# EP198 Joan, Two Vaginal Births, Episiotomy, Breastfeeding, Unmedicated Birth, Newborn Meningitis

An episode of [Ireland's Birth Stories](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1522220127), 5 Jan 2026, 1 h 17 min.

Audio: https://sphinx.acast.com/p/open/s/62b3145f423bc400138a033f/e/6958e8e51002b08bc8955a36/media.mp3

This week I share my chat with Joan, who shares each of her two birth stories with us. She reflects on the incredible support of her midwife throughout labour and opens up about her experience with an episiotomy, recovery, breastfeeding, and those early postpartum days. We then move on to her second pregnancy, including a challenging kidney infection just days before her baby arrived. Joan shares her second labour story in detail, highlighting her determination to avoid an epidural this time around and the unforgettable oxytocin rush she experienced once again. Joans son was admitted to hospital at just three weeks old with viral meningitis, something no parent wants to experience. There’s so much more in this episode. Thanks Joan Get in touch E: irelandsbirthstories@gmail.com IG: Irelands Stories Birth Podcast IG Produced & edited by Corah Gernon at She Talks Productions Show Your Support Buy Me A Coffee Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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