Born on The Rock: Gibraltar Birth Stories

KEY TOPICS: 5 pregnancies, missed miscarriages, second trimester loss, birth trauma, retained placenta, D&C, cervical lip, assisted delivery, autism, thyroiditis, pandemic

Angelique Cavilla describes her parenting journey involving five pregnancies and her three sons… so please note this episode contains discussion of loss, including the second trimester.

Angelique and her husband were expecting their first baby in 2013. It was a good pregnancy, although the induced delivery of their little boy was tricky with Angelique’s cervical lip. Over time, she noticed her son’s development differed from other babies, and he received a diagnosis of autism as a toddler.

Angelique’s second pregnancy in 2016 went well, with a delivery similar to her first although more intense. Their second son was born quickly and Angelique recovered well. Despite nights of poor sleep and communication issues with her eldest, she expressed the feeling: “I’m not done yet.” However the journey to reach their third child saw two devastating losses – in the pandemic year of 2020.

At almost 16 weeks the couple’s world fell apart at a gender scan, when instead, they discovered no heartbeat. It’s a harrowing description of traumatic delivery… while background TV’s announced lockdown. Angeliques explains the cruelty of a ‘missed miscarriage,’ – when the body gives no sign that a pregnancy has ended weeks before – and the hardest part: explaining to her young sons.

Social distancing meant Angelique’s recovery was lonely, while working and home-schooling. It was a bleak time, made harder by the discovery of another missed miscarriage at 8 weeks. A rollercoaster of emotions followed – and another pregnancy. Thankfully Angelique reached full-term, before a difficult labour and forceps delivery of her longed-for son.

We discuss the bond between her boys, family life, plus coping with health anxiety and physical repercussions after her births and losses. Angelique hope her story of a 'rainbow baby' shows that hope can exist after loss. I’m very grateful to Angelique for so honestly sharing her Gibraltar Birth Stories (Recorded March 2026).

If you've been affected by topics in this episode, please find local support online: Baby STEPPs (Support Through Early Parenthood & Pregnancies) Gibraltar
or with https://gibsams.gi for a free confidential listening service.

More support is available at: https://www.tommys.org/ and https://www.sands.org.uk/
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KEY TOPICS: 2 births, non-identical twins, caesarean, ulcerative colitis, pandemic

During her twin pregnancy, local artist Kyrane had other double trouble to contend with: her own autoimmune disorder and the pandemic.

Kyrane and her husband were childhood sweethearts who married in 2018 – and when they conceived, her bump showed quickly! There’s a humorous description of the moment the couple discovered they were expecting not one, but two babies. The pregnancy also had a surprising effect on Kyrane’s existing ulcerative colitis: her often debilitating chronic inflammatory bowel condition.

As Kyrane entered her second trimester… the world entered lockdown. She describes cancelled appointments in 2020 with restrictions and isolation, at a time when most expectant mothers are enjoying family contact. Happily she made it to full-term and her non-identical twin boys arrived safely – although she had a difficult recovery from the elective caesarean.

The boys were well, though Kyrane later describes a dramatic health scare with one, plus a serious UC flare up that saw her hospitalised for a month, when her boys were still babies. She talks about these frightening incidents in such an engaging way, and we have a great chat about the boys’ bond, and her strong family support.

Fun fact – Kyrane is the daughter of our guest from episode 47! 🤩How amazing to hear the baby from that story all grown up, and describing her own babies now! Thanks so much Kyrane, for sharing your twin Gibraltar Birth Stories (Recorded February 2026).
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KEY TOPICS: 3 births, PCOS, low PAPP-A, meconium, natural delivery, advanced maternal age, nuchal hand, precipitous labour, infant feeding coach

Our guest Karen Kelly is passionate about supporting nursing parents on the Rock! Karen is registered with the Federation of Antenatal Educators (FEDANT) and is working through her advanced professional qualification with the Association of Breastfeeding Mothers (ABM), with a view to become a certified lactation consultant.

Karen shares her own three birth stories: the first in a busy UK hospital with a challenging and lengthy induced labour, followed by her further two daughters born quickly - and without pain relief! – here in Gibraltar 🇬🇮

She shares why she thought she may not be able to have a baby, and the emotions in discovering pregnancy for the first time in 2019. Karen felt pressured into having a medicalised birth, and endured a 52-hour labour in an overstretched London hospital with her concerned husband by her side. She describes the experience as ‘horrendous,’ and recovery difficult, although praises the breastfeeding support she received.

The family relocated back to the Rock in 2022, and another low-risk pregnancy followed. Karen’s description of this natural labour is fascinating, with euphoria as her second daughter arrived. An unusual incident made her suspect she was pregnant for the third time, due in 2025. Karen experienced more tiredness in her late 30’s, before her third child arrived in an unusual position, after an intense and fast labour.

We chat about the emotive topic of breastfeeding – tongue tie, latch, expressing and relactation, plus the importance of good community support for maternal mental health. Thank you Karen for sharing your clear passion for this topic, and for helping others!

Find more on Instagram at: @infant_feeding_matters
https://www.gbc.gi/news/breastfeeding-support-group-opens-its-doors-in-march
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Season 4 of the podcast is complete! 🙌

Hear a summary trailer of our wonderful guests, who told their unique birth experiences across episodes 41 - 52.
12 local mothers bravely shared their birth stories in their own words, with fascinating topics and perspectives.
Deeply emotional, educational, surprising, amusing and inspirational... these stories are told by women living right here in Gibraltar!

💜 12 episodes (January - March 2026)
💜 Over 15 hours of audio
💜 Stories from 1989 - 2025
💜 27 babies!

Birth is so intimate and life-changing... your experience is unique.
Want to share your story? Contact Lucinda: [email protected]

Thank you for listening, and join us for Season 5 starting in May 2026!

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KEY TOPICS: 3 births, caesarean, hyperemesis, diastasis recti, doctor, pandemic

Local doctor, author and campaigner Meenal Viz changed UK law during the pandemic… while starting her family! This driven mum-of-three is passionate about positive change, shares her motherhood journey in this end-of-season special.

Meenal discovered she was pregnant while working for the NHS with her doctor husband… as the pandemic hit. She was profoundly affected by the death of a fellow pregnant medical worker amid conflicting Covid advice, and campaigned against inadequate protection for healthcare workers. Meenal staged a solo protest outside 10 Downing Street... while 6-and-a-half months pregnant.

The couple's first daughter was born by caesarean in 2020, in over-stretched conditions with Covid restrictions. Breastfeeding was initially difficult, and Meenal spent lonely postpartum months working on her legal challenge and coping with - rather than enjoying - motherhood.

The couple moved back to Gibraltar in 2023 when Meenal was in the third trimester of her second pregnancy. She juggled more sickness while parenting and writing her book. She had a far more positive CS birth, feeling safe and respected – Meenal speaks highly of the midwives, and began to enjoy motherhood more.

A third pregnancy in 2024 brought challenges - hospital admissions for worsening hyperemesis, Covid, plus caring for two young children! Meenal felt this pregnancy passed in a blur, before another positive CS birth experience.

We have an interesting chat about her Indian Hindu heritage and relationship with her own mother, as well as the importance of supporting new mothers and speaking up for creating positive change. Thank you Dr Meenal for sharing your inspirational birth stories! (Recorded February 2026).

Instagram: https://www.meenalviz.com/
Book: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Power-Protest-Healthcare-Meenal-Viz/dp/1839978414
GibTalks: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYx3dvu9-CU
GBC: https://www.gbc.gi/news/gibraltarian-doctor-shares-story-of-ppe-protest-during-pandemic
UK news: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/apr/24/doctor-couple-challenge-uk-government-on-ppe-risks-to-bame-staff
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