Episode 6: An Expat on the Rock, with Michaela Potts

KEY TOPICS: 1 birth, expat, natural delivery, PUPPPS, positive experience

We welcome our first non-Gibraltarian to the podcast in this episode: Michaela, a first-time mother from South Africa! Michaela explains how she and her husband moved to Gibraltar after the pandemic, and how the Rock quickly felt like home. They conceived their little boy very soon after trying for a baby, and she describes the one thing she couldn't tolerate through pregnancy... plus the fun ways they shared the news with both sets of parents.

In her third trimester, Michaela had symptoms of pre-eclampsia and was induced, but after a lengthy labour (involving lots of dancing!) and an unsuccessful epidural, she was able to deliver her 4kg/8.8lb baby naturally. Michaela's Mum made the 18hr journey from South Africa just in time to meet her grandson! It's clear that she was a huge support throughout the labour, alongside Michaela's husband.

For a month post-partum, Michaela experienced PUPPPS, a pregnancy-related hive rash, but she generally feels that her first birth experience was a very positive one. Michaela compares St Bernard's hospital favourably to those back in her home country, and hopes to grow her family in Gibraltar. This is a really fun listen (recorded November 2024) as Michaela re-lives events, and describes what it's been like adjusting to parenthood. It's lovely to feature our youngest baby on the podcast so far - and a big thanks to Michaela, our newest Mum!

Find more about Michaela's story and the podcast on Instagram: born_on_the_rock

If you'd like to tell your story, email: [email protected]

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