This podcast was created to provide a community to cheer you on in your journey from VBAC hopeful to VBAC success. We are going to debunk the myths, quiet the naysayers, and equip you with everything you need for a healing, empowering birth. And positive postpartum experience. We are VBAC moms. We are fierce, go getters, women of action. You've got this, mama. And I'll be by your side, every step of the way.
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Here at The VBAC Link, our mission is to make birth after Cesarean better by providing education, support, and a community of like-minded people. Welcome to our circle, we are so glad you are here!
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🎙️ Welcome to The Journey to VBAC, hosted by me, Petra Cruz – a passionate birth doula and proud VBA3C mom. Join me in sharing the highs, lows, and everything in between. In each episode, we will sit down and hear mom's birth stories. We'll laugh, cry, and celebrate the strength within each birth journey. I'm here to inspire, educate, and uplift you! Expect candid conversations, expert insights, and practical tips from professionals who support VBAC. Because, let's be honest, we can all bene ...
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Join VBAC Facts® Founder and CEO Jen Kamel as she shares everything vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC) including the shocking medical evidence, breathtaking birth stories, inspiring advocacy victories, and sobering legal cases. Jen and her guests will both celebrate the triumphs as well as highlight the many opportunities for improvement in our health care system. Come learn what is possible so we can work together to create a world where everyone has access to respectful, evidence based he ...
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Motherhood Flow - VBAC tips, preparing for a vaginal birth after c-section, preventing cesareans
Hannah Gill | VBAC Mom, VBAC Doula, and Childbirth Educator.
Welcome to Motherhood Flow, your go-to motherhood podcast with a good mix of VBAC preparation tips and VBAC birth stories. While I focus heavily on VBAC and prevention of unnecessary c-sections, you can bet I'll be discussing topics from preconception to birth, to mothering toddlers and navigating your relationship after children, I cover it all here. Get ready for insightful conversations, expert interviews, and personal stories. Motherhood Flow is your space to walk through birth and mothe ...
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A podcast featuring Australians sharing their journey of vaginal birth after caesarean. Through sharing and learning from each other's lived experiences the podcast is designed to empower and educate those whose VBAC journey may have just begun, help all expecting mums achieve a more natural birth if that is their intention, and better inform birth professionals about one's journey to a VBAC.
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“Hospital Policy means the principles, rules, and guidelines adopted by the Hospital, which may be amended, changed, or superseded from time to time.” Julie and Meagan break down hospital policies today, especially common ones you’ll hear when it comes to VBAC. They chat all about VBAC agreement forms and policies surrounding continuous fetal monit…
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Part 1: Coerced Cesareans Struck Down: The Woman and Attorney Behind Israel’s Landmark Ruling Speaks Out: "Esther" & Tamir Turgal
56:49
In this episode of the VBAC Facts® podcast, CEO and founder Jen Kamel delves into a gripping discussion with "Esther" and her experience with the Israeli Supreme Court ruling favoring her choice against a compelled repeat cesarean. The conversation with "Esther" and her attorney Tamir explores deep-seated issues of medical coercion, informed consen…
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Induced VBAC due to Preeclampsia after Failed Induction and Small Pelvis Diagnosis, with Hannah
40:13
“I think your pelvis is too small. I could give you another hour, or we could just go do a c-section now” -Midwife to Hannah during her first birth After a C-section with her first, Hannah went on to have a successful VBAC, even though she faced a few challenges including getting COVID at 37 weeks pregnant, and being in the beginning stages of pree…
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Text Hannah! 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 hel…
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Sabina shares her freebirth after 2 cesarean story and she chats about why educating yourself is the key to an empowered birth experience and once a c-section does not mean always a c-section! Your intuition is THE MOST IMPORTANT tool you have and should always be listened to Some highlights from the episode: 🔥 What important things you need to tal…
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Episode 353 Ashley's Premature VBAC After Possible Placental Abruption + Advice From a NICU Mom
58:17
“Getting that VBAC meant everything to me. It helped so much with the trauma of it all.” At 36 weeks along with her first, Ashley started to have intense carpal tunnel pain. At 38 weeks, it was unbearable. Her provider said that delivery would be the only way to find relief and recommended a 39-week induction. Ashley had a difficult labor and pushi…
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Part 2: Coerced Cesareans Struck Down: The Woman Behind Israel’s Landmark Ruling Speaks Out: "Esther" & Tamir Turgal
52:03
Join VBAC Facts® Founder Jen Kamel as she continues "Esther's" harrowing story of avoiding a court ordered cesarean. "Esther" navigates an unassisted birth after four prior cesareans amidst intense scrutiny from social and emergency services. Follow her journey through legal battles, hiding from authorities, and ultimately obtaining a landmark ruli…
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Episode 352 Anni's VBAC at a Military Hospital + Navigating Pregnancy & Birth as a Servicemember or Military Spouse
50:57
Anni is a mom of two young girls living in Okinawa, Japan where her husband is stationed with the Marine Corps. In addition to her work as a non-profit grant writer, she volunteers with the Military Birth Resource Network and Postpartum Coalition and hosts their podcast, Military Birth Talk. A big challenge for military parents is creating care pla…
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Nicole is a military spouse who had her VBAC in England. She shares what it was like to unexpectedly move overseas during pregnancy, how she navigated not receiving her household goods in time, and how she made the choice to deliver on base versus off. Nicole’s first birth was a Cesarean during the height of COVID. During pushing, she was required …
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Today we have Dr. Hazel Keedle--VBAC researcher, author, and VBAC mom-- on the show. Hazel had a VBAC with only 13 months since her C-section, and the experience lead her to become a Midwifery researcher and complete a PhD on women's experiences of planning a VBAC in Australia. You are not going to want to miss all of her practical advice on how to…
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After having an HSG (hysterosalpingogram) due to infertility, Wyn was diagnosed with having a left-sided unicornuate uterus. A unicornuate uterus is a rare condition in which the uterus is smaller than normal and only has one fallopian tube. Common complications from a unicornuate uterus include infertility, IUGR (intrauterine growth restriction), …
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Meagan records a short and sweet episode for you today talking all about OP reports. What are they and why do you need them for your VBAC prep? How do you request them? If you have a hard time interpreting your OP reports, try reaching out to your provider for clarification. You can also send us an email at info@thevbaclink.com where you can schedu…
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In this short solo episode, I explain what intuition is, why it's important to hone it during your VBAC, and how you can easily do this. If you'd like to watch the video of this episode, head to my YouTube channel on Friday to watch it 😜 Connect with me, Petra ⤵️ Instagram:@birthing_come_true Facebook: Birthing Come True Web…
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Rebekah’s first Cesarean was a birth center transfer after her baby boy unexpectedly flipped breech during labor. Though she was confident in her decision to consent to a Cesarean, she was devastated and left with a lot to process. Right away, Rebekah’s midwives instilled confidence that she was a great VBAC candidate and introduced her to The VBAC…
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Episode 347 Colleen's VBAC After Fertility Challenges & Navigating Trauma + MTHFR & Velamentous Cord Insertion
56:26
Colleen’s first pregnancy ended in a miscarriage at 6 weeks. At 12 weeks along with her second pregnancy, Colleen and her husband found out that their daughter would be born with a genetic condition called Trisomy 18. Colleen shares her experiences with Trisomy 18 and how she found the right support to help her navigate through it all. Due to IUGR …
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Text Hannah! 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 wi…
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In this shorty solo episode, I give you a quick guide to the most common acronyms you'll hear on your VBAC journey Connect with me, Petra ⤵️ Instagram:@birthing_come_true Facebook: Birthing Come True Website: Birthingcometrue.com Email: Petra@birthingcometrue.com The International Cesarean Awareness Network: https…
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Episode 346 Katie's Placental Abruption with Twins + VBAC After Four Membrane Sweeps + IVF & Retained Placenta
42:23
Katie is a newborn and family photographer based out of Chicago. After going through IVF, Katie was surprised to find out that her first pregnancy was with identical twins. At 33 weeks, she had an unexpected bleed and then another at 35 weeks. Because of placental abruption, she went straight to a Cesarean and her babies were in the NICU for 7 days…
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Episode 345 Rachel's VBAC After the Unexpected + Back Labor + Strategies for Improving Your VBAC Chances After a Complicated Birth
1:29:54
Rachel is a professor, an author, and a VBAC mom who is here to share her story from a traumatic C-section birth through a VBAC. This episode really dives deep into how picking the right provider is key to improving your chances for a VBAC. They give practical questions to ask your providers, more than just yes or no, to really get to know their bi…
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Brielle experienced sooo many barriers on her VBAC journey and she blasted through all of them! Some highlights from the episode: 🔥 Trauma is literally stored in the cells of your body and how you can start facing them in a way that's not overwhelming 🔥 When you feel like you've exhausted all of your options, it might be beneficial to keep trying. …
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We hear SO many of our listeners say things like, “I wish every first-time mom listened to these stories” or “I wish as a first-time mom I heard these stories because I truly believe it could have helped me avoid my Cesarean.” First-time moms, we want to educate you to make informed decisions during your birth. We want your first birth to be an emp…
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Text Hannah! 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. First 3 Steps to VBAC Guide: https://www.thehannahgill.com/firststeps Quiz - …
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“Inhale peace, exhale tension.” Did you know that the cascade of interventions can not only contribute to a Cesarean but may cause one? Melanie believes that was the case with her first birth. Her difficult recovery included going to EMDR therapy to help with her PTSD. Her OB/GYN did mention that she would be a great VBAC candidate. Not knowing VBA…
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Get out your tissues, this one gets emotional! Some highlights from the episode: 🔥 How previous births can affect you not connecting with your new baby 🔥 How to navigate a system that keeps telling you "no, you can't" 🔥 Tips for how to prepare your partner for Birthing Instincts Podcast What a bicornuate uterus is Connect with, Raquel ⤵️ Instagram:…
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Episode 342 CNM Paige Boran + What Midwifery Care Looks Like + How Can a Midwife Impact our VBAC?
44:16
“Labor is supposed to happen naturally. It’s not this big medical intervention that occasionally happens naturally. It’s this natural process that occasionally needs medical intervention.” Paige Boran is a certified nurse-midwife from Fort Collins, Colorado. She and her colleague, Jess, practice independently at A Woman’s Place. They have rights to…
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Happy National Midwifery Week! We are so thankful for and in awe of all midwives do. Great midwives can literally make all the difference. Statistical evidence shows that they can help you have both better birth experiences and outcomes. Meagan and Julie break down the different types of midwives including CNMs, CPM, DEMs, and LPM as well as the se…
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68. These conversations and rituals homebirth midwife Meaghan suggests are a must to have!
1:03:45
Preparing for your VBAC can go deeper than the physical and mental aspects, it can be rooted in your lineage, as far back as your mom, and your grandma or even further back than that. Take a listen to find out why having hard conversations can be absolutely essential to your VBAC journey. Some highlights from the episode: 🔥Questions to ask your mid…
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Episode 340 Denise's VBA2C + Pediatric Physical Therapy + VBAC Doula Gina Shares About the Microbiome
55:22
Dr. Denise DeRosa is a Pediatric Physical Therapist from New York City. She had two Cesareans and was confident that those would be her only birth stories. But when she unexpectedly became pregnant with her third, Denise started looking into her options. She researched VBAC, found The VBAC Link, and felt that she could have a VBA2C. Having worked i…
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Joining us from Texas today is Caitlin and it is her birthday! Caitlin’s first baby was born at 34 weeks via an emergency C-section due to elevated blood pressure and fetal distress. Though she was scared, it was not a traumatic experience and her recovery went well. She just knew that moving forward for future births, she wanted to experience labo…
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Text Hannah! 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…
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Alyssa Frain is a licensed acupuncturist turned full-time stay-at-home mom. She had her first daughter in September 2020, a missed miscarriage in 2022, and a successful HBAC in January 2024. She enjoys helping women take their health back into their own hands by showing them how to tune into their bodies and support it with Chinese Herbal Medicine.…
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Sabina is one of our VBAC-certified doulas from Canada and is sharing her peaceful FBA2C today. While free birth comes with its own risks and benefits, we know that many women feel drawn to this option when they have no support or do not feel safe birthing any other way as Sabina did. We want to share all types of births after Cesarean and honor al…
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Lauren joins us today from Australia sharing her two Cesarean stories and her surprise unassisted HBA2C story! Lauren’s first birth was a crash Cesarean under general anesthesia at 40+1 due to nonreassuring fetal heart tones. Her second birth was a TOLAC going into spontaneous labor at 40+3 under the midwifery model of care. She labored naturally, …
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Text Hannah! https://thehannahgill.com/firststeps First 3 Steps to VBAC Guide: https://www.thehannahgill.com/firststeps Quiz - Is Your Provider VBAC Supportive?: https://thehannahgill.com/quiz Doula VBAC and Repeat Cesarean Guide: https://www.thehannahgill.com/newdoulatips由Hannah Gill | VBAC Mom, VBAC Doula, and Childbirth Educator.
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Breastfeeding is a learned skill, it’s ok if it does not feel natural or easy. Feeding your baby is something you need to plan for but know that it’s ok (and very likely) that it may look different in the first few weeks than you planned or expected. Alex, who is an IBCLC has so much incredible knowledge and amazing tips for you to navigate your jo…
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As a first-time mom, Katie was struggling with potty training and feeling like she didn’t know what she was doing. She later became a potty training consultant to help other struggling moms and now hosts the Burnt Pancakes podcast. Katie’s first birth was a scheduled breech Cesarean. Her second birth was a spontaneous 36-hour labor at 39 weeks and …
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Text Hannah! 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…
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In today’s episode, Meg from Nebraska shares her Cesarean and VBAC story. Meg’s first birth was an unexpected Cesarean after an almost 40-hour induced labor at 41 weeks and 3 days due to failure to descend. Her pain was not managed well during her surgery and her experience was much more difficult than expected. Meg surprisingly found out she was p…
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Having a supportive team is more important than you may realize. When Jessica didn't have a supportive team she felt like she wasn't being heard or informed. But that all changed for her second and third birth. Some highlights from the episode: 🔥 Trusting your gut instincts is not a gimmick or just a fun saying, it can lead you down the path you we…
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We have received so many messages and emails from you requesting more VBAMC stories and today, we are giving you just that. Susana joins us from Mexico sharing her VBAC story after five Cesareans! Each of Susana’s Cesarean experiences was unique in their own way, but the dream of a vaginal birth never left her heart. When she found a supportive mid…
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Episode 333 Shelby's HBAC after Placental Abruption + Faith Over Fear + Defining True Physiological Birth
53:26
“My birth stories are my testimony…I have never trusted God more with any situation in my entire life other than with the lives of my children and bringing them into this world.” Shelby’s story is one of faith, trust, and surrendering. Shelby joins us today from Indiana sharing her wildly traumatic Cesarean story due to a placental abruption and he…
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Text Hannah! 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/peacefulh…
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Sometimes you have to put on your advocacy hat more times than you'd like. This definitely was the case for Carly who encountered a not-so-supportive OB while in labor. Some highlights from the episode: 🔥 How to deal with an unsupportive doctor 🔥 What one very important option is for handling an unsupportive provider 🔥 What an AMA is 🔥 and so much …
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Episode 332 What The VBAC Link Offers & What is Important to Know with Meagan Heaton, VBAC Link Owner
20:13
Women of Strength, so many things are important to know during your VBAC. Meagan Heaton is flying solo today telling you how to get the most out of what The VBAC Link offers. She goes through all of the resources from the Parents’ Course to the Doula Training to The VBAC Link Community and CBAC Community Facebook groups to blogs, newsletter emails,…
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In this episode of “The VBAC Link Podcast,” Meagan is joined by Lauren from Alabama. Lauren’s first birth was a Cesarean due to breech presentation where she really wasn’t given any alternative options. Her second was a VBAC with a head-down baby, and her third was a breech VBAC with a provider who was not only supportive but advocated on her behal…
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Episode 329 Ashley's VBAC + Inverted T Scar & Extension + “You Will Never Have a Vaginal Birth
43:07
Women of Strength, we have a truly inspiring story for you today! Ashley joins us from the Liverpool/Sydney area in Australia and shares her VBAC with an inverted T special scar and extension story. During her first Cesarean, Ashley’s OB mentioned that she had only performed that kind of incision one other time in her entire career and that Ashley …
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Grace found The VBAC Link Podcast while still in the hospital after her first unexpected C-section. Her recovery was brutal and she knew she never wanted to experience that again. Grace is a labor and delivery nurse located on the Wisconsin/Illinois border. She shares what it was like preparing for her VBAC while working at a hospital that didn’t s…
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Episode 328 Amy's VBAC + Meeting Your Provider in the Middle + Breathing Tips from our VBAC Link Doula Desiree
42:12
With her first birth, Amy hired a doula and planned to birth at a birth center. During labor, her baby kept having late heart decels which led to transferring to the hospital. At the hospital, Amy stalled at 9.5 centimeters. Baby was having a hard time descending and continued having decels. Amy chose to have a Cesarean and while she was at peace w…
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Text Hannah! 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 …
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Adriana is a scientist and professor at New Mexico State University in Las Cruces, New Mexico. During her first pregnancy, Adriana was faced with the possibility of her baby having a severe genetic disease. She became so involved in researching the details of it that she didn’t consider the need to research her birthing options as intensely. Howeve…
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