Frankie: Two Births: First Birth Obstetric Cholestasis, Emergency Ventouse, Second birth: Twin Pregnancy, Planned C-Section at 34 Weeks, NICU, Bonding Difficulties, Postnatal Depression

Frankie: Two Births: First Birth Obstetric Cholestasis, Emergency Ventouse, Second birth: Twin Pregnancy, Planned C-Section at 34 Weeks, NICU, Bonding Difficulties, Postnatal Depression

From British Birthing Stories by Georgia McGivern

May 21, 2026 · 52 min · Episode 36

About this episode

Frankie shares her challenging experiences with two very different pregnancies, including obstetric cholestasis and a NICU stay for her twins.

  Frankie had a really tough first pregnancy. She had already been through obstetric cholestasis, a long induction, and an emergency ventouse delivery with her first. Second time around she was carrying twins. She knew she could not go through that again.   Frankie is a mum of three boys from Sheffield who shares two very different birth stories shaped by PCOS, endometriosis, multiple miscarriages, and a fertility journey that took years. Her first son Dawson was conceived on Clomid after nearly two years of trying. Her twins Blake and Holden were conceived within two cycles of medication. Nobody was more surprised than her.   With her twin pregnancy came obstetric cholestasis again, severe pelvic girdle pain so bad she could not walk, and a decision to deliver at 34 weeks. Her planned C-section went smoothly. What came after did not. Both boys went to NICU for a month. One came home on oxygen with chronic lung disease. Frankie found herself learning to administer tube feeds, check pH levels, and manage medical equipment while recovering from major surgery and trying to parent a five year old. Bonding with her youngest twin Holden took nine months. She hated…

People in this episode

Host: Georgia McGivern

Guest: Frankie

Topics covered

  • obstetric cholestasis
  • twin pregnancy
  • NICU experience
  • C-section delivery
  • postnatal challenges
  • fertility journey

Keywords

  • obstetric cholestasis
  • NICU
  • C-section
  • twin pregnancy
  • postnatal depression
  • fertility journey
  • pelvic girdle pain
  • Clomid
  • tube feeds

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: Clomid

Places: Sheffield

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