The VBAC Link

Liz, a mama of two from Long Island, New York, joins us today sharing her experience with preeclampsia, an unexpected C-section, and her successful VBAC with her second. Liz had a perfect health history and never had any surgeries before her C-section. It was so frustrating to feel so out of control.  In between her birth and her second pregnancy, Liz’s mom unexpectedly passed away. She shares how...

Meagan welcomes Dr. Nicole Calloway Rankins, a board-certified OB/GYN, to discuss everything related to pregnancy, childbirth, and the VBAC experience. With over 23 years of experience and more than 1,000 deliveries, Dr. Rankins shares her insights on common questions and concerns from expectant mothers. From the importance of mindset during labor to understanding the implications of the word “all...

Originally aired in June 2019 as our 73rd episode, we still often think back to this amazing first conversation we had with Dr. Stuart Fischbein and Midwife Blyss Young! Now, almost 6 years later, the information is just as relevant and impactful as it was then. This episode was a Q&A from our Facebook followers and touches on topics like statistics surrounding VBAC, uterine rupture, uterine a...

In this episode of The VBAC Link Podcast, join Julie as she sits down with Ambrosia to discuss her journey from a teen pregnancy to achieving a VBAC after two C-sections. Ambrosia shares her unique experiences, the challenges she faced, and the importance of advocating for herself in the medical system.  Julie and Ambrosia give insights into the myth of a small pelvis and preeclampsia. How is a sm...

While we can't control many parts of birth, there is so much we CAN do to quite literally change the trajectory of our birth outcome.  First: Feel safe with where and with whom you will give birth. Second (but just as important!): Prepare yourself mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually.  During her first VBAC attempt, Maria hired a midwife. Her second birth had so much more advocac...

“I don't think anyone pushes like a VBAC mom pushes.” In this episode, we chat about premature rupture of membranes (PROM) with Noel, a stay-at-home mom from Texas, as she shares her personal experiences and successful VBAC story. We dive deep into the importance of finding a supportive provider and the realities of induction. Noel was never able to fully dilate during her first birth. She and...

In this powerful episode, we hear the story of Alice, who shares her brave journey through two contrasting pregnancies and the impact of intimate partner violence on her mental health. Co-host Sarah joins as one of our VBAC Link certified doulas to discuss the importance of mental health awareness, especially during pregnancy and postpartum.  This episode dives into the significance of having a st...

“I am not a TOLAC patient. I am a VBAC!” Julie sits down with Colleen, a mother from Long Island, New York, who shares her journey towards achieving a successful VBAC despite facing challenges such as gestational diabetes. Colleen recounts her traumatic first birth experience and the uphill battle she faced with her second pregnancy. She was bombarded with messages that her baby would suffer perma...

If you are looking for VBAC inspiration, Kelsey’s episode is a MUST-LISTEN. Kelsey is a VBA2C mom and speech-language pathologist living in Erie, Pennsylvania. You will feel literal full-body chills as she tells her birth stories on the podcast today.  As a first-time mom, Kelsey chose a Cesarean over physiological birth thinking it was the safer, easier route. But after experiencing the reality o...

Lily’s VBAC birth story episode is finally here!!!  You know and love her just like we do. She not only manages the social media content here at The VBAC Link but also spends so much time connecting with you personally. She has the biggest heart for VBAC and champions all types of empowered birth. Lily walks us through her experiences with ectopic pregnancy, loss, her traumatic Cesarean, and how s...

Join Susan on our podcast today as she shares her journey to a beautifully empowering CBA3C! Susan had three C-sections that didn't have anything to do with her body. They just happened to be circumstantial. All three of her births had been traumatic emotionally and did not go how she wanted at all. As far as making decisions for herself and doing what she really wanted to do, that was not pre...

We have two beautiful CBAC stories for you on the podcast this week!  Today’s episode is with our friend, Melanie. Her first unexpected Cesarean was in April 2020 at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. It was a very lonely and traumatic experience.  Melanie found healing through a birth trauma therapist who helped her process her story and prepare for her second birth with a strong mindset. Sh...

Chrissie always dreamed that the birth of her babies would be the happiest days of her life. But with her first two births, they were among the worst.  In today’s episode, Chrissie expresses the heartbreak she felt after doing everything to prepare for a VBAC and not get it.  Though she wasn’t sure how her third birth would go, the healing, research, and advocacy she did made all the difference in...

Dr. Darrell Martin is an OB/GYN with four decades of expertise in women’s health and the author of the bestselling memoir “In Good Hands: A Doctor’s Story of Breaking Barriers for Midwifery and Birth Rights.”  In this episode, Dr. Martin and Meagan walk down memory lane talking about differences in birth from when he started practicing to when he retired. He even testified before Congress to fight...

Julia knew something was off during her first pregnancy and birth experience. She knew she didn’t feel right about consenting to a Cesarean, but it wasn’t until she started diving into research that she realized how much her care lacked informed consent. She discovered options that should have been offered to her that never were. Julia’s research led her to choosing the midwifery model of care in...

Brielle Brasil is a mama’s coach, breathwork facilitator, and somatic trauma resolution therapist. She shares her two birth stories as a foreigner living in the Dominican Republic.  Brielle’s first birth was an unexpected, traumatic C-section. After putting in the work to heal, Brielle felt ready to explore birth options that she thought were unattainable. She was creative and intuitive throughout...

We are so excited to be joined today by our friend, Ali Levine. You will instantly feel her bright energy as she shares her awesome VBAC story with us. A celebrity stylist and TV personality, Ali is no stranger to being in the limelight. With her first pregnancy, she had glamorous photoshoots, went to flashy events, and made a dreamy birth plan. When the natural water birth of her dreams quickly t...

Aisha’s episode is full of wisdom and inspiration! With her first two births, Aisha worked so hard to deliver vaginally, but ultimately had two undesired Cesareans. She was told in the operating room that she had uterine dehiscence, was given a special scar, and should never try to deliver vaginally.  But her intuition was telling her a different story. She dove into research. She found a communit...

Sheryl’s first baby was five days late. Her second baby was five days early. From the first contraction to a surprise car birth, Sheryl’s third baby was under an hour!  Not only were the methods of delivery very different with each baby, but Sheryl’s life circumstances were too. Julie and Sheryl chat about preparing yourself not only for the long, marathon labors, but also for the possibility of t...

Abigail’s first pregnancy turned into a life-threatening birth experience with undetected gestational diabetes and a traumatic ICU stay. On top of that, she unexpectedly had to move homes just two weeks postpartum. Abigail quickly developed intense postpartum depression and struggled to make sense of what happened to her.  She was sure she would never have kids again, but after therapy and healing...

What are the typical differences between hospital OB care and home birth midwifery care? Throughout her VBAC prep, Gesa was able to directly compare the two side by side. She was planning a home birth with a midwife but continued to see her OB at the hospital for the insurance benefits.  Some differences she noted:  Her OB used ultrasound to determine baby’s position. Her midwife palpated her bell...

Katie has had a Cesarean (failure to progress), a VBAC, and most recently, an unmedicated breech VBAC! She talks about the power of mom and baby working together during labor. She is 4’10” and attributes so much of her first successful VBAC to movement.  Katie’s most recent baby was frank breech throughout her entire pregnancy. After multiple ECV attempts, she exhausted all options to seek out a v...

Happy New Year, Women of Strength! Meagan and Julie share an exciting announcement about the podcast that you don’t want to miss.  While they chat about topics to look forward to this year, they also jump right in and share stats about cervical checks and duration between pregnancies.  We can’t wait to help you prepare for your VBAC this year! Needed Website How to VBAC: The Ultimate Prep Course f...

We can’t believe we have arrived at the last episode of 2024! This year has brought so many incredible and empowering births. We loved hearing how each of you fought for your birth goals, magnified your voices, and showed your strength.  In today’s episode, Meagan sums up The VBAC Link’s 2024 achievements and shares some of the exciting things she has in store for 2025.  The VBAC Link Supportive P...

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays, Women of Strength!  We have another beautiful VBAC birth story for you today from our friend, Georyana. Georyana shares how she went from having an unplanned Cesarean with her first birth to a planned HBAC but unexpected breech delivery! During her first postpartum period, Georyana experienced postpartum preeclampsia, depression, and anxiety. She and Meagan dive...