Podcast Corner: Síomha Ní Ruairc and Labour Of Love delves into various aspects of pregnancy

While pregnant with her first child, Ní Ruairc discusses such subjects as nutrition, physical changes, and leave entitlements

Tue, 13 Jan, 2026 - 08:45

Eoghan O’Sullivan

Pregnancy advice and pregnancy podcasts are everywhere. In Labour of Love, a six-part podcast series, presenter Síomha Ní Ruairc (one third of the How to Gael gang) sets out to cut through the noise as she prepares for the birth of her first child. Across the three episodes released so far (of six total), she speaks to experts and parents about what actually matters, from leave entitlements to nutrition and the realities of physical change. She points out that 86% of women feel overwhelmed by the amount of pregnancy information available.

Solicitor Michelle Loughnane, mum to a 16-month-old girl, says parenting is a mix of pure joy and love, “a little bit like being held hostage by something very cute and tiny”. She is clear and plain-spoken on a strand of issues, explaining that the statutory two weeks’ paternity leave only came into effect in 2016. “The two-week period, while it’s progressive and is a step forward, it’s such a short period of time. In my opinion it’s not nearly enough… I think sometimes this is where the law hasn’t really caught up with society.”