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

https://www.thehannahgill.com/blog/everything-you-need-to-know-about-vbac-courses

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 joined by Alexis Adams, CEO and therapist at Confidently Therapy, to dive into setting boundaries during pregnancy, birth and postpartum and the mental and emotional challenges of parenting.

In this episode we cover:

• How to set boundaries without guilt and maintain them
• Overlooked aspects of mental/emotional preparation for postpartum
• Strategies for handling postpartum anxiety and guilt
• Why fear, stress, and self-doubt are heightened for new parents and how to overcome them
• The first step in moving from self-doubt to calm and connection

If you’re feeling overwhelmed or struggling with your parenting journey, this episode is packed with actionable insights to help you build confidence and find calm.

Connect with Alexis:

• Website: https://www.confidentlytherapy.org/
• Instagram: @confidently.therapy
• Email: [email protected]
• Freebie: https://confidentlytherapy.kit.com/podcastexclusive

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

On today's episode, Chelsea shares her beautiful HBAC story.

Chelsea is a podcast host, teacher, and mother who lives in Melbourne, Australia, with her partner and their two daughters.

Chelsea had an unplanned caesarean-section in hospital for her first birth and after 2+ years of preparation and research, had a beautiful, transformative VBAC at home for her second birth, surrounded by her beautiful birth team.

Connect with Chelsea:

• Podcast: Growing Up Raising Us
• Instagram: @growingupraisinguspodcast

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

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 help you prepare for your low-intervention unmedicated 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