Born on The Rock: Gibraltar Birth Stories

KEY TOPICS: 2 births, natural delivery, phenylketonuria (PKU), genetics, pandemic

Welcome to an educational episode with mum of two, Stephanie Marzan. She describes parenting a child with PKU - a rare metabolic disorder affecting just 1 in 15,000 babies, where too much protein can lead to irreversible brain damage.

Stephanie became pregnant easily and had a good pregnancy in 2017. She was induced and had a long labour, before their daughter arrived safely at almost 42 weeks - however, just days later the couple received a call to say their baby's heel-prick test result showed a serious issue. More blood tests followed over several weeks, with an emergency trip to Evelina Children's Hospital, before they finally received a diagnosis of phenylketonuria (PKU).

Stephanie explains the complex steps she faces daily, to keep her daughter on a strict diet of low phenylalanine - an amino acid commonly found in high protein foods and artificial sweetener. Weaning required training by a dietician, and Stephanie became an expert at reading food labels, navigating party bags and restaurants - even carrying scales in her bag to measure food. The pandemic made things harder for the family to source foods, leading to costly bulk shipments. We discuss the impact on family life and work, and how Stephanie successfully lobbied local medical authorities to get a specialist medication made available in Gibraltar 💪

And then: another pregnancy! This journey in 2021 was trickier with pain and weekly monitoring through the third trimester, before another induction and natural delivery. The heel-prick test for their second daughter was clear; an experience most new parents take for granted. We discuss how their younger daughter understands PKU dietary restrictions, the difficulty in planning logistics around hobbies, plus the vital role of support from family and friends. It's an honest and powerful story of true parental devotion - thank you Stephanie for bravely sharing your two Gibraltar birth stories (Recorded January 2026).
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KEY TOPICS: 2 births, miscarriage, subchorionic hematoma (SCH), bicornuate uterus, symphysis pubis dysfunction (SPD), natural delivery, retained placenta, postpartum hemorrhage (PPH), pandemic

Welcome to a bumper episode with Layla Bates! This mum of two tells her eventful motherhood journey, step-by-step and in honest detail. She and her partner had a uncertain start to their first pregnancy, with the baby not visible on the scan partly due to the shape of Layla's uterus, and a large hematoma that caused worrying bleeding into the second trimester.

Although their daughter was born safely, Layla hemorrhaged and required surgery for retained placenta. Combined with the pandemic, it was an eventful time as the couple adjusted to family life! We chat about balancing work and childcare after maternity leave.

Sadly, the couple had two miscarriages in the following years. Please note there are graphic descriptions that some listeners may find difficult to hear. Layla highlights a meaningful 'sign' before discovering her fourth pregnancy. Deemed high-risk, she was monitored closely with use of progesterone, aspirin and bedrest due to pelvic pain and low-lying placenta. She faced anxious decisions about her birth plan, though happily this labour was a far more ‘textbook’ experience; her daughter arrived quickly and without complications.

We discuss the bond between her daughters, Layla’s seemingly changed uterus shape after pregnancies, and excitingly – the couples’ upcoming wedding! Layla hopes her story is encouraging to other women who might have uterine anomalies, bleeding through pregnancy or face miscarriage. Thank you Layla, for sharing your story! (Recorded January 2026).
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KEY TOPICS: 2 births, miscarriage, natural delivery, big baby, ovarian ectopic pregnancy (OEP), breast cancer (DCIS)

Welcome to our first guest formally recognised on the New Year's Honours list for her trailblazing local charity work! Isobel Ellul was made Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE) for services to the community - most notably setting up Breast Cancer Support Gibraltar. This is a rollercoaster story of Isobel's journey into parenthood, whilst overcoming several of her own health challenges.

Isobel grew up during the closed Frontier times, before becoming pregnant in the mid-1990's. Very sadly she experienced two miscarriages at 9 & 13 weeks, and recalls specific details of that time. Happily a third pregnancy saw the safe natural delivery of her son in 1997. Isobel found that working postpartum (as a former GBC TV presenter!) was good for her mental health.

Two years later, a doctor saved Isobel's life by recognising signs of an ectopic pregnancy. With surgery, she expected her fertility to be impacted... but went on to welcome a Millennium baby! Local TV audiences saw her grow bigger across the pregnancy, before her second son was born with a much easier labour.

Isobel discovered a cancerous lump in her breast, while the boys were still very young. She speaks candidly about her mastectomy, recovery, bringing her sons to awareness-raising events, and lobbying Government to establish screening processes and support. Serious spinal surgery and a second breast cancer diagnosis followed years later, which she overcame.

We chat about being a parent to adults, the importance of self-care and checking your breasts, and her positive mindset approach to life's challenges. Thank you Isobel for sharing your Gibraltar Birth Stories in this fascinating, empowering episode! (Recorded January 2026).

For support, please see https://breastcancergib.com
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KEY TOPICS: 4 births, natural deliveries, nuchal cord, late miscarriage, birth trauma, functional neurological disorder

Please note there is discussion of loss in this emotional episode of two halves, as we meet brave local mother Vanessa Correa who describes her four birth experiences.

Vanessa begins by fondly recalling how she was engaged, married and a mother... all by the age of 20. She and her husband welcomed their first baby after a good pregnancy and long labour, in the summer of 2004. They settled into family life, although Vanessa shares some funny anecdotes of how their son never seemed to sleep!

Soon after, the couple discovered they were expecting again. After another straightforward pregnancy and long labour, their second son was born in 2006. We chat about what it's like to raise teens and young adults with differing personalities.

At the start of 2013, Vanessa and her husband were devastated by the spontaneous late miscarriage of their third baby, a little girl at 21 weeks. She speaks bravely about trying to come to terms with grief, with no obvious answers... and factors that made the situation worse. Later that same year, the unthinkable happened - another late miscarriage, another little girl, this time at 19 weeks. It's an incredibly difficult listen as Vanessa describes insensitive comments and a lack of counselling, as she and her husband supported each other in their darkest grief - while continuing to parent their young sons.

Although very rare, late miscarriages do happen in 2-3% of pregnancies... and it's Vanessa's hope that sharing her story may offer support to others grieving the loss of a child. She spoke so bravely about her parenting journey and the longer-term physical impacts, including her functional neurological disorder potentially linked to the stress of her birth trauma. This episode honours the memory of Vanessa's two daughters (Recorded January 2026).

If you've been affected by topics raised in this episode, please find support at:

GibSams by free phone 116 123, Whatsapp 56003612 or online: gibsams.gi/
BabyStepps (Support Through Early Parenthood & Pregnancy): www.facebook.com/babystepps.gibraltar/
Sands: www.sands.org.uk
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KEY TOPICS: 2 births, caesarean, nuchal cord, jaundice, ABO incompatibility, haemolytic disease of newborn (HDN), blood transfusion, grandmother

We’re heading back to the late 80’s today, with Ivana Finlayson and her husband – both nurses at the old St Bernard’s hospital. It’s a dramatic and emotional listen for the second half of our story.

Ivana was a young mother with a good pregnancy, and her son was born on his actual due date! She required a caesarean with both of her children – at a time when these were carried out under general anaesthetic. She returned to work two months postpartum, and speaks about a special bond with her own mother.

By 1991, Ivana was expecting again. Soon after the birth, her baby’s health deteriorated due to differing blood types between mother and baby (ABO incompatibility now rarely presents complications, thanks to advances in early detection).

She describes a traumatic few days as her daughter’s jaundice worsened; she became so poorly that a priest was called. Just two days postpartum, Ivana took a flight to King’s College Hospital, terrified by warnings that her baby might die. She remembers emergency care being excellent, as staff discovered the shocking reason her daughter hadn’t improved in Gibraltar.

Back on the Rock, Ivana adjusted to life with a newborn and toddler… while taking her nursing exams. She feels that navigating her daughter’s near-fatal experience made her a more empathetic nurse, and she describes a touching ‘full-circle’ moment towards the end of our chat. It was lovely to hear Ivana’s advice to her younger self, as well what it’s like to be a grandmother. Thank you Ivana for sharing your two Gibraltar Birth Stories (Recorded December 2025).
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