Episode 53: AN INFANT-FEEDING SPECIAL, with Karen Kelly

KEY TOPICS: 3 births, PCOS, low PAPP-A, meconium, natural delivery, advanced maternal age, nuchal hand, precipitous labour, infant feeding coach

Our guest Karen Kelly is passionate about supporting nursing parents on the Rock! Karen is registered with the Federation of Antenatal Educators (FEDANT) and is working through her advanced professional qualification with the Association of Breastfeeding Mothers (ABM), with a view to become a certified lactation consultant.

Karen shares her own three birth stories: the first in a busy UK hospital with a challenging and lengthy induced labour, followed by her further two daughters born quickly - and without pain relief! – here in Gibraltar 🇬🇮

She shares why she thought she may not be able to have a baby, and the emotions in discovering pregnancy for the first time in 2019. Karen felt pressured into having a medicalised birth, and endured a 52-hour labour in an overstretched London hospital with her concerned husband by her side. She describes the experience as ‘horrendous,’ and recovery difficult, although praises the breastfeeding support she received.

The family relocated back to the Rock in 2022, and another low-risk pregnancy followed. Karen’s description of this natural labour is fascinating, with euphoria as her second daughter arrived. An unusual incident made her suspect she was pregnant for the third time, due in 2025. Karen experienced more tiredness in her late 30’s, before her third child arrived in an unusual position, after an intense and fast labour.

We chat about the emotive topic of breastfeeding – tongue tie, latch, expressing and relactation, plus the importance of good community support for maternal mental health. Thank you Karen for sharing your clear passion for this topic, and for helping others!

Find more on Instagram at: @infant_feeding_matters https://www.gbc.gi/news/breastfeeding-support-group-opens-its-doors-in-march Find 'Born on the Rock: Gibraltar Birth Stories' on Facebook and Instagram for more Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.