Born on The Rock: Gibraltar Birth Stories

• Episode 35: British Forces Babies, with Laura Bradshaw

  KEY TOPICS: 3 births, PCOS, infertility, obesity, gestational diabetes, induction, assisted delivery, natural deliveries, short age-gap, Rh-negative blood, jaundice Laura Bradshaw and her military husband found themselves posted to Gibraltar in 2010, at a stage where they'd already been trying to start a family for a few years - unsuccessfully. Laura describes irregular cycles, polycystic ovaries and her weight as issues in not receiving more timely help with fertility treatment... but when this was finally prescribed, it proved very effective! Laura had a good pregnancy and felt well, but describes rising anxiety in her second trimester as she was repeatedly warned by military medical staff that she would have to return to the UK to give birth alone. Unhappy with this plan, she switched her care to the GHA and was instantly happier with a more attentive and caring approach, plus regular monitoring for her gestational diabetes. She describes a lengthy labour, induction and tricky assisted delivery as they welcomed their little boy, before spending a very happy year on the Rock as a family of three.Laura explains what it was like to discover a surprise second pregnancy soon afterwards, and to move from Gibraltar for their next posting while expecting! This time it was textbook pregnancy with a faster, spontaneous labour and natural delivery of their second son. Some years later (and while living in yet another location!) Laura became pregnant again with their daughter. But this journey was trickier due to nausea, gestational diabetes, a longer induced labour and a jaundice scare requiring specialist treatment.We chat about juggling care for three young children while far away from family, the military way of life, and the things Laura misses about Gibraltar (especially one detail about St Bernard's hospital!)... as well as the power of advocating for yourself and seeking support. This story was so interesting to record and I'm very grateful to Laura for adding a fascinating insight to the podcast, about giving birth on the Rock when it's not your permanent home! (Recorded August 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.

  --------  

  1:07:06

  --------

  1:07:06
• Episode 34: Placental Abruption, with Lesley Anne Viñales

  KEY TOPICS: 2 births, early miscarriages, subchorionic hematoma, hyperemesis, placental abruption, prematurity, emergency caesarean, pandemic, short age-gap, elective caesarean, blood transfusion, autism We're squeezing a huge range of topics into this fascinating episode, with Lesley Anne Viñales and her husband. This couple married young and took a relaxed approach to starting their family, but as the years passed with two sad early miscarriages, they began to think parenthood could be out of reach. Happily, they became pregnant... but as the pandemic hit! Lesley speaks about the challenges of being an expectant mother when the whole world locked down. At 33 weeks while in Spain, she felt increasing pain... followed by a sudden, heavy bleed. A frightening rush followed to get to Gibraltar, and thanks to the actions of a quick-thinking border officer, the couple reached St Bernard's quickly. It's an emotional listen as Lesley describes the blur of an emergency caesarean - her doctor detected life-threatening placental abruption, and safely delivered their daughter. Unusually for a premature baby, she didn't have to leave the Rock for specialist care. Lesley reflects on how different the outcome could have been. She healed well and they settled into family life in the summer of 2020. Then along came a second, unexpected pregnancy! Lesley explains the irony of the new baby's due date, and speaks about navigating gallbladder issues, another haematoma and more hyperemesis. She was monitored closely, and an elective caesarean was deemed the safest option. Their second daughter arrived healthy at full-term, and Lesley reflects on the two contrasting birth experiences, describing them as like 'night and day.' There's an interesting discussion about autism towards the end of this episode, and the parenting challenges that presents. She has been supported by family and Early Bird's nursery, and speaks so fondly about both her girls - their personalities really shine through! It's clear she and her husband are an incredibly strong team together, and I'm so grateful to Lesley for sharing her - remarkably different - birth stories (Recorded July 2025).Early Bird's Nursery information: https://www.stmartinsschoolgibraltar.com/our-school/early-birds-nurseryFind 'Born on the Rock: Gibraltar Birth Stories' on Facebook and Instagram for more Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  --------  

  1:53:13

  --------

  1:53:13
• Episode 33: To Rome, Baby! With Rochelle Ferreri

  KEY TOPICS: 1 birth, PCOS, adenomyosis/endometriosis, natural delivery, sciatica, miscarriage, multilingualism, advanced maternal age Benvenuti to an international episode of the podcast! We’re jetting between Gibraltar and Rome in this story, with local mum Rochelle Ferreri and her Italian husband. Rochelle sets the scene describing gynaecological issues from her from teenage years, with PCOS and debilitating painful periods. This was medically managed through her adult life, until the couple decided to start trying for a baby. Rochelle fell pregnant quickly in 2014, and found comfort spending time at the beach. Despite sickness and sciatica, she had a generally good pregnancy and a straightforward natural delivery on the Rock. Rochelle was supported by her mum and husband – who thankfully made it back in time from Italy for his son’s birth! She explains what it was like to travel with a newborn, highlighting both the exciting opportunities and challenges of bringing up a baby over a thousand miles away from family. Rochelle found a support network of other ex-pat parents, and emphasises the importance of creating connection in early parenthood. There's mention of a sad miscarriage in this episode, as Rochelle navigated medical investigations for her returning heavy periods approaching her forties. She shares the fertility information she wishes she’d known years ago, and we discuss the importance of listening to your body. There's an interesting chat about raising a child in a trilingual household, and her hopes for her son in the future. This was a really thought-provoking episode, and I’m very grateful to Rochelle - grazie! - for sharing her Gibraltar Birth Story (Recorded July 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.

  --------  

  43:46

  --------

  43:46
• Episode 32: Cryptic Pregnancies, with Claire Ellul

  KEY TOPICS: 2 births, teenage mother, short age gap, cryptic pregnancies, natural deliveriesWe're heading back to the late 1990's in this episode, to meet teenage sweethearts Claire Ellul and her then partner. Claire experienced very erratic periods, and on advice from her doctor she began medication to regulate her cycles. Some time later, she discovered she was pregnant... and already entering her third trimester! 😮 Claire describes the shock of this news and the absence of traditional early pregnancy symptoms. There's some humour with her mother-in-law's novel suggestion to confirm the pregnancy!Claire tried old wives' tales to facilitate the labour and had a good experience with a natural birth. She safely delivered her son in the summer of 1998, and got married (very!) soon afterwards. Claire describes money as tight, with the couple having made financial commitments before learning about their son. After returning to work, she discovered ANOTHER cryptic pregnancy late in her second trimester! Claire speaks about adjusting to welcoming a second baby, with cravings and a bump appearing as she neared her due date. Another good natural delivery followed in the summer of 1999, and the couple settled into life as a family of four... all this before Claire reached her 20th birthday!Her two sons share the same age for part of each year - we reflect on the realities of parenting a small age gap, and her whirlwind start to motherhood. Claire shares the advice she would give herself as a new mum, and reflects on what it's like to parent young adults now. I really enjoyed hearing this remarkable story, and I'm so grateful to Claire for sharing her two 'cryptic' birth stories! (Recorded July 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.

  --------  

  44:17

  --------

  44:17
• Episode 31: A Decade between Daughters, with Nicole Pizarro

  KEY TOPICS: 2 births, large age gap, nuchal cord, placenta banking, natural deliveries, post-natal anxiety, silent reflux, nut & egg allergies, advanced maternal age, gestational diabetes, placenta previa, breech, pandemicWe’re meeting qualified nurse Nicole Pizarro in this episode, a mum who’s two daughters were born 10 years apart. She describes a good first pregnancy, with parentcraft classes helping her feel more prepared for her daughter’s arrival in 2012… a rare example of a baby born on their actual due date!Nicole describes a natural delivery, the process of placenta stem cell retrieval, and then the difficult months that followed as she adjusted to a breastfeeding journey alongside silent reflux. She’s open about anxiety she experienced, and we discuss her daughter’s diagnosis of nut and egg allergies. It’s an educational listen as Nicole outlines many challenges across the years in keeping her little girl safe, and how it's changed her as a parent. She speaks fondly of the bond with her daughter, as well as navigating the pandemic and a wedding to her new partner.A much-wanted second pregnancy came along in 2023 with a fun gender reveal, and Nicole describes issues faced as an older mother approaching 40. There are positives though – her gestational diabetes was controlled, placenta previa resolved, and the baby turned from breech position before birth. A fast natural delivery followed, and Nicole speaks about what it’s like adjusting to a larger age gap, and the importance of support for mothers. I’m so grateful to Nicole for sharing her birth stories! (Recorded June 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.

  --------  

  1:37:54

  --------

  1:37:54

More Kids & Family podcasts

Trending Kids & Family podcasts

About Born on The Rock: Gibraltar Birth Stories

Born on The Rock: Gibraltar Birth Stories: Podcasts in Family