The Coombe, a maternity hospital in Dublin, traces its origins to a tragic event over 200 years ago when two women died in a snowstorm en route to the city's only maternity facility at the time, the Rotunda. This incident spurred the establishment of The Coombe, which has since facilitated approximately 740,000 deliveries.
In 1825, the Rotunda was the sole maternity hospital in Dublin. For expectant mothers in less accessible areas of the city, reaching the hospital could be a perilous journey. The Coombe was founded to provide more accessible care.
Over its long history, the hospital has witnessed numerous significant events and milestones. It has cared for mothers who have had exceptionally large families, including one instance of a mother giving birth to 21 babies. Historical records also show newspaper reports of women undergoing multiple C-sections, with one case detailing a woman who had 11 children via Cesarean section.
The hospital's archives also reflect the evolution of medical practices and resources. Images from 1926 depict a sparsely supplied gynaecological theatre, highlighting the challenges faced by medical staff in earlier eras. In contrast, later periods, such as the 1960s, show staff nurses at the Coombe and highlight significant moments like the birth of Bernadette Dunne's baby Louise, the first child born in the hospital's new home in 1967. The hospital's resident medical staff from 1891 and its portico from its original site further illustrate its enduring presence and development. Advances in neonatal care are also represented, including the story of Ollie Gomez, born at 22 weeks and four days, and his mother Stefany.