with her partner's job at 31 weeks pregnant.

Louise was admitted to St. Bernard's hospital on arrival, then put on bedrest for several weeks as placenta previa and associated bleeding deemed her high risk. She used her time to learn about newborn care, and describes a steep learning curve while forming good connections with medical staff. She recalls the details surrounding the frighteningly fast arrival of her daughter by emergency caesarean at 34 weeks. Louise required a blood transfusion, but was lucky to avoid transfer of care to Spain. 

Mother and baby recovered well, and Louise speaks about her determination to overcome postnatal depression. She describes the surprising power of instinct and positive mindset, and speaks fondly about staff at the GHA supporting her. Louise is certain she would not have received the same care in England, and remains forever grateful to local staff for saving their lives. We conclude our chat discussing what it's like to go from proudly parenting a tiny preemie to a young adult. I'm very grateful to Louise for sharing her dramatic Gibraltar Birth Story! 

Find 'Born on the Rock: Gibraltar Birth Stories' on Facebook and Instagram for more

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

KEY TOPICS: 2 births, PCOS, natural deliveries, fast labours, postnatal depression, allergies & intolerances

Heidi Jeffries is our guest on an episode we’re calling ‘Plain Sailing,’ as her birth experiences were very straightforward… and the family has multiple nautical connections! We’re travelling back to the year 2000, when Heidi and her husband started their family soon after getting married. After convincing her husband that the pregnancy was not an April Fool’s joke (!) Heidi had a good pregnancy journey – with an unusual craving.

She received conflicting medical advice about her labour due to a back condition in the third trimester, which influenced her choice of birth position for the natural delivery of her son. He had a safe textbook arrival… but Heidi describes how feeding and sleep issues then hugely overshadowed the following years, as her son suffered with several allergies and intolerances. She speaks candidly about the toll it takes on tired parents, trying to find solutions to make a child comfortable. Heidi mentions her mother’s support, as well as amusing nicknames she and husband had for the boys.

Heidi found it hard to become pregnant with her second child, and investigations revealed that she had polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Treatment helped her conceive, and she experienced another good pregnancy, but this time with a different craving. As with her other son, Heidi’s second child arrived before his due date and quickly – with his birth weight matching his date and month of birth! She describes the challenge of raising a child prone to accidents and injuries, and we chat about what it’s like to parent young adults, and the special bond between the two boys. Heidi is so proud of her sons, and I’m very grateful she’s shared her Gibraltar Birth Stories (Recorded April 2025).

Find 'Born on the Rock: Gibraltar Birth Stories' on Facebook and Instagram for more

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

KEY TOPICS: 1 birth, miscarriages, hostile uterus, genetic mutation, clotting disorder, IVF, natural birth, fast delivery, depression, fostering

In this episode we meet Megan Ballestero, who describes her unexpected parenting journey to become a family of four!

Megan and her husband began trying for a baby soon after their wedding... but experienced recurring miscarriages over several years. Extensive tests revealed a 'medically complex' case: a genetic mutation (MTHFR gene), a blood clotting disorder (Factor V Leiden) and a uterus abnormality requiring surgery, which - all combined - made it almost impossible to get past the first trimester.

At significant financial cost, the couple began an IVF journey with a fertility clinic in Spain and were thrilled to experience a healthy full-term pregnancy. Deemed high-risk due to her medical issues, Megan was prepared for an elective caesarean... but her son had other ideas! She describes a very positive and smooth start to motherhood after his fast birth in December 2018.

When her son was a toddler, Megan attended a session run by the Care Agency seeking foster families. The realisation that there are local children in need was an eye-opening experience that Megan could not ignore. Her husband understood the compulsion to help, and eventually they welcomed a similar-aged little boy into their home! Proving that you don't have to give birth to be a loving parent, I'm very grateful to Megan for sharing her fascinating journey here (Recorded February 2025).

For information about the Care Agency: https://www.gibraltar.gov.gi/health/care-agency

More about becoming a Foster Carer: https://www.gbc.gi/news/care-agency-calling-out-foster-carers-their-social-media-campaign

For details about Care Link charity: https://carelink.gi/

Find Born on the Rock on Facebook and Instagram for more

Find 'Born on the Rock: Gibraltar Birth Stories' on Facebook and Instagram for more

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

KEY TOPICS: 2 births, miscarriage, natural deliveries, puerperal haematoma, premature, postnatal depression, anaemia, Christmas

Let’s welcome our youngest mother to the podcast so far: Victoria Sanguinetti born in 1999. She’s packed in a rollercoaster few years since the pandemic - getting married, moving house and giving birth to her daughter in 2022, then son in 2023 (prematurely)… all while working and supporting her husband through an organ transplant!

Victoria describes both pregnancies as healthy but very different. She experienced a frightening haematoma complication after the rapid birth of her daughter that almost led to a blood transfusion. Victoria had postnatal depression after the traumatic event, but physically healed well and established breastfeeding. The following year she and her partner conceived their second child faster than planned... and he arrived sooner than expected too, at 34 weeks on Boxing Day! The birth and recovery was a positive experience, and the couple were fortunate not have to transfer care to Spain as is often the case for premature arrivals. 

All of this happened just a few months before the couple’s wedding – and Victoria describes how much harder things could have been if her son was born later, while she supported her husband undergoing months of medical treatment in England. It’s an incredibly busy set of events, and she describes her story so calmly, showing true strength and resilience. I’m so grateful to Victoria for sharing her Gibraltar Birth Stories… and wish her family a very quiet and settled few years ahead! (Recorded February 2025).

Find Born on the Rock on Facebook & Instagram for more

Find 'Born on the Rock: Gibraltar Birth Stories' on Facebook and Instagram for more

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

KEY TOPICS: 2 births, miscarriage, ectopic, salpingectomy, infertility, IVF, elective caesarean, thrombophilia, pandemic

We welcome our first pregnant guest onto the podcast in this episode! Meet Krisanne Orciel, full-term with her second baby at the time of recording (February 2025).

Krisanne describes her decade-long parenting journey, including an ectopic pregnancy loss at nine weeks. The procedure to remove the affected fallopian tube was followed by repeated, unexplained early miscarriages over several years. A second ectopic pregnancy and salpingectomy procedure left Krisanne unable to naturally conceive, and she describes the intense feelings of hopelessness, believing she might never become a mother.

Krisanne and her partner qualified for fertility treatment through the Gibraltar Health Authority using a clinic in Spain. She explains the many tests involved, and how they finally discovered the treatable reason for her previous losses. After an unsuccessful first IVF cycle, Krisanne speaks about her mindset change for their second attempt, and - despite an additional risk factor - the couple were able to enjoy a healthy pregnancy before the elective caesarean birth of their boy in 2022! They underwent another cycle of fertility treatment the following year at a different clinic, and were lucky to become pregnant again with their second son. She speaks about the contrasting experiences at the clinics, and feels grateful she's had these opportunities to grow her family.

This is a story with an over-riding message of positivity in the face of adversity. Krisanne tells her story in such an engaging way, you’ll be gripped from start to finish. We’ve popped a little update at the end too, with a surprising twist on her second caesarean as well as her recovery journey. Thank you Krisanne for sharing your Gibraltar Birth Stories so beautifully!

Take a look at our Facebook and Instagram pages for more.

Find 'Born on the Rock: Gibraltar Birth Stories' on Facebook and Instagram for more

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

KEY TOPICS: 1 birth, endometriosis, genetics, Fragile X syndrome, advanced maternal age, hyperemesis gravidarum, fast labour, natural birth

We meet Somaya Anakkar in this story, who describes her son as a miracle! She wanted to be a mother for a very long time, but discovered that she is a carrier of the genetic disorder Fragile X syndrome, which - along with a diagnosis of painful endometriosis - vastly reduced her chances of natural fertility. Two decades passed without the right circumstances for conceiving, and she was acutely aware of the threat of menopause as she neared her late 30’s.

Somaya describes herself as a woman of faith, and placed trust in the concept of ‘what is meant for you will not pass you by.’ She met her husband when she least expected to, and after a pandemic wedding they began a fertility treatment journey… with unexpected results defying doctors! After a pregnancy involving hyperemesis gravidarium and then a fast labour, Somaya’s much-wanted little boy arrived safely. It’s a fascinating set of events, right down to the meaning behind her son’s beautiful name.

This is a story of faith, hope and love when the odds seem completely stacked against becoming a parent. Somaya’s gratitude at motherhood is so heartwarming to hear, and she tells her story in such an engaging way. Thanks to Somaya for sharing this wonderfully uplifting episode of Born on the Rock! (Recorded February 2025).

Find 'Born on the Rock: Gibraltar Birth Stories' on Facebook and Instagram for more

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

KEY TOPICS: 3 births, natural deliveries, placental abruption, stillbirth, depression, grandparent

Today we're heading back to the old St Bernard's hospital with Eileen Sanchez, who had three children with her husband in 1985, 1986 and 1988.

⚠️ As a trigger warning, please note the first half of this episode contains discussion of baby loss, as Eileen tragically experienced the stillbirth of her first child at 8 months pregnant. She describes key moments in the weeks before the loss of her daughter, leading Eileen to question 'what if..?' ever since.

She explains the bewilderment of a first-time mother, feeling that her intense pain was not recognised, and even dismissed. After spontaneous labour, she reflects on approaches deemed helpful at the time but that compounded her grief, leading to depression. Poignantly, she recalls specific details and dates in retelling her story even 40 years later, and addresses the difficult topic of grief. Eileen had the support of her concerned husband and family members.

She went on to have two nerve-wracking but healthy pregnancies, resulting in the safe births of her sons...the third labour being her easiest with least pain! Eileen emphasises the importance of communication and mental health awareness, and hopes her story offers support to other parents coping with loss. There's a heart-warming chat towards the end of this episode about the joy of becoming a grandparent, and it’s clear she's very proud of her family. I'm so grateful to Eileen for bravely sharing her Gibraltar Birth Stories (Recorded February 2025).

Please visit BABYSTEPPS or Sands for baby loss support, or email [email protected] to contact Eileen

Find 'Born on the Rock: Gibraltar Birth Stories' on Facebook and Instagram for more

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

KEY TOPICS: 3 births, large age gap, natural deliveries, advanced maternal age, pandemic

Jenny Ainsworth is our guest today, describing the births of her three children in 2000, 2004... and 2019. Jenny's pregnancies were unplanned but straightforward, and she references feelings of strong maternal instinct. She's a single mum, and regards motherhood as the best experience of her life.

Pregnancy generally suited Jenny, and her natural births were painful but without complication. She describes what it was like to welcome a newborn again... 16 years after her last child! Jenny speaks about the challenges of raising a baby during the pandemic, her breastfeeding experience, choosing names and the special bond she has with her youngest daughter.

Very sadly, Jenny's firstborn - her son - passed away as a baby. We do not discuss details of his loss in this episode, but acknowledge his memory by name. I'm very grateful to Jenny for braving the microphone to share her Gibraltar Birth Stories in this episode. (Recorded January 2025).

Find 'Born on the Rock: Gibraltar Birth Stories' on Facebook and Instagram for more

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

KEY TOPICS: 3 births, PCOS, hyperemesis gravidarum, caesarean, VBAC, precipitous labour, premature, home births

Jo Abergel and her husband are parents to three children, born in 2002, 2005 and 2011. After over a year of trying for a baby and investigations that identified PCOS, the couple conceived when they least expected! A serious issue throughout all of Jo’s journeys was the severe and debilitating vomiting she experienced – plus anti-sickness treatments that left her almost bed-bound by her third pregnancy.

Jo’s first birth was an elective caesarean turned emergency, when spontaneous labour began at 38 weeks. She recovered well and had strong family support after the birth of her son. Her next two babies were born prematurely at 34 and 35 weeks… coincidentally, both at home and quickly on the couple’s bathroom floor! Jo recalls feeling very little pain as her husband helped deliver both babies, while waiting for the ambulance to arrive. It's a remarkable listen!

There’s high drama and humour in this episode, plus a glimpse of the old St Bernard's hospital as everything transferred to the current premises with Jo's second baby. She mentions instances of Jewish faith traditions within her parenting journey, lots of family support, and is full of praise for the hospital staff too. Thanks for sharing these fascinating birth stories, Jo! (Recorded January 2025).

Find 'Born on the Rock: Gibraltar Birth Stories' on Facebook and Instagram for more

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.