The VBAC Link

Today we have Stephanie, who is a military spouse and gave birth in an army hospital. Her story is so much fun, and you might be surprised at the little nuances that make birthing at a military hospital different than birthing in a civilian hospital. During her VBAC, the nurse asked if there was a “table ready,” and she started to panic; she thought they meant an operating table, but instead, she...

Today’s special episode is from our friend Jennifer, aka Coco.  She shares her journey through IVF, supporting a husband with cancer during her pregnancy, and the birth of her twins where she experienced both a vaginal and a C-Section delivery. Her story is so tender and one that you will want to keep following. Her hope is to help others as she shares her journey as a new widow and mother of twin...

We are sharing our first uterine rupture story today. Join us as we talk with Heather while she shares the story of her uterine rupture. Notice the signs she felt and how promptly her experienced team acted in order to get her baby out quickly and safely. Although uterine rupture is extremely rare, it does happen. Find out all about uterine rupture including the facts, statistics, and signs on our...

There is nothing better than a re-telling of an unconventional story! Join Julie as she re-tells her Cesarean birth story then explains how she chose to have her next three VBAC's at home (HBAC). Find out the nickname given to her doctor by the nurses because of his Cesarean stitching. You will be shocked  by how she came through a funeral, a wedding, and having a baby in three days time! You...

Alicia has an incredible story with a little bit of everything. For her VBAC, she did dual care with a hospital OGBYN and a homebirth midwife. She had a slow, then intense home birth with a highly sought-after midwife and you will be laughing right along with her as she shares her story.  fb.me/thevbaclink for Facebook @thevbaclink on Instagram Find Meagan and Julie’s birth videos on our YouTube C...

Beth is one of Meagan’s own VBAC clients and boy, does she have a story to share! Her VBAC labor started with her water breaking and progressing slowly. After some less-than-ideal interactions with hospital staff, and an anesthesiologist who “just wanted to have an adult conversation”, she had her VBAC a full day after going to the hospital. Her baby was born after an amazing experience that reall...

We get asked all the time about how we manage a growing business, have 3-4 kids, and balance doula life along with it all. Well, here we go into a fun special episode with Julie and Meagan. We share all the details about doula life with you. From what it’s like being on call, to the hardest and more inspiring moments as doulas and everything in between. You asked, and we answered! Download FREE VB...

Destiny is one of our very favorite people! She has been following along with the podcast from the very beginning. We were constantly connected to her through Instagram for her pregnancy and she was even messaging us from her home during her HBAC. She had a long and hard labor, but had the right team and the right tools in her pocket to use to have a safe birth at home. She even had a chiropractor...

Its time for a re-telling of Meagan's, VBA2C story! Follow along with one of your favorite podcast hosts story as she shares her journey through two unplanned Cesareans and achieves her VBA2C despite being told by eight doctors that her pelvis was too small to ever birth a baby. After listening to her story, check out our blog to find out five things you never knew about VBA2C! You can find ev...

Jen has an incredible story of perseverance and triumph while waiting or her baby to come. She learned as much as she could, was closely connected with us at The VBAC Link, and followed her intuition all the way through. When she went into labor and arrived at the hospital, her baby was transverse and, the only choice for her was a repeat Cesarean. Listen closely as she shares her journey and foll...

Jessica's VBAC story is one of true grit and determination. She lacked support from almost everyone she knew and endured days of prodromal labor before achieving her VBAC. Then, we talk about prodromal labor, what causes it, and some things to help on our VBAC blog at: thevbaclink.com/blog . Download FREE VBAC birth affirmations for you birth space here ! fb.me/thevbaclink for Facebook @thevba...

Katie is the admin of the ICAN (International Cesarean Awareness Network) Instagram page, so our interactions with her on Instagram make us already feel like we know her! We were so excited when she reached out with her own VBAC story with us. After her Cesarean, she was inspired to start a local chapter of ICAN for her area and  share her story all about how she educated herself on her options in...

Elizabeth Gray, one of Julie’s and Meagan’s favorite people, goes deep into details about all the postpartum mood disorders (PPMD) and shares her own experience suffering through postpartum PTSD and Psychosis. This is a must-listen for all women, especially those who have never experienced it, to know how to help those who are and how to identify the issues in yourself and others. We list more inf...

Kimberly shares her stories of 2VBA4C (two VBAC’s After 4 Cesareans) and birth after a loss. Her first C-section was due to a failed induction and pressure from her doctor. She went on to have a great VBAC experience followed by another C-section and was pressured into another one after she was told her provider “doesn’t do” VBA2C. Her fourth Cesarean was due to loss and then she was able to have...

Rachel is on today’s episode sharing her birth stories. For her first child’s birth, Rachel was offered a Cesarean at 30 weeks pregnant because her doctor thought her baby was too big. When she finally delivered at 39 weeks, her baby was just eight pounds, five ounces. She was scared into an induction that led to Cesarean by her doctor who told her horror stories about women who had “big babies.”...

Today we talk to Miranda, who is such an engaging storyteller! You will love listening to her tell her birth stories. Her provider told her she can schedule her birth like she schedules a haircut! Miranda had two Cesareans, one unplanned, and one scheduled, after her provider did a major bait and switch and went quickly from VBAC supportive to unsupportive when Miranda hit 41 weeks and everything...

Shiraya worked hard to learn everything she possibly could to prepare for her HBAC (home birth after Cesarean).  For her first child’s birth, she was unprepared for everything that would happen. An asynclitic baby led her to a Cesarean at 8cm dilated. When she found out she was expecting baby number two, she knew she wanted a different experience and found a supportive birth center with a midwife...

What an incredible episode we have for you today! Lyn Christian is Julie’s and Meagan’s business mentor, a triple-certified business coach, and a master of all things conversational intelligence. We talk all about how to have an effective conversation with those you love and care deeply for that may not be supportive of your birth choices. If you have ever felt judged or hurt by people who you wan...

Jennie has had quite the experiences with her births; her first C-section was due to placenta abruption at 28 weeks gestation. The circumstances surrounding that birth caused trauma and difficulties for her. She went on to have two VBACs, one of which the labor lasted more than 28 hours. We then talk about preterm C-sections and what evidence says about the chances for VBAC. As always, you can fin...

Bethany has such an inspiring story. Her first Cesarean was due to a poorly positioned baby and a placenta abruption. For her VBAC, she faced the same circumstances with an asynclitic baby but got the baby's position straightened out to end in a successful VBAC at a birth center. Find more about getting your baby in a good position on our VBAC blog: thevbaclink.com/blog . The sponsor for this...

Surprise! It's Julie's Birthday! To celebrate, we have a very special birthday episode for you, all about Julie. You will learn things about one of your favorite podcast hosts that you never knew including, her rock paper scissors tactics, that time she got kicked in the head by a horse, her tropical skydiving adventure, and even a little bit about her relationship with Mr. Julie Francom (...

Schermisia has such an incredible story! She fought hard for her VBAC and made so many educated and intuitive decisions along the way. We have wanted to share a story from a woman of color for a while now. In this episode, we are going to share the specific challenges women of color face in the birth room and why they have to work so much harder for an empowered birth experience. As always, you ca...

Jeanine is such an inspiration and a beautiful example of a woman of strength. Her VBAC preparation was perfect. She took a VBAC prep class, hired a doula, switched providers (twice), and overcame a lot of fears. Her baby’s birth took an unexpected twist when Jeanine spiked a fever and determined a repeat Cesarean was necessary. Listen to her story and hear how many small victories she had as she...

The most controversial and fear inducing issue surrounding VBAC is uterine rupture. Although uterine rupture is rare, it does happen. Today we are talking about how to process fear surrounding rupture, what the real facts are, how to recognize it if it happens, and that the real consequences of rupture truly are. This episode is jam packed with information and experiences that will leave you feeli...

Caitlin overcame some significant mental hurdles to prepare for her VBAC. She faced opposition from her provider, her family, and even some friends. She dug deep and surrounded herself with a doula and birth team that was incredibly supportive of her choices. She found our podcast, and binged listened to success stories through the end of her pregnancy. The affirmation "I am a Woman of Strengt...