Born on The Rock: Gibraltar Birth Stories

KEY TOPICS: 3 births, natural delivery, baby loss, stillbirth, retained placenta, fetal growth restriction, induction, jaundice, Gilbert’s syndrome

This episode was published on Baby Loss Awareness Day, globally known as the 'Wave of Light.' It’s an incredibly difficult story that is almost too painful to hear, but told so eloquently by brave local mother of three, Noelle Aldorino. In this episode she addresses the taboo topic of stillbirth, honours her daughter's memory and offers hope describing a ‘rainbow baby,’ – a child born after loss.

*Please carefully consider where you choose to listen to this highly emotional episode.*
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Noelle's first pregnancy in 2015 was straightforward, with her first daughter born after a lengthy labour. She describes overwhelm adjusting to motherhood, especially as the first in a friend group to have a baby. She later became a single mother and went on to meet her current partner Justin: 'some people are just born to be Dads.'

Noelle's second pregnancy saw her guide Justin through development stages and scans, as they excitedly prepared to meet their baby in 2024. But just days before the due date, their world changed forever when no heartbeat was found. Beyond devasted, Noelle gave birth to a daughter she would never hear cry.

After surgery to remove retained placenta, Justin and midwives gently guided Noelle to meeting baby Rhiane. She praises the compassion of maternity staff throughout. In deep physical and emotional pain, the couple left hospital empty-handed except for items by local parenthood support charity, Baby STEPPs.

Heart-broken herself, Noelle sensitively broke the news to her young daughter. The couple arranged Rhiane's funeral… around what should have been her due date. Noelle describes widespread tributes as the community rallied to show support.

The family navigated grief together and marked the first anniversary of their loss, before happily, in 2025 another pregnancy followed. Noelle was closely monitored and hyper-vigilant: ‘I was obsessed!’ until the safe induced arrival of their little girl by a good, fast labour. Treatment for jaundice uncovered a harmless inherited condition.

This is a profound story of unimaginable sadness… and yet there are moments of joy and laughter around happier parenting moments. There are several references to strong family support too. I’m so grateful to Noelle for bravely sharing her motherhood journey, with her three Gibraltar Birth Stories (Recorded September 2026).

If you’ve been affected by issues in this episode, please find support at:

Baby STEPPs (Support Through Early Parenthood & Pregnancies) Gibraltar
https://www.facebook.com/BABYSTEPPSGIB/
GibSams: https://gibsams.gi or call free: 116 123
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KEY TOPICS: 1 birth, infertility, emergency CS, postnatal depression, hyperlactation

Gabriella Luque accepted that her future would be childless, being told as a teenager that she faced infertility. So becoming pregnant and crowned 'mummy,' turned her world upside down! It's an episode of modelling to her daughter personal growth... and modelling as First Princess for Mrs Gibraltar and Mrs Europe 2026 👑🇬🇮
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Gabriella wasn't always confident - at school she felt bullied and self conscious. As a teenager with irregular cycles, she was advised that she was infertile due to effects of essential medication. She came to terms with this news, and in her early twenties met her partner.

Within just months she discovered she was pregnant - a massive shock for the expectant parents with opposite reactions! Gabriella describes self-doubt and disbelief, while juggling her new job and exercise to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Her labour became difficult, and a week before her due date in 2022 her daughter was born by emergency caesarean. Pospartum, Gabriella experienced painful engorgement that left her housebound, before her breastfeeding journey abruptly stopped.

We have an interesting chat about the psychological impact of motherhood too, as Gabriella struggled with feeling connected or if she was doing things 'right.'

With the support of her partner who already had a child, Gabriella's confidence grew and she entered the Mrs Gibraltar pageant...then Mrs Europe, being crowned First Princess in both! This was an inspiring chat about how mothers can feel guilty for pursuing self-care, yet how it supports good mental health which is so important to model for the next generation 💜

Thanks Gabriella for sharing this positive birth story about a very special little princess! (Recorded August 2026).

https://www.facebook.com/GBCNewsroom/posts/flying-the-gibraltar-flag-congratulations-to-gabriella-luque-for-being-crowned-1/1700513095408994/
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KEY TOPICS: 2 births, natural delivery, recurrent miscarriage, second trimester loss, reflux, grandmother, 1980's

From Geraldine Finlayson’s textbook first pregnancy, labour and easy baby, to becoming a doting grandmother, there’s a real sense of gratitude running through this episode… despite several devasting miscarriages inbetween. Her motherhood journey took her from love to loss – but then to HOPE: a group she founded to offer support to other parents after miscarriage and stillbirth.
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Married at 19 years old, Geraldine and her husband discovered they were expecting soon after trying to start a family. She fondly describes an enjoyable straightforward pregnancy before a fast labour with a good midwife. Geraldine felt no real ‘pain’ for her natural delivery.

There’s humour in her descriptions of gender-appropriate clothing of the time, and learning to changing nappies. She had good family support, and established breastfeeding, though we discuss her baby’s reflux and advice that helped build Geraldine's confidence. Plus, what it’s like to have an ‘easy’ baby that sleeps well and cries little!

In the years that followed, Geraldine sadly suffered recurrent miscarriages… each coming as a devasting blow. She describes a final crushing experience: a second trimester loss. *Please note that Geraldines description of her last baby’s birth is a difficult listen ⚠️

We discuss the impossible task of telling their son, and how isolating grief can be when you’re trying to be strong for others. Determined to turn her pain into purpose, Geraldine founded the Catholic Church’s HOPE group to support others facing baby loss, and offer a confidential listening service.

We finish on a high as she describes the pure joy of becoming a doting grandmother. I’m so grateful to Geraldine for sharing her Gibraltar Birth Stories (Recorded August 2026). 💜

Call HOPE on: 200 418 17
Find support at BABYSTEPPS
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KEY TOPICS: 2 births, emergency caesarean, VBAC, 1980's

We’re going back to the 1980’s this week for the births of two boys, to Conchita Triay and her husband. The experiences were completely different, but equally challenging. There’s some lovely support referenced in this episode, and generational changes discussed too.
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Former teacher Conchita was in her early 30's when she married her husband in 1986, and we have a fun chat about their unconventional wedding. One of six children herself, she didn’t dream of motherhood but rather assumed she would start a family.

Conchita had a straightforward first pregnancy, but a difficult labour that led to an emergency caesarean – for which she felt underprepared. She describes the (then-routine) enema as torture, a violent awakening from anaesthetic, followed by a brutal recovery in how stiches were removed.

Thankfully Conchita describes great support from her sister and late mother… although nothing eases an unsettled non-sleeping baby! She navigated exhaustion and breastfeeding logistics as she returned to the classroom, at a time when mothers only received 12 weeks maternity leave: 'you just had to get on with it.'

In 1989 Conchita experienced another straightforward pregnancy, followed by a vaginal birth after the previous caesarean (VBAC). Although less invasive, the experience was no less gruelling - although this time Conchita’s second son proved to be an ‘easier’ baby.

She reflects on how becoming a mother is life-changing: ‘you’re no longer the most important person in your life.’ We discuss resilience, changing societal norms and parenting values, as well as advice she would go back and give herself. I’m so grateful to Conchita for sharing this honest insight to her two Gibraltar Birth Stories (Recorded July 2026).

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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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