Episode 12: A Very Small Age-Gap, with Justine Fava-Cartwright

KEY TOPICS: 2 births, premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), infertility treatment, emergency & elective caesarean, 13-month age gap, suspected postnatal depression

In this episode we meet our first 1990's babies, born to Justine Fava-Cartwright and her ex-partner. They faced fertility struggles due to Justine's hormonal imbalances and erratic cycles... in later life she was diagnosed with premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). Justine highlights the emotions involved when facing challenges to become pregnant. Soon after starting Clomid treatment, she conceived! Justine had a good pregnancy, but a difficult and lengthy labour resulting in an emergency caesarean under general anaesthetic. She explains how the experience left her feeling 'robbed,' and impacted her initial bonding with her first son. Combined with the 90's stigma about being "too posh to push," it lead to suspected postnatal depression.

There's some humour as Justine describes the moment she discovered she was pregnant again... when her first baby was just 4 months old! This time the birth was a far more positive experience, as her second son arrived by elective caesarean. Justine talks about the tough juggling act of adjusting to life with twin-like toddlers, while also returning to work with limited childcare. She openly admits feeling pushed to her mental health limit during those early years, yet reflects on the positives of a small age gap and a supportive ex-partner.

This episode concludes with a discussion of what it's like to parent grown-ups and enter grandparent territory, plus the continued special bond between the two brothers. There's poignant, emotional moments and funny anecdotes throughout this chat, and I'm grateful to Justine for so honestly sharing her Gibraltar Birth Stories! Recorded January 2025

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