Episode 9: Triplets & a Toddler, with Katrine Borge
02/27/25 • 67 min
KEY TOPICS: 4 births, early miscarriage, triplets, hyperemis gravidarum, caesarean, cerebral-spinal fluid leak, postpartum haemorrhage, premature
In this episode we meet Katrine Borge, her husband and four sons. Kat had a tough start to motherhood with an early miscarriage, then difficult first pregnancy with hyperemisis gravidarum and an emergency caesarean. Her recovery was hindered by a complication from her spinal tap in labour... with an interesting (yet effective) cure!
Kat describes the moment two years later, that she discovered she’d naturally conceived triplets.. and the surprising initial medical advice she received. She recounts her husband’s reaction as they contemplated the logistics of a rapid family expansion, and the shock news that the babies needed to be born... in London. She describes the stress of sourcing accommodation, meals and travel that cost thousands of pounds. Kat experienced several touching moments of kindness from strangers, as London became her new temporary home.
Thankfully her mum was a huge source of support, as Kat's husband and son stayed in Gibraltar. She spontaneously went into labour at 30 weeks, and describes the frightening critical condition of each of the triplets in the early weeks, plus her own faltering postpartum health. Kat overcame several administration hurdles to finally bring the triplets home... with an emotional family reunion! She describes with humour the celebrity-like status the family attracted on the Rock, and the blur of caring for four very young children. Plus you'll hear a twist on how the boys were named. This is an incredible story of strength, love and support, and I’m so grateful to Kat for sharing her remarkable Gibraltar Birth Stories! (Recorded December 2024).
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: 4 births, early miscarriage, triplets, hyperemis gravidarum, caesarean, cerebral-spinal fluid leak, postpartum haemorrhage, premature
In this episode we meet Katrine Borge, her husband and four sons. Kat had a tough start to motherhood with an early miscarriage, then difficult first pregnancy with hyperemisis gravidarum and an emergency caesarean. Her recovery was hindered by a complication from her spinal tap in labour... with an interesting (yet effective) cure!
Kat describes the moment two years later, that she discovered she’d naturally conceived triplets.. and the surprising initial medical advice she received. She recounts her husband’s reaction as they contemplated the logistics of a rapid family expansion, and the shock news that the babies needed to be born... in London. She describes the stress of sourcing accommodation, meals and travel that cost thousands of pounds. Kat experienced several touching moments of kindness from strangers, as London became her new temporary home.
Thankfully her mum was a huge source of support, as Kat's husband and son stayed in Gibraltar. She spontaneously went into labour at 30 weeks, and describes the frightening critical condition of each of the triplets in the early weeks, plus her own faltering postpartum health. Kat overcame several administration hurdles to finally bring the triplets home... with an emotional family reunion! She describes with humour the celebrity-like status the family attracted on the Rock, and the blur of caring for four very young children. Plus you'll hear a twist on how the boys were named. This is an incredible story of strength, love and support, and I’m so grateful to Kat for sharing her remarkable Gibraltar Birth Stories! (Recorded December 2024).
Find 'Born on the Rock: Gibraltar Birth Stories' on Facebook and Instagram for more
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Previous Episode
Episode 8: Cervical Cerclages, with Hetty Gibbard
KEY TOPICS: 3 births, early miscarriages, stillbirth, incompetent cervix, assisted delivery, blood transfusion, retained placenta, postnatal depression, Christmas baby, expat
In today’s episode, Hetty describes her experience of starting a family with her ex-husband in the late 2000’s. As a trigger warning, please be aware that Hetty suffered miscarriages and tragically lost her daughter before viability at 22 weeks pregnant, due to her cervix shortening and spontaneous labour. There are some very upsetting and poignant descriptions about the events surrounding her little girls’ stillbirth, and listener discretion is advised for the first third of this episode. She speaks beautifully about the local support that she received, with physical mementos that she values to this day.
Hetty and her ex-partner went on to have two further children – boys this time – and she describes the fear and anxiety during those pregnancies of another loss. She was closely monitored, with a cervical cerclage procedure both times – a stitch to temporarily sew the cervix closed until the start of labour. She talks about unexpected postnatal depression after her first son, linked to breastfeeding struggles and unresolved trauma from her daughter’s arrival. Both births required assisted deliveries involving ventouse and episiotomy... yet somehow Hetty infuses very relatable and dry humour in her descriptions of invasive medical checks procedures! She also explains what it’s like to give birth - on Christmas Day! Find more on our Facebook and Instagram pages: born_on_the_rock
I’m so grateful to Hetty for speaking so candidly about her incredible journey, and in such an engaging way. You’ll be in tears one moment, yet smiling the next in this emotional rollercoaster episode (recorded November 2024). For support, Hetty references local baby loss charity: BABYSTEPPS, who can be found on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BABYSTEPPSGIB/ and UK baby loss charity SANDS: https://www.sands.org.uk/
Find 'Born on the Rock: Gibraltar Birth Stories' on Facebook and Instagram for more
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Next Episode
Episode 10: A Teen Mum in 1971, with Annette Tunbridge
KEY TOPICS: 2 births, adolescent mother, rhesus disease, assisted delivery, wet nursing, positive support, grandmother
Our guest in this episode is Annette Tunbridge, a Gibraltarian wife, mother and grandmother in her early 70's at the time of recording (November 2024). Annette first met her husband when she was just 15 years old, and the two quickly fell in love and made plans to marry. She speaks about how they just 'knew,' they were to be together and start a family, despite their young age. She describes both families' reactions, local traditions, and their romantic honeymoon - despite the closed land border with Spain in the early 1970's.
Annette had an uncomplicated first pregnancy, aside from concern over rhesus disease - differing mother/baby blood types. But due to her son's slowed growth and pre-eclampsia concerns, she underwent a traumatic delivery with high forceps... a practice that rarely happens in modern times. Annette references the effects of her epidural (felt for decades afterwards), and how infection during her recovery impacted the ability to breastfeed; she recounts an example of wet-nursing from another mother to assist with her son's first feeds. Her second son was born naturally two years later, but this time it was a much easier and more positive experience - without requiring any pain relief!
Annette describes the invaluable support of bringing up babies surrounded by other mothers in a multi-generational home. She gives a wonderful analogy about love being elastic...there is always enough for a growing family. This is a heart-warming look at Annette's journey to becoming a very young parent and then grandparent, and overall, is a very positive and uplifting story. Thank you so much Annette for sharing!
Find 'Born on the Rock: Gibraltar Birth Stories' on Facebook and Instagram for more
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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