# Childbirth
All time
# what to expect
'Nothing can actually prepare you': 8 mums share how they dealt with their fears about giving birth
From pre-natal yoga to positive thinking, there are lots of different approaches. Here, some veterans share what worked for them.
# Maternity services
HSE apologises to women callers to Joe Duffy's Liveline who shared their traumatic childbirth experiences
Over the last fortnight, many women have taken to the national airwaves to share their stories of childbirth.
# Research
New study seeks first-time mothers in Ireland who experienced trauma during childbirth
The study will explore the impact of a traumatic birth on a mother’s emotional and psychological wellbeing.
# Scare
'I almost died after giving birth to my daughter'
Serena Williams has opened up about a recent life-threatening experience.
Voices
'Incontinence, groin pain, I find it hard to walk and physical relations with my husband are impossible'
Niamh had a vaginal mesh operation 10 years ago and says even though she is only 58, she now feels like she is 90.
# world prematurity day
'Until you have a premature baby, you don't know what you're up against'
Today is World Prematurity Day.
# whenever wherever
9 things I wish I'd known about breastfeeding
Turns out the things I’d learned from TV sitcoms weren’t true, writes Chrissie Russell.
# Pregnancy
'I was tested to the limit': How hypnobirthing is helping women during labour
“Some people think it’s new age, hippy dippy. It’s anything other than that. It’s very practical, down to earth.”
# Done Deal
Updated: Minister's relief as 'vital' new National Maternity Hospital gets the go-ahead
There had been a row over who would govern the new €150 million development.
# Baby Boom
Three babies delivered by ambulance crews last night
Mothers and babies are all doing well.
# Childbirth
One third of women have their baby by caesarean section
A new report into maternity services says there are a number of reasons.
# Female Genital Mutilation
'I used a razor blade and often cut ten girls a day'
There are over 140 million girls and woman across the world with cut genitals and this dangerous and painful practice continues today.
Voices
Construction site to delivery room: How I became one of Ireland's few male midwives
Dan Oakes worked as a project manager building skyscrapers. But when the bust came along, he decided to retrain as a midwife.
# Take a Break
This woman's way of alleviating labour pains has gone viral
To the left, to the left, to the right, to the right.
# baptism of fire
This baby girl was delivered by Dublin firefighters this morning
Baby Eva’s parents will have a good story to tell her when she’s older.
# deficits in care
Family of girl who suffered cerebral palsy at birth: 'Hospital apology is utterly meaningless'
The High Court approved a €1.9 million settlement today.
# Take a Break
This mum's body is inspiring women everywhere (but not why you think)
Take a moment to read her story.
# Sligo Hospital
'My last hours with Sally were taken away from me'
Sean Rowlette has spoken of how he and his children have come to terms with his wife’s death during childbirth in 2013.
Voices
'Ireland's maternity units are facing chronic and dangerous understaffing'
Maternity staff are being asked to deal with far, far more births than they can safely handle in hospitals up and down the country.
# London
Doctor accused of female genital mutilation of woman after childbirth
The woman initially underwent FGM in Somalia at the age of six. Her stitches tore during childbirth.
Voices
Opinion: Postnatal depression filled me with an all-consuming, terrifying and explosive rage
When you think of ‘depression’, feelings of sadness and anxiety might come to mind – but anger is powerful (often overlooked) emotion.
# Delivery
When governments cut health spending, more women die in childbirth
Though the presence of a skilled childbirth specialist can help.
# UNCAT
'I was just 27 and I was butchered': Symphysiotomy survivors in their own words
The government has announced a redress scheme today. Here are the victims’ stories.
# Redress
Symphysiotomy compensation scheme announced - but how many survivors will apply?
That’s according to a survivors group SOS, which describes its time limits as “draconian”.
Voices
Opinion: The 'frozen eggs' debate is really a societal issue – don't vilify corporations over it
Nowadays it’s seen as quite normal to have kids in your late 30s… but many women still want to start a family earlier.
Voices
Opinion: What happens when a pregnant woman or nursing mother gets sent to jail?
The question of women who are pregnant or parenting in prison is a complex one – and their number is rising.
# Medical Marvel
Woman who received controversial womb transplant gives birth to baby boy
The procedure was somewhat controversial because the womb was taken from a live donor.
# Childbirth
"Time of the essence" in symphysiotomy redress as three survivors die
The three deaths have occurred since the scheme was announced in July.
# birth in reverse
"It's like watching Alien": Men watch a baby being born for the first time
Their reactions are exactly what you’d expect.
# Australia
Backpacker charged with concealing birth of her baby is allowed to come back to Ireland
The 25-year-old had her passport returned to her today but she must go back to Australia for a hearing in October.
# Human Rights
UN tells Ireland to open an investigation into symphysiotomy
The human rights committee also said that those who carried out the procedures without consent should be prosecuted, where possible.
# Symphysiotomy
Symphysiotomy couple want to find their child's burial place
There will be no closure with money – only with finding out where their child’s remains are.
# Symphysiotomy
€34 million redress scheme for Irish women whose pelvises were broken during childbirth
The Government has said that the payments will be ex-gratia – in other words, no blame admitted.
# take care
Mothers more likely to suffer depression four years after childbirth
Though little research has been done in Ireland on postpartum depression past the 12 month mark, one expert said increased resourcing for public health nurses is key to tackling the problem.
# support needed
'I got a feeling looking at my new baby that he'd be better off without me'
42,000 women in Ireland are diagnosed each year with a mental health illness and emotional trauma surrounding pregnancy and childbirth.
Voices
Column: I carried my baby to term, knowing when he was born I would have to bury him
I noticed the consultant becoming quieter and more serious. ‘Have you ever heard of anencephaly?’ he said.
# Mother and Baby
Stark differences between childbirth procedures in public and private hospitals
Women in private hospitals are far more likely to choose to have a caesarean delivery.
# Childbirth
Interventions for first-time mothers "worryingly high" in Irish hospitals
The data was released by the HSE to AIMS Ireland, which said it has queries about the accuracy of the figures.
# UNCAT
Symphysiotomy victims tell the UN about cruel and barbaric childbirth operations
The survivors have brought their search for justice to the United Nations Committee Against Torture.
Voices
Column: Attempts to silence survivors of symphysiotomy must be fought
Reliance on ex gratia redress schemes should be read against a backdrop of Government reluctance to allow these victims – and others like them – to speak on their own terms about the recent past, writes Máiréad Enright.
