Motherhood Flow - VBAC tips, preparing for a vaginal birth after c-section, preventing cesareans

In this episode, I’m opening up about why this final pregnancy and birth feels like a full-circle moment. My due date with baby #3 is right around the time of my son's birthday and this time…it’s another boy. The timing and the season are stirring up so many reflections as I prepare to close this chapter of growing and birthing babies. I share the thoughts and emotions that have been coming u...

In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Margo Lowy, a psychotherapist, author, and expert in maternal mental health, for a powerful conversation about the often unspoken emotional realities of motherhood. Dr. Lowy shares what led her to explore the concept of maternal ambivalence and how naming and normalizing our full emotional experience can transform the way we mother. We discuss: What maternal ambi...

In this episode, I’m joined by Liz Eidelman, a New Jersey mom of two, doula, and content creator with a passion for helping women take control of their birth experiences. Liz shares her journey through two very different, yet equally challenging, births—and how those experiences sparked her desire to empower others to have satisfying, informed, and empowered births. We discuss: The challenges Liz...

I have previously said that I would love to have a homebirth after cesarean (HBAC) if I had a third baby.  Well, I've changed my mind and I'll go over why in this episode.  I am an advocate for choice and informed consent. I believe everyone has a right to weigh the risks and benefits and decide what type of birth is best for them. Whether that be a hospital VBAC, birth center, or homebi...

Text Hannah! VBAC & C-Section Birth Plan Template: https://www.thehannahgill.com/birthplan Quiz - VBAC or Repeat C-Section: https://www.thehannahgill.com/birthquiz VBAC & Cesarean for Birth Professionals: https://thehannahgill.com/vcbp-enroll

In this episode, I'm going over the role doulas play in supporting clients through both planned and unplanned c-sections . Many people believe that once a c-section is decided on (whether planned or unplanned), a doula is no longer needed. That is absolutely untrue. Doula support is extremely beneficial in all birth scenarios. Text Hannah! VBAC & C-Section Birth Plan Template: https://www...

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Jennifer Winston, Health Data Scientist at U.S. News & World Report, to discuss the powerful data behind the rankings of the Best Hospitals for Maternity Care and Maternity Care Access Hospitals . Here's what you'll learn: What defines a Best Hospital for Maternity Care and a Maternity Care Access Hospital , and why they’re critical in shaping th...

In today’s episode, I'm diving into a key consideration for VBAC planning...the timing and spacing between your c-section and VBAC. If you’re planning a VBAC then understanding the spacing between births can make a big difference. I go over ACOG guidelines but also give some personal insight into the topic and remind you to trust your gut and intuition. https://www.acog.org/clinical/clinical-...

In today's episode I dive deep into pelvic floor PT with Dr. Jessica London, PT, DPT, PCES. I also hear a bit about her birth stories (unplanned c-section and HBAC). Here’s what you can expect: How Jessica's first birth experience shaped the decision for a second homebirth, and the mental preparation involved. Differences in preparing for a VBAC attempt and how that preparation evolved f...

https://www.thehannahgill.com/blog/5-questions-to-ask-your-provider-about-vbac Text Hannah! VBAC & C-Section Birth Plan Template: https://www.thehannahgill.com/birthplan Quiz - VBAC or Repeat C-Section: https://www.thehannahgill.com/birthquiz VBAC & Cesarean for Birth Professionals: https://thehannahgill.com/vcbp-enroll

In today’s episode, I'm diving into an important but often overlooked factor that can make all the difference in your VBAC journey: nurse staffing. You might not have considered how hospital staffing levels can influence your VBAC success, but research shows that more nurses could mean fewer C-sections .  I dive into: Why your hospital’s nurse-to-patient ratio matters more than you think. How...

https://www.thehannahgill.com/blog/everything-you-need-to-know-about-vbac-courses Text Hannah! VBAC & C-Section Birth Plan Template: https://www.thehannahgill.com/birthplan Quiz - VBAC or Repeat C-Section: https://www.thehannahgill.com/birthquiz VBAC & Cesarean for Birth Professionals: https://thehannahgill.com/vcbp-enroll

 In today’s episode, I’m joined by Alexis Adams, CEO and therapist at Confidently Therapy, to dive into setting boundaries during pregnancy, birth and postpartum and the mental and emotional challenges of parenting. In this episode we cover: How to set boundaries without guilt and maintain them Overlooked aspects of mental/emotional preparation for postpartum Strategies for handling postpartum anx...

On today's episode, Chelsea shares her beautiful HBAC story. Chelsea is a podcast host, teacher, and mother who lives in Melbourne, Australia, with her partner and their two daughters. Chelsea had an unplanned caesarean-section in hospital for her first birth and after 2+ years of preparation and research, had a beautiful, transformative VBAC at home for her second birth, surrounded by her be...

Are you considering an unmedicated VBAC but feeling unsure about how to prepare or if it's even possible?  In this episode I dive into the misconceptions around unmedicated VBACs and I discuss essential preparation strategies (both physical and mental) that can help you approach your VBAC with confidence. Tune in for action steps to help you prepare for your low-intervention unmedicated VBAC!...

If you're a woman in your 30's and beyond, you'll want to tune into this episode. Hormones play a key role in our overall health, especially when it comes to fertility, perimenopause, and menopause. But have you wondered how to balance them naturally without getting on some sort of hormonal birth control? In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Robyn Wright, a naturopathic doctor speci...

If you are later in your VBAC pregnancy, looking back thinking, "I did nothing to prepare." then this episode is definitely for you.  I'm giving my top tip for the last-minute, procrastinating moms out there who just don't have the time or energy to do it all. Text Hannah! VBAC & C-Section Birth Plan Template: https://www.thehannahgill.com/birthplan Quiz - VBAC or Repeat C-...

I want to start out by saying I'm NOT anti-c-section. I'm not against scheduling repeat c-sections simply because YOU want to. What I'm against is unnecessary c-sections. Coerced or pressured c-sections. C-sections chosen without full informed consent. I've heard many women say that want to have some control over their birth the second time around so they are scheduling a repea...

Text Hannah! VBAC & C-Section Birth Plan Template: https://www.thehannahgill.com/birthplan Quiz - VBAC or Repeat C-Section: https://www.thehannahgill.com/birthquiz VBAC & Cesarean for Birth Professionals: https://thehannahgill.com/vcbp-enroll

Confidence and clarity is so important when preparing for a VBAC, but how do you actually get to that point? In this episode, I share a powerful mindset shift that every woman who is preparing for a VBAC needs. I also share one simple action you can take today to start believing in yourself and your body's ability to birth. Tune in for some tangible empowerment that will help you work through...

On today's episode, Aly McClain, RN of the Peaceful Homebirth Podcast tells us her 4 different birth stories (including 3 HBACs) and how her experiences inspired her to help other women navigate homebirth. Connect with Aly:  Peaceful Homebirth Podcast Website- www.peacefulhomebirth.com Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/groups/peacefulhomebirth Homebirth Essentials- https://birth-bliss-beyond...

Finding a VBAC supportive provider is really freaking hard in a lot of areas and it can be one of the most stressful parts of preparing for a VBAC. So when it's time to decide whether or not to stay with the same provider who did your c-section you might be wondering what to do. The majority of people in the birth world would tell you NOT to stay with the same provider. Tune in to hear my tho...

Many women spend all of their time preparing for birth and what to put on their baby registry. But often times they forget to plan for other aspects of postpartum, especially breastfeeding. If you're a first-time mom worried about breastfeeding or a doula who wants to better support her clients as they begin the breastfeeding process, you'll want to check out this episode. Midwife and IB...

Whether you're preparing for a VBAC or are a first-time mom, I'm sure you've heard about cervical exams at some point BUT... What are the pros and cons of getting cervical checks? Does everyone need to get cervical checks during pregnancy? What do cervical dilation and effacement even mean? Should you get cervical exams during labor? Tune in to find out! Text Hannah! VBAC & C-Se...

In this episode, I speak with Mary Farrelly, a certified Level IV NICU nurse and trained doula, about the crucial topic of navigating the NICU. We dive into: What is the NICU (neonatal intensive care unit)? How common is it for a baby to need NICU support? Essential tips on how families can prepare for a NICU stay in advance (even for an unexpected stay). The invaluable role doulas play in support...