In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Margo Lowy, a psychotherapist, author, and expert in maternal mental health, for a powerful conversation about the often unspoken emotional realities of motherhood. Dr. Lowy shares what led her to explore the concept of maternal ambivalence and how naming and normalizing our full emotional experience can transform the way we mother.

We discuss:

• What maternal ambivalence is and why it’s so misunderstood
• How embracing the “darker” emotions of motherhood can lead to deeper connection and confidence
• Why shifting cultural narratives around motherhood is essential for long-term mental health and healing

Connect with Dr. Margo Lowy:
Website: https://drmargolowy.com/
Book: Maternal Ambivalence: The Loving Moments & Bitter Truths of Motherhood
Instagram: @drmargolowy 

Text Hannah!

• 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

In this episode, I’m joined by Liz Eidelman, a New Jersey mom of two, doula, and content creator with a passion for helping women take control of their birth experiences. Liz shares her journey through two very different, yet equally challenging, births—and how those experiences sparked her desire to empower others to have satisfying, informed, and empowered births.

We discuss:

• The challenges Liz faced during her own births and how they shaped her mission to improve birth outcomes.
• The importance of true informed decision-making and what that looks like in practice for moms.
• How birth trauma can spark change not just for the mother but for the birth system as a whole.

Connect with Liz:

• Personal IG: @lizeidelman
• Doula IG: @the.sage.sister
• Website: lizeidelman.com or thesagesister.com

Text Hannah!

• 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

I have previously said that I would love to have a homebirth after cesarean (HBAC) if I had a third baby. 

Well, I've changed my mind and I'll go over why in this episode. 

I am an advocate for choice and informed consent. I believe everyone has a right to weigh the risks and benefits and decide what type of birth is best for them. Whether that be a hospital VBAC, birth center, or homebirth. 

There is no right or wrong way to give birth, only the way you feel safest and most supported.

Text Hannah!

• 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

Text Hannah!

• 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

In this episode, I'm going over the role doulas play in supporting clients through both planned and unplanned c-sections.

Many people believe that once a c-section is decided on (whether planned or unplanned), a doula is no longer needed. That is absolutely untrue. Doula support is extremely beneficial in all birth scenarios.

Text Hannah!

• 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

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Jennifer Winston, Health Data Scientist at U.S. News & World Report, to discuss the powerful data behind the rankings of the Best Hospitals for Maternity Care and Maternity Care Access Hospitals. Here's what you'll learn:

• What defines a Best Hospital for Maternity Care and a Maternity Care Access Hospital, and why they’re critical in shaping the future of maternal health.
• How U.S. News evaluates hospitals for maternity care and why their annual study is an essential resource for expectant parents.
• Why VBAC rates are included in the rankings, and how it reflects the overall quality of maternity care services.
• What makes top maternity care hospitals stand out, based on data-driven insights from U.S. News.
• How Maternity Care Access Hospitals are fighting healthcare deserts and improving accessibility to quality maternity services.
• How you can empower yourself with data to choose the best hospital for your birth and why this data matters for your VBAC or overall maternity care.

Dr. Winston offers invaluable insights into understanding how data shapes maternity care choices. Tune in to learn how data-driven maternity ratings can empower your decision-making when selecting where to give birth. Plus, find out where to access the latest Best Hospitals for Maternity Care rankings

Connect with Dr. Jennifer Winston and U.S. News & World Report:

https://health.usnews.com/best-hospitals/hospital-ratings/maternity
https://www.facebook.com/usnewsandworldreport
https://www.instagram.com/usnews
https://www.tiktok.com/@usnews
https://www.linkedin.com/company/us-news-and-world-report

Text Hannah!

• 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

In today’s episode, I'm diving into a key consideration for VBAC planning...the timing and spacing between your c-section and VBAC.

If you’re planning a VBAC then understanding the spacing between births can make a big difference. I go over ACOG guidelines but also give some personal insight into the topic and remind you to trust your gut and intuition.

https://www.acog.org/clinical/clinical-guidance/obstetric-care-consensus/articles/2019/01/interpregnancy-care

https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/vaginal-birth-after-cesarean-delivery

https://www.acog.org/clinical/clinical-guidance/practice-bulletin/articles/2019/02/vaginal-birth-after-cesarean-delivery

Text Hannah!

• 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

In today's episode I dive deep into pelvic floor PT with Dr. Jessica London, PT, DPT, PCES. I also hear a bit about her birth stories (unplanned c-section and HBAC).

Here’s what you can expect:

• How Jessica's first birth experience shaped the decision for a second homebirth, and the mental preparation involved.
• Differences in preparing for a VBAC attempt and how that preparation evolved from the first to the second homebirth.
• Insights from a pelvic floor therapist’s perspective on the unique experiences of both c-section and vaginal births.
• How postpartum recovery differs between c-section and vaginal births, and what it means for recovery and birth prep from a professional standpoint.

Connect with Dr. Jessica London:

• Website: https://www.yourpostpartumpt.com
• IG: @yourpostpartumpt
• Podcast: “What about Mom?” ---> COMING SOON!

Text Hannah!

• 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

https://www.thehannahgill.com/blog/5-questions-to-ask-your-provider-about-vbac

Text Hannah!

• 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

In today’s episode, I'm diving into an important but often overlooked factor that can make all the difference in your VBAC journey: nurse staffing. You might not have considered how hospital staffing levels can influence your VBAC success, but research shows that more nurses could mean fewer C-sections. 

I dive into:

• Why your hospital’s nurse-to-patient ratio matters more than you think.
• How staffing levels can affect your labor and VBAC success.
• Steps you can take to ensure you have the support you need during labor.

https://www.thehannahgill.com/blog/why-nurse-staffing-matters-for-vbac

Grab the advocacy module from my VBAC Is Your Birth Right Program https://thehannahgill.com/work-with-me

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0029655424002392?dgcid=author

Text Hannah!

• 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