The VBAC Circle

This episode features Sara, a mother from northern New South Wales, sharing two birth storie. In her first birth she experienced a traumatic labour and emergency caesarean after a face presentation was discovered at the hospital, followed by a difficult postpartum recovery and mental health strain. After experiencing a miscarriage, Sara went on to have her third pregnancy and second birth experien...

In this episode Lillian shares her two birth experiences - both planned homebirths turned hospital births. She talks us through her experience with preeclampsia in her first pregnancy, which ultimately ended in an unplanned caesarean. She then shares her second pregnancy and birth. After a delayed labour and induction following ruptured membranes for 100+ hours, she gave birth vaginally and reflec...

Rose shares her raw, unfiltered journey from a surprise breech pregnancy to a water birth at home, revealing critical lessons about advocating for herself in the hospital system, managing trauma, and reclaiming her power. After a quick and romantic conception while travelling, Rose’s pregnancy seemed idyllic until her baby's breech position persisted and her waters ruptured at 35+5. She bravel...

In this episode, Katie recounts her journey to VBAC after a difficult first birth. She shares her experiences with unexpected breech presentation after her membranes ruptured at 38 weeks, leading to her caesarean. She also shares her postpartum challenges, where she was put into isolation due to COVID exposure. Katie went on to have a VBAC and talks to us about the positive impact of her doula and...

From an unplanned pregnancy at 19 to navigating an induction and two unplanned caesareans—Skylah share's it all with us. Caught off guard by a surprise pregnancy, Skylah faced fears compounded by COVID restrictions and confusing medical guidance. Her experience highlights the critical need for proactive advocacy in the birth suite. She shares her timeline from shock to a lengthy hospital stay,...

Chelsea's journey through a twin VBAC is a testament to advocacy and resilience. Discover how she navigated low fetal weight, induction, emergency caesarean, and then how she went on to have a twin pregnancy and VBAC. Her story highlights the importance of trusting your body, working with supportive medical teams, and the emotional journey of postpartum recovery. This episode is essential for...

In this episode, Taylor shares her journey through a challenging pregnancy marked by a fetal kidney disease diagnosis and a "big baby". After an induction and emergency caesarean with her first baby, she went on to experience severe PNA and PND. In her second pregnancy, she went on to have a VBAC (with a 4.75kg bub) in the hospital with the support of a private midwife, transforming her...

This bonus episode is a little bit different - join me as I take you on a journey through my own birth stories. From an unwanted induction that lead to the classic cascade of interventions, to planning a homebirth after caesarean, my birth stories cover a fair bit of ground. While I didn't get the VBAC I so desperately wanted, my second birth was still a positive, healing experience with many...

Join The Circle today as I chat with Sammy about her two births. At 36 weeks, Sammy found out her baby was breech. She tried all of the things to turn them, but to no avail, and she eventually agreed to a planned caesarean. For her second pregnancy, Sammy was determined to have a VBAC. She talks us through all of the things she did to prepare her mind and body for birth, and then details the extra...

In this episode, Kaitlin shares her empowering journey through multiple pregnancies and births, highlighting the importance of research, support, and listening to her body. Despite an emergency caesarean due to "failure to progress" and a planned caesarean due to carrying a "big baby", Katilin confidently pursued a VBAC with her third baby. Discover the pivotal role of continuo...

In this episode Ellen takes us on a journey from her first hospital induction experience to her empowering home birth. Discover how she navigated early pregnancy, nevigated reduced movements, and embraced her instincts to achieve her dream VBAC. This episode offers practical insights on managing labour, trusting your body, and reclaiming agency in birth. Ellen's journey is a testament to the p...

In this episode, Shay shares her honest stories—her unplanned pregnancy, the emotional roller coaster of her first birth which resulted in an unplanned caesarean after an elective induction, and how she navigated trauma to reclaim her confidence and have a VBAC. She dives into the nitty-gritty of her birth preferences, the decision-making process around private care and self-funding her hospital s...

Join us as Abbey shares her inspiring journey through three births. Her first was a planned caesarean due to breech presentation. Her second was an attempted VBAC, resulting in an unplanned caesarean due to 'failure to progress'. And finally, her third birth was a positive VBA2C. Abbey also generously shares her experience of birth trauma and how she managed this in the postnatal period. Follow th...

In this conversation, Justine takes us back in time, 20 odd years, to the birth of her three (now adult) children. She shares her profound journey through motherhood, detailing her experiences with two caesarean sections, postpartum depression, and then her empowering VBAC. She discusses the challenges and isolation of postpartum depression, the importance of support systems, and her transformatio...

Tiahna shares her journey through two pregnancies and births. She details her experience with a breech baby and fears of inter-uterine growth restriction, leading to a caesarean birth. She then takes us through her second pregnancy and her empowering VBAC experience. While she had her dream birth, her second postpartum was a rollercoaster that began with a haemorrhage and manual removal of placent...

In this conversation, Katrina shares her transformative journey through three birth experiences, focusing on her desire for a VBAC in her second and third pregnancies. She discusses the importance of finding supportive care and the empowering experience of her most recent birth, a VBA2C. Katrina emphasizes the significance of being informed and prepared for childbirth, as well as the lessons learn...

Welcome to the Circle. In this conversation, Britt shares her journey through IVF, pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. She details the challenges and triumphs of her experiences, from her decision to have a planned caesarean due to breech positioning, her challenges with breastfeeding, and pursuit of a VBAC. Britt reflects on the lessons learned and the importance of mental health in the postpartum...

In this conversation, Symon shares her transformative journey through four pregnancies and three births, highlighting the emotional and physical challenges she faced. She discusses the importance of feeling safe and supported in the birthing process, the impact of hospital protocols on her experiences, and the lessons learned from each birth. Symon emphasises the significance of mental health and...