Welcome to The Borne Podcast, the podcast that brings you stories of research, resilience, and real-life experiences of pregnancy and preterm birth.
Join Ellie Gibson, Caro Tasker and Professor Mark Johnson as they bring together parents, experts, and scientists to share their stories with honesty and compassion. We talk about the science, but we also talk about hope, heartbreak, courage, and the small victories that mean everything. Because every insight, every conversation, and every breakthrough moves us towards a future where more babies can arrive safely, at the right time.
We’ll be returning for a fourth series of The Borne Podcast very soon, but until then we wanted to bring you some of the best bits from series three, in handy bitesized chunks. We packed so much information, so many stories, and so many experts into the six episodes, we wanted to make sure you didn’t miss anything.
In this episode of Borne Bitesize, Ellie and Caro are joined by Zack George, known to millions of Gladiators fans as Steel. He lives in Leicester with his wife Samantha and daughter Ivy. In March 2025, their son, Leo, was born prematurely and spent 13 days in the neonatal intensive care unit at the Leicester Royal Infirmary before he died. Here, Zack shares his family’s experience in the NICU after Leo was born prematurely at just 23 weeks.
Zack and Samantha have launched a charity in Leo’s memory - Leo and Friends - which supports families facing the challenges of neonatal care, with practical resources and emotional support.
You can hear the full interview in episode six of series three of The Borne Podcast.
Listen to the full audio episode: https://pod.fo/e/415e9e
Watch the full video episode: https://youtu.be/zERVuLQlfIo?si=5cbS0TVJvhN1ssvG
Borne is a medical research charity dedicated to funding pioneering research and uniting scientists and doctors to advance our understanding of pregnancy, identifying risks of preterm birth, and developing groundbreaking ways to prevent preterm labour before it begins.
By listening to The Borne Podcast, you're not only gaining valuable insights but also supporting our vital cause. Consider contributing to our efforts by donating to Borne today at borne.org.uk/donate. Your generosity fuels our research and brings us one step closer to answers.
A heartfelt thank you to our dedicated hosts, Professor Mark Johnson, Caro Tasker, Ellie Gibson, and producer Laura Grimshaw, for their unwavering commitment and passion in bringing The Borne Podcast to life.
For further information about Borne, visit borne.org.uk. Follow us on social media:
- Twitter: @BorneCharity
- Facebook: @BorneCharity
- Instagram: @BorneCharity
- TikTok: @BorneCharity
- LinkedIn: Borne
Our hosts:
- Ellie Gibson: @itsmeelliegibson @scummymummies
- Caro Tasker: @spikey
- Professor Mark Johnson
Support is always available. Explore the following resources for additional help and guidance:
- Mental Health Support: mind.org.uk/information-support/types-of-mental-health-problems/postnatal-depression-and-perinatal-mental-health/about-perinatal-mental-health-problems/
- NICE Guidelines for follow-up of children born pre-term: nice.org.uk/guidance/ng72/chapter/Recommendations
- NICE Guidelines for preterm pregnancy & birth: nice.org.uk/guidance/ng25
- NHS Pregnancy: nhs.uk/pregnancy/
- NHS Premature Birth: nhs.uk/pregnancy/labour-and-birth/signs-of-labour/premature-labour-and-birth/
- NHS NICU Guidance: nhs.uk/pregnancy/labour-and-birth/after-the-birth/special-care-ill-or-premature-babies/
Tune in, learn, and make a difference with The Borne Podcast. Together, let’s shape a healthier future for generations to come.
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