Welcome to Episode 16 of the Australian VBAC Stories Podcast!
Today, on the International Day of the Midwife (5th May), we are so excited to be sharing Kim's incredible birth stories! Kim shares her inspiring and awesome journey to a VBA3C, including 3 public hospital caesarean births and then a VBA3C with a private midwife.
Kim's first pregnancy resulted in a little girl born via caesarean due to high blood pressure and breech positioning at her local, low-risk public hospital. While Kim wasn't thrilled at the prospect of birthing via caesarean she describes that she had a positive caesarean experience, but also that her partner (Nick) struggled with this birth given it was unexpected and he hadn't experienced theatre previously. Kim describes her breastfeeding journey and the sudden conception of her next two babies within a year of birth each time. Given the local public hospital didn't support VBAC she prepared herself for a repeat caesarean each time, though she did ask about VBAC not only at her local hospital, but further afield as well.
A little over a year after her 3rd baby's birth, which was another caesarean, Kim found out she was pregnant again! In the interim she had spoken with a private midwife and this time she knew she was going to plan a VBAC! She contacted the private midwife, Ashlee Anslow, who had admitting rights at a hospital about 2 hours away and she prepared for her VBA3C.
Kim's story is rich with information and inspiration, guiding women towards trusting their innate knowledge and intuition. It not only talks about her incredible VBA3C but also about her caesarean experiences, pelvic floor and core rehabilitation, navigating breastfeeding struggles, having small age gaps between children, relationship changes and dynamics with multiple babies and the fragmented hospital system. Kim describes navigating all of these hurdles in an empowered and conscious way, finally celebrating the triumph of birthing her baby into her arms, in the water, after having not experienced a single contraction during any birth prior.
We know you'll be so inspired by Kim's powerful story and can take so much hope, information and encouragement from her sharing. Thank you, Kim!
Please join us on our journey to bringing you all kinds of VBAC stories from across the country from here on in by subscribing and following us on social media, @australianvbacstories on Instagram and Australian VBAC Stories on Facebook.
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If you are feeling that you might benefit from mental health support after listening to our podcast, please reach out to one of the organisations below:
PANDA https://panda.org.au/
Gidget Foundation https://www.gidgetfoundation.org.au/
COPE Australia https://www.cope.org.au/
If you've experienced mistreatment or disrespectful care in your pregnancy, birth or postpartum and are seeking advocacy support, please contact one of the following organisations:
Maternity Choices Australia https://www.maternitychoices.org/
Maternity Consumer Network https://www.maternityconsumernetwork.org.au/
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