Born on The Rock: Gibraltar Birth Stories

• Season Two Trailer: Meet Our Guests

  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] 'Born on the Rock: Gibraltar Birth Stories' on Facebook and Instagram for more Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  --------  

  8:35
• Episode 25: A SURROGACY SPECIAL, with Stephanie Galea

  KEY TOPICS: 1 birth, MRKH syndrome, genetics, infertility, IVF, surrogacy, pandemicTo 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-publishedFind 'Born on the Rock: Gibraltar Birth Stories' on Facebook and Instagram for more Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  --------  

  1:37:40
• Episode 24: Pre & Postnatal Pilates, with Charlotte Bailey

  KEY TOPICS: 2 births, miscarriages, pre-eclampsia, caesareans, prolapsed bladder, pandemic, autism parent, expatWe 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.comInstagram: corelife_bycharlotteEmail: [email protected] 'Born on the Rock: Gibraltar Birth Stories' on Facebook and Instagram for more Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  --------  

  1:01:39
• Episode 23: Nurturing Noughties Babies, with Claire Hernandez

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

  --------  

  1:29:15
• Episode 22: An Early Girl, with Louise Ann

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

  --------  

  1:15:25

Más podcasts de Niños y familia

Podcasts a la moda de Niños y familia

Acerca de Born on The Rock: Gibraltar Birth Stories

Born on The Rock: Gibraltar Birth Stories: Podcasts del grupo