The VBAC Link

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...

Taylor’s VBAC and HBAC journey is so inspiring. From C-section to difficult hospital VBAC to a VBAC at home (HBAC), her HBAC ended in a hospital transfer for her baby, due to a concern about blood sugar levels; however, they got sent home the same day after the all-clear from a pediatrician. Taylor is a doula and ICAN member in her community in New Hampshire. Find more about ICAN and how to find a...

It was a lot of work for Amy to find a doctor to support her with her VBA2C. Her first C-section was a classical (vertical) incision with premature twins. Her second, the typical low transverse (bikini cut) incision. Finding a provider supportive of a VBA2C is hard enough without a special scar, but like all the other women of strength we know, she dove into the information and prepared herself me...

Maria’s first C-section was for a breech baby. Her provider told her, “Oh, good! I am working on your due date so that we can schedule a C-section for that morning.” She’s since had two VBACs after preparing for an unmedicated birth, taking a hypnobirthing class, and trusting her gut. She strongly believes in the power of affirmations, including and especially “I am having a VBAC!” Find a hypnobir...

Mary’s determination is inspiring! She went from a planned C-section to an unplanned repeat C-section to a triumphant VBA2C after 70 hours of having her water break. Her journey started as planned home birth, but after labor not starting for over 60 hours, they decided to transfer care to a supportive hospital two hours away from her house. You can find more information on what to watch for when y...

We have a great episode for you going into the new year. Julie, one of your hosts, shares her struggle with breastfeeding after each birth and the very different feeding journeys each of her four babies have had. You might even hear the self-proclaimed “not a crier” choke up a bit as she walks through her story with you. Each journey is so different; you are sure to relate to some of her story. Fe...

We hope you had a great Christmas! Meet our friend Mandy. She has had six births. Her first birth resulted in an inverted T-scar and the second was a repeat cesarean. She then went on to have healthy VBACs. With her last birth, Mandy took a huge lead in her community by helping incorporate a new hospital policy in her area. She inspires many during her episode. If you have a special scar, be sure...

Happy Monday! We are continuing our month of special episodes with a special treat for you. Today we interview five different Dads who have been through the VBAC journey with their partner. Listen in as they share their thoughts on doulas, birth, and offer their best advice for birth partners. Grab your significant other and share earbuds, this is sure to be one of your favorite episodes. Download...

Jenna’s story is so much fun. Her C-section was due to a breech baby that wasn’t known until she was in labor. The doctors were considering performing breech delivery until the baby’s feet, legs, and hips were out and presenting with a cord. The Cesarean happened immediately to get her baby out. You will never guess what happened right before her VBAC! Find the referenced information on breech and...

It’s Q&A time with Julie and Meagan! Today we are answering you women of strength asked online. These questions are fantastic! Learn more about uterine rupture, what to look for in a provider, the recommended time frame between pregnancies, how moms and doulas handle difficult doctors, and more.. Thank you so much for submitting your questions. If you have more, we would love for you to reach...

Bronwyn has a wealth of knowledge and information to share with you during this special scar episode. She has had such a wide range of experiences from vaginal, Cesarean, hospital, and home births, as well as VBAC. Each birth brought so much knowledge, and she shares all of the things she has learned along the way. Bronwyn is also the moderator and runs the website special scare special hope . She...

Join us as our husbands, Nick and Ric, meet each other for the first time over the podcast. We interview them and ask them about their experiences during our own personal VBAC journeys. They share their thoughts on birth, doulas, having placentas in the freezer, and will make you chuckle as you listen to their highlights of the births. This episode is a great one for birth partners to understand b...