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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 gorgeous episode demonstrating the power of support from family to midwives and also how incredible the arrival of a new family member can be for everyone.

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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 chats about extended breastfeeding and life with two kids at just 13 months apart.

Thanks so much Emma

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

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 few days. A decision was made to bring Emma’s baby into the world via C-section but a midwife examined her just one last time which completely changed everything. We also chat about that hormonal shift which can be felt as breastfeeding wants/needs change for baby. Thank you Emma for sharing as much as you did.

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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 minutes she revisits her experience with termination. I know this will connect with some of you but for others who aren’t in a place to listen I don’t want you to miss the birth of Lyla, hence the reason I have shared that time stamp.

Thanks for sharing Karla

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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 for a homebirth and how difficult it can be to take that midwife hat off. When it was go time, it all happened super quick in the end and she was surrounded by everyone that was important to her. 

Support Áine received after suffering a miscarriage was through Orlagh Reid

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Thanks for you support

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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

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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 remarks on the support she had from family, the medical professionals who gave her what needed at just the right time (some not so much!) and the moment she felt the darkness lifting. I’ve no doubt some of my listeners will relate to Emma’s story but I do want you to listen with caution. This episode might not be for you at the moment but will always be here if/when you are ready. 

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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

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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 part of something so intimate.

Thanks @ciarajharrison & Aoife

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