Born on The Rock: Gibraltar Birth Stories

KEY TOPICS: 2 births, post-pandemic, natural delivery, posterior labour, mastitis

“My frontal lobe wasn’t fully developed!” That’s how local teacher Samantha Thorne reflects on a shock pregnancy discovery with her then-boyfriend in her early 20’s. She was just starting her career, and candidly describes some honest emotions in this week’s episode – as well as two completely different birth experiences.

At the age of 22, Samantha was only months into a new teaching role she loved, and rebuilding her social life after the pandemic… when she learned in an unconventional way that she was pregnant. Blindsided by the revelation, it took some time to process before telling her partner. Was she really ready for this?

Samantha describes how the shock news caused ripples within their family and friend groups – and how increasingly isolating she found the pregnancy as everyone else went about their normal lives, while her body and future were changing fast. Some people love being pregnant, but Samantha is candid about hating how poorly it made her feel. She’s a huge advocate for exercise and found this a valuable tool for both her physical health in labour, and mental health postpartum.

After a quick labour, Samantha’s son was born safely. She faced breastfeeding struggles and overwhelm, but found support from other mothers in an unexpected place. The baby’s arrival also brought a shift with her partner: the reality saw him quickly embrace fatherhood and step-up. They married a few years later, and Samantha found a sweet way to tell her husband they were expecting again.

The second pregnancy was difficult with sickness, and the labour was harder as the baby was in a back-to-back position. Samantha credits her own fitness stamina and midwife support for narrowly avoiding a caesarean, and shares an anecdote about choosing the baby’s name.

Postpartum felt more healing this time with Samantha’s increased confidence in asking for help, plus a smiley ‘easy’ baby. She outlines things she did differently – and how this birth was met with less shock and more joy all round! Thanks Samantha for sharing how parenthood can find you – ready or not! (Recorded July 2026).

Art in Movement Dance Classes: https://www.facebook.com/artinmovementgibraltar
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KEY TOPICS: 4 births, natural deliveries, short age gaps, chicken pox, Down’s Syndrome

We’re heading to the 1980’s in this week’s episode, with former MOD Early Year’s Coordinator Annette Zammit, her husband and their four children. The couple had two girls and two boys – with their youngest born with Down’s Syndrome. She speaks with resilience and positivity about her motherhood journey, and work co-founding the Gibraltar Down’s Syndrome Support Group (GDSSG).
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Annette married her husband at 18yrs old, and after a straightforward pregnancy a few years later their first daughter was born on the Rock in 1979 and both recovered well. In 1985 they were studying and working in the UK when their second little girl was born in a hospital there - Annette describes differing maternity practices and how exotic their daughter seemed compared to other babies! Juggling studies alongside her toddler, life was busy when a critical situation struck just one month postpartum: her newborn caught chicken pox.

Annette cites a study placement with a UK family that would have a poignant bearing on her own future parenting. The couple returned to the Rock again and welcomed their third child by fast delivery: a son born in 1987. While working, moving house and learning to drive – another pregnancy came along in 1988!

Scans and anomaly tests were not commonplace in Gibraltar then, though Annette felt that the pregnancy was different somehow. She describes reactions when it became clear at birth that her son had Down’s Syndrome – and how negative medical outlooks contrasted with her family’s positive acceptance and support. It’s a real insight to the practicalities of parenting a child with additional needs alongside other young children, and how a chance conversation about housing turned the family’s fortunes around.

Annette emphasises the importance of seeing the person, not the disability – and how those with Down’s Syndrome can live satisfying lives and reach their full potential. She's spent years raising awareness by co-founding the Gibraltar Down’s Syndrome Support Group (GDSSG). I’m so grateful to Annette for sharing her motherhood journey! (Recorded June 2026).

Find more support here:
https://www.facebook.com/DSSGG/
gibraltardisabilitysociety.com
https://possabilities-gib.com/
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/downs-syndrome
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KEY TOPICS: 2 pregnancies, induction, assisted delivery, natural delivery, mastitis, post-pandemic, cervical cancer

It’s a powerful episode to start Season 6 with local journalist and co-founder of 'Little English' language school, Sophie Clifton-Tucker Hedley. She recounts the births of her two young sons... and what it’s like when abnormal smear tests threaten your future as a new mother.

Sophie travelled around the world with her husband, before setting up the Rock’s first language school ‘Little English,’ – you could say it was their first baby! In 2022 they discussed starting a family – and became pregnant very quickly.

Sophie had a good pregnancy journey, but went past her due date. There are some candid moments of humour as she describes the start of labour, and how birth plans can change! After an induction and long labour, there were concerns over mother and baby’s heart rates before her little boy was born safely by assisted delivery.

Sophie is very open about the emotional rollercoaster after having a baby, and the difficult process of establishing breastfeeding. She describes the invaluable support of her husband, and other mothers in guiding and building confidence as she recovered.

With her second pregnancy, Sophie describes a much faster labour for the birth of her youngest son in 2025. We discuss growing confidence, plus what it’s like introducing a toddler to their new sibling. However, her recovery was overshadowed by painful recurring mastitis… and abnormal smear test results.

At just five months postpartum, the couple’s world came crashing down with Sophie’s diagnosis of stage 1 cervical cancer. She speaks honestly about the treatments, tests and procedures to reach an all-clear, just months before this recording.

We highlight the importance of awareness, early detection and attending smear tests – with encouragement and tips to make it easier! Sophie considers words of advice she would give herself as a new mum - and expresses gratitude for her husband’s support. Thank you Sophie for sharing her motherhood journey with her two Gibraltar Birth Stories! (Recorded June 2026).
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To book a smear test through the GHA, call the Cervical Screening team on 5600 4698
Find more info at https://www.gha.gi/public-health/cervical-screening/
Eve Appeal Gynaelogical Cancers Charity: https://eveappeal.org.uk/
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📢 SEASON 5 of the podcast is complete! 🙌

No time to listen, but want to hear what the stories are about? Play the Season 5 trailer now!
*Please note, this audio contains mention of baby loss*

Brave local mothers told their unique birth stories over:

💜 11 episodes (April to July 2026)
💜 15 hours of audio
💜 From the 1980's to last year
💜 22 babies born!

We love capturing these life-changing stories and building a powerful local library. GBC's 'Born on the Rock' podcast aims to provide a supportive resource for our community and beyond, normalising real conversations around parenthood. There's a huge range of topics covered... do any match your pregnancy experience?

Thanks for listening, and to our guests for sharing!
Do you want to be part of Season 6? Email Lucinda: bornontherock@gbc.gi
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KEY TOPICS: 4 pregnancies, miscarriage, hyperemesis gravidarum, genetic testing, IVF, secondary infertility, caesarean, female sterilisation

To complete Season 5, I’m thrilled to welcome back our first ever returning guest! Former nurse Tara Montegriffo recorded her daughter's birth story in November 2024 as part of Season 1. At that stage, she and her husband faced secondary infertility and a very uncertain future, as they tried to grow their family.

After the couple welcomed their daughter in 2021, they suffered two devastating losses – one in the second trimester, due to a genetic condition. As time passed without conceiving, they embarked on IVF treatment at a fertility clinic in Spain... and in this episode, Tara walks us through what happened next.

She describes the medical stages and genetic testing process, plus lifestyle approaches. Despite successfully becoming pregnant, Tara was unable to get excited due to first-hand experience of miscarriage... and the return of an old ‘friend’ – hyperemesis gravidarum. Her description of debilitating sickness and nausea is powerful – rendering her bed-bound and vomiting up to 30 times a day. She felt deep guilt at being unable to care for her daughter, and researched strong medications in a bid to manage the condition.

We discuss the huge contrast between an emergency and a planned caesarean, before the safe arrival of the couple’s second daughter in December 2025. Tara allowed herself a slower, more peaceful recovery too. We have an honest chat about introducing an older child to a new baby, and family planning decisions too.

Despite significant physical, emotional and financial challenges, it's encouraging to hear how Tara navigated secondary infertility and completed her family… as we complete season 5 of the podcast. I’m so grateful to Tara for returning to share the second chapter of her Gibraltar Birth Stories! (Recorded June 2026).
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