Episode 8: Homebirth
‘Baby On Board’ is a primetime series for RTÉ aimed at expectant parents, new parents and experienced parents.
Experienced midwife and public health nurse Gráinne Ryan will help families throughout the country in different situations, setting a variety of challenges and offering a range of solutions to everyday baby and child issues.
In episode 8, we focus on alternative birthing and pregnancy therapies. Grainne follows a midlands based couple who are about to have their fifth child and third homebirth. Their desire is to have a water birth and the mother plans to use the hypno-birthing technique during labour. Grainne also spends time with a pregnant woman who is exploring the benefits of alternative therapies to assist pain relief during pregnancy.
The Hannan Family
Marguerite and Paul Hannan live in Athlone and have 4 children ranging from 12 to 4 years old. The older two were born in hospital and the younger two at home. Marguerite attempted a pool birth with the fourth child but the pool wasn’t ready on time as things happened very quickly!
Marguerite really wants a water birth at home this time as this will probably be her last child. She is also keen to involve the whole family in the experience giving the other children a chance to see their baby sibling being born.
Marguerite teaches hypno-birthing and plans to use this technique to manage the pain, control her thoughts and her breathing. She plans to use a birthing pool to move around in to get into the best positions to manage the contractions and the labour.