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. If you can, sharing episodes with friends or on social media, or rating and reviewing the Bits of Me on Apple Podcasts, helps a lot and is much appreciated. There's also a Patreon if you'd like to go the extra mile and support the making of the podcast by chipping in €2/month or more, and you can join the conversation and stay up to date on any news by following the Bits of Me Twitter and Instagram accounts. Music: Ice and Snow by Icreage, licensed by Soundstripe. #bitsofmepod #womenshealth #childbirth #birthing #birth #informedconsent #maternitycare #VBAC #induction #inducedlabour #ruptureofmembranes #oxytocin #caesarean #csection #emergencycsection #Irishmaternitycare #postnatalcare #maternitycare #midwifery #breastfeeding #abuse #stitches #suturing #labour #givingbirth #motherhood #womensstories #womensbodies

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“What did the council decide on item 42?” — answered with the speaker and the moment.

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