Episode 29: One in a Billion, with Bryony Rovegno

KEY TOPICS: 2 births, advanced maternal age, infertility, genetics, thalassemia, IVF, haematoma, hyperemesis, induction, natural delivery, hypoxia, placenta previa, pre-septic, emergency caesarean, small age-gap, pandemic

Get ready for a rollercoaster episode with Bryony Rovegno and her family! In just a few short years, this local Mum experienced an incredible journey with a range of unexpected complications. Bryony and her partner were told that their chances of natural conception were very low from medical tests, so they began a fertility journey with a Spanish clinic. Three rounds of IVF later, the couple became pregnant with their daughter. Bryony had a haematoma and was severely sick until labour, when she had an assisted natural delivery… but things quickly took a turn for the worse, as her baby stopped breathing.

It's an emotional listen as Bryony describes the frightening medical emergency, with her little girl needing CPR and intubation plus a trip to Malaga. Staff battled to treat her daughter’s unexplained hypoxia and tried unconventional methods in a desperate bid to save her… against the odds she recovered, as the very rare (and usually fatal) cause was finally discovered. Bryony believes her daughter’s survival chances were a one in a billion.

Adjusting to their baby’s dramatic arrival, she describes the complete shock of then becoming pregnant again – naturally this time. Another haematoma and sickness followed, before placenta previa and an infection led to an emergency caesarean delivery of their son in early 2024. Bryony and her son recovered well, and the couple adapted to life as a family of four. She speaks openly about the challenges of colic, parenting a very small age-gap and working full-time.

Bryony hopes her episode offers support to anybody going through any similar issues, and highlights positive moments throughout her journey. I’m very grateful to Bryony for sharing her amazing birth stories (Recorded June 2025).

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