Episode 14: Home Births, Unplanned! With Jo Abergel

KEY TOPICS: 3 births, PCOS, hyperemesis gravidarum, caesarean, VBAC, precipitous labour, premature, home births

Jo Abergel and her husband are parents to three children, born in 2002, 2005 and 2011. After over a year of trying for a baby and investigations that identified PCOS, the couple conceived when they least expected! A serious issue throughout all of Jo’s journeys was the severe and debilitating vomiting she experienced – plus anti-sickness treatments that left her almost bed-bound by her third pregnancy.

Jo’s first birth was an elective caesarean turned emergency, when spontaneous labour began at 38 weeks. She recovered well and had strong family support after the birth of her son. Her next two babies were born prematurely at 34 and 35 weeks… coincidentally, both at home and quickly on the couple’s bathroom floor! Jo recalls feeling very little pain as her husband helped deliver both babies, while waiting for the ambulance to arrive. It's a remarkable listen!

There’s high drama and humour in this episode, plus a glimpse of the old St Bernard's hospital as everything transferred to the current premises with Jo's second baby. She mentions instances of Jewish faith traditions within her parenting journey, lots of family support, and is full of praise for the hospital staff too. Thanks for sharing these fascinating birth stories, Jo! (Recorded January 2025).

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