VBAC Babes – Details, episodes & analysis

“I think your pelvis is too small. I could give you another hour, or we could just go do a c-section now”

-Midwife to Hannah during her first birth

After a C-section with her first, Hannah went on to have a successful VBAC, even though she faced a few challenges including getting COVID at 37 weeks pregnant, and being in the beginning stages of preeclampsia.

Hannah shares her story with warmth and an incredible amount of encouragement for the woman on her VBAC journey! You don't want to miss this one!

Covered in the show: 

• Medical anxiety
• Modified bed rest before C-section due to Hypertension
• Preeclampsia
• Testing positive for covid at 37 weeks pregnant
• Induced VBAC
• Managing an induction for a successful VBAC

Connect with Hannah on Instagram here!

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Today we have Dr. Hazel Keedle--VBAC researcher, author, and VBAC mom-- on the show.

Hazel had a VBAC with only 13 months since her C-section, and the experience lead her to become a Midwifery researcher and complete a PhD on women's experiences of planning a VBAC in Australia.

You are not going to want to miss all of her practical advice on how to advocate for and get your VBAC!

This episode covers:

• Hazel's VBAC journey
• Short interpregnancy interval
• Discussion of risks of having a VBAC shortly after having a C-section
• Working through fears in your VBAC journey
• VBAC rate in Australia vs USA
• Choose your golden birth team
• Birth plans

Connect with Hazel on instagram here!

Grab Hazel's book on Amazon here!

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On the show today we have Brenda Stearns from the Instagram account @she_plusfive. I first discovered Brenda on Insta when a picture was circulating of her family with all her kiddos lined up in a row. She had put a caption above each kiddo based on how they were delivered. Her first was an emergency cesarean, second was a scheduled cesaerean and then she has gone on to have four vbacs. I’ve been dying to get her on the show to share her story with you, and today is the day!

Topics covered in today's episode:

• Being told your baby is too big, or you are too small.
• Fast VBACs
• How to find a supportive provider
• High blood pressure/being induced

Connect with Brenda on Instagram here. 

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Ashley Winning is on the show today sharing her intuitive, healing freebirth VBA2C.

Topics covered in this show:

• What is a freebirth?
• Going through labor as a highly sensitive and intuitive woman
• What planning a VBAC is like in Australia
• Almost 10 lb baby with no tearing
• Plus size birth
• VBA2C with a special scar
• How COVID changed the birth world

Mentioned on this show:
Check out Ashley's podcast here!

Connect with Ashley on Instagram.

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Lo, the RN and content creator behind the popular Instagram account, The Labor Mama, is on the show today answering all your VBAC questions!

Questions answered in this episode:

• How to choose between a C-section and a VBAC
• What are the signs of a uterine rupture
• How to feel safe in a hospital setting
• How long you should wait until getting pregnant to have a VBAC.
• What you can do to avoid tearing
• How to prioritize your birth plan

Research Lo mentioned in this episode:

Intervals between pregnancies: 
This study + this one. 

Research about preventing tearing:

Study 1, 2, and 3. 

Connect with Lo on Instagram here or on her website here!

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Find the show notes on our website here!

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Kristy had a C-section due to placenta previa and breech positioning. It was a planned C-section, but she suddenly developed preeclampsia so it was at an unplanned time. She started prepping for her VBAC the moment they told her she needed a C-section.

Her VBAC was incredibly redemptive and empowering despite a postpartum hemorrhage and a third degree tear. She did a ton of research, did a lot to prepare, and got almost everything she wanted on her birth plan.

Kristy explores the topics of: 

• Where to find research about VBACs.
• What she did to try to avoid a breech baby the second time around.
• Her research about placenta previa.
• What it's like to navigate the healthcare system in Canada.
• Why you need a plan A, B, and C.
• Why she loved her doula

Resources Kristy recommended:

1. Three Sisters Balances (spinning babies)
2. Evidenced Based Birth (a starting point for research)
3. Ina May's Guide to Childbirth  (for building confidence in the physiological abilities of their bodies)

If you love this podcast, please like, review and subscribe!

Reach out to Kristy on Instagram here!

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Find the show notes on our website here!

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Actor Jennifer Blair-Bianco joins me on the show today to share her three birth stories: a homebirth to hospital transfer that resulted in a C-section in the Philipinnes, and then two HBACs in the Chicago area. Jennifer also extends a special invitation, specific to other pregnant mamas in her area!

If you love this podcast, please like, review and subscribe!

Reach out to Jen on Instagram here. 

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Find the show notes on our website here!

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Grab your VBAC Mama shirt here!

In today's solo episode, I am sharing 17 postpartum essentials that you should have ready and waiting as soon as you have your baby. These items will make your life SO much easier in those early days. Take care of yourself, mama, you are worth it!

• Expecting and Empowered
• Haakah
• Nursing bra 
• Nursing Tank Tops
• Adult Diapers
• Water bottle with a straw
• Nursing cover rigid neckline
• Moby wrap
• Lillebaby carrier 
• Kindle
• Touch Lamp
• Bamboobies Nursing Pads
• Silverettes
• The Honey Pot Postpartum Pad
• Earth Mama’s Perineal Spray
• Sign up for a Baby Registry on Amazon here!

If you love this podcast, please like, review and subscribe!

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Find the show notes on our website here!

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Alondra is on the show today to share her HBAC story after her miscarriage. Alondra dives into her traumatic c-section story, her miscarriage, and her homebirth stories. She shares the things that surprised her the most about having a homebirth.

You will hear a lot of baby noises on the audio today, because Alondra had her sweet six-week-old with her while she recorded. 

If you love this podcast, please like, review and subscribe!

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Connect with Alondra on Instagram here. 

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This is one of the craziest birth stories I've ever heard! Jonelle dropped her OBGYN mid-pregnancy, switched to a homebirth midwife, and then had a breech twin VBA3C at home. And--this is amazing--her twins have two different birthdays, because after she birthed her first twin, the second one took 21 hours to arrive. 

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Connect with Jonelle on Instagram here. 

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