In episode 34, I talk to Melissa Plunkett, a midwifery student and mother of two. She shares her experience of being induced at almost 42 weeks, and the drawn-out, confusing birthing experience that followed, ending up in an emergency Caesarean section and a lack of faith in her own body's capacity to give birth 'naturally'. Melissa went on to have to argue for the chance to have a VBAC but eventually did, which restored her faith in her body.

Melissa also explains how she, after a traumatising event that left her needing stitches, was fobbed off by medical professionals who deemed the procedure she required 'cosmetic'. We talk about trauma-informed care, informed consent and the changes Melissa would like to see to the maternity system in Ireland.

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Music: Ice and Snow by Icreage, licensed by Soundstripe.

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