Episode 7 - Shine A Light

Shine a Light with Sinéad Hubble and Daniel Boyne

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For many women in their late 30s their body clock is ticking and if you are single if can be a hard decision to go it alone.

Midlands North West MEP Maria Walsh decided it was something she needed to do.

The former Rose of Tralee says she thought she would be doing this journey without a wife.

Speaking to Midlands 103, Maria believes it is important to have open conversations about women who choose to pursue motherhood alone and the different paths people can take towards starting a family.

She came out as a gay woman in her mid-20s, but says that never changed her belief that she would one day have children.

However, becoming a mother on her own was not how Maria had originally pictured her future.

“I think it’s super important to stress that I thought I would have a wife or a partner with my white picket fence and 2.5 kids and a dog.”

But life didn’t quite work out that way. Before deciding to pursue IVF alone, Maria asked herself a number of difficult questions about whether she was ready to become a single parent and what that would mean for both her and her child. Ultimately, she decided to take the step towards motherhood.

However, the IVF journey itself was far from easy. Maria went through the process privately, choosing not to tell anyone what she was doing including her own family. Without those closest to her knowing what she was going through, she found herself dealing with the physical and emotional pressures of IVF largely by herself.

“You are so alone in your thoughts, which are often not healthy. My head and my body disconnected to protect me.”

The experience brought periods of uncertainty and isolation as Maria navigated the treatment and its emotional impact without the support network she would normally turn to.

Now, however, the mum to be is looking forward to an exciting new chapter, with her baby due in October. After the challenges of IVF and making the decision to pursue motherhood on her own, she says things are now going great as she prepares to welcome her first child. By sharing her experience, Maria hopes to encourage more open conversations around women choosing to become mothers on their own and the many different ways a family can be created. Maria Walsh shares her story of IVF and her journey towards motherhood on Shine A Light.

On Shine a Light, supported by Coimisiún na Meán , we welcomed Deepa Gandhi as part of our International Cuisine slot. 🍽️

Originally from Vellore in Tamil Nadu, Deepa lived in Dublin for 20 years before making the move to Collinstown, Co. Westmeath two years ago.

Deepa is a Registered Advanced Nurse Practitioner and former Nurse Endoscopist, and currently works as Endoscopy Lead at CMPH Mullingar.

She joined us to share a taste of her South Indian heritage and the food and flavours that remind her of home.

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