​KEY TOPICS: 1 birth, infertility, natural delivery, endometriosis

​Meet Andrea Sene - who's son was just five months old at the time of this recording! She describes him as a miracle baby, and here on the podcast, we LOVE hearing about miracle babies!

​Andrea endured years of mysterious pelvic pain through her early twenties, seemingly with gynaecological or urinary links. She was prescribed various antibiotics to treat suspected infections, chased medical investigations, and even considered that it might be cancer... before the cause was finally found.

​Endometriosis affects 1 in 10 women of reproductive age globally - and in Andrea's case it had compromised her kidney and several surrounding organs. She bravely underwent multiple surgeries and trips to the UK for specialist medical care. Andrea knew that with her menstrual cycle halted due to aggressive hormonal treatments, her chances of pregnancy were now almost nil.

​Recovering in 2025 and accepting that her future as a mother was in doubt, Andrea describes the moment she and her partner's worlds turned upside down! It's great to hear Andrea describe her positive pregnancy journey and good - if lengthy - labour: 'it was a lovely experience.'

​We chat about adjusting to breastfeeding, parenting teamwork and family support - plus the difficulty in identifying endometriosis. Andrea hopes her story might help others receive more timely treatment for this chronic condition, especially if they want to start a family. For more information, please see links below.

​Many thanks to Andrea for sharing her Gibraltar Birth Story! (Recorded September 2026).

Endometriosis support sites:

https://www.instagram.com/endometriosis.uk?obrf=bWxnbWlhY29iOTlq

https://www.instagram.com/the__endo__space?srtk=

https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1DUXpAwXjj/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Find 'Born on the Rock: Gibraltar Birth Stories' on Facebook and Instagram for more

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

KEY TOPICS: 1 birth, natural delivery, posterior labour, single mum, blended family

Suyenne Mauro knew she was pregnant in 2003 before taking any test.. as her body let her know! She and her then-partner were thrilled to learn that a little boy was on the way.

It was a good pregnancy and Suyenne felt well, but scan images concerned her. She speaks about mother's instinct, and a very difficult, lengthy labour. Her baby was in back-to-back position and both were distressed, but with skilful midwife manouvering, Suyenne dodged a caesarean section. Her little boy was born safely, and she vowed she would never go through childbirth again.

Her son was a very unsettled and hungry baby with allergies and respiratory issues emerging. We discuss those early months as Suyenne adjusted to motherhood, becoming a family of two as she split from her partner. She formed strong connections with other single parents, and had good family support in her son's life.

Suyenne speaks so well about that protective 'mama-bear' feeling, of wanting to do whatever it takes to care for your baby... even once they're adults! There's a lovely twist in our story as she describes becoming a blended family with her new partner's similar-aged grown children... just don't call her 'step mum!'

There's lots of honesty and positivity in this episode, and I'm grateful to Suyenne for sharing her Gibraltar Birth Story (Recorded September 2026).

Find 'Born on the Rock: Gibraltar Birth Stories' on Facebook and Instagram for more

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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

Find 'Born on the Rock: Gibraltar Birth Stories' on Facebook and Instagram for more

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.