The Journey to VBAC

By Petra Cruz

🎙️ 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... more

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FAQs about The Journey to VBAC:

How many episodes does The Journey to VBAC have?

The podcast currently has 90 episodes available.

The Journey to VBAC episodes:

May 08, 2025 88.How to Mentally Prepare for the Birth You Actually Want (Even After Trauma)
This conversation with Misty Rauscher was 🔥
She is a Trauma Recovery Coach and Transformational Life Coach. Misty specializes in mindset, visualization, and helping people navigate the mental “what ifs” that often come up after difficult or traumatic birth experiences.
In this episode, we explore how Misty helps people “clear the slate” from previous births and create a powerful, grounded vision for their next experience — in both pregnancy and postpartum.
Whether you’re preparing for a VBAC or simply wanting to feel more at peace with your story, this conversation will leave you feeling seen, empowered, and inspired to claim your healing.
Highlights from this episode:
🔥 How trauma from previous births shows up mentally and emotionally in future pregnancies
🔥 Why mindset and visualization are essential tools for preparing for birth
🔥 Misty’s process for helping birthing people rewrite their inner narrative and build confidence
🔥 The power of making space for grief, truth, and possibility — all at once
If you’re holding onto fear, doubt, or trauma from a previous birth, this episode will offer you hope and real tools for transformation.
🎙️Connect with Misty Rauscher ⤵️
Instagram: @mistyrauscher

Connect with me ⤵️
Instagram: @thejourneytovbac and @Birthing_Come_True
Website: www.birthingcometrue.com
Email: [email protected]

✨ Want to feel more confident on your VBAC journey and have the support you've been hoping for? Check out my VBAC community here: The Journey to VBAC Membership
✨ Have questions or an experience to share? DM me on Instagram: @birthing_come_true
👉 If this episode resonated with you, let me know! Leave a review or share it with a friend who needs to hear this.
🎧 Download one of my freebies to get on my email list for VBAC tips and special offers!
⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Free step-by-step VBAC success guide⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

I'd so appreciate it if you'd rate and review this show wherever you're listening from. I'm grateful you've taken time out of your day to listen—thank you!
...more
26min
March 22, 2025 87. International Cesarean Awareness Network, who they are and how they can help you on your VBAC journey
I have the pleasure of welcoming the International Cesarean Awareness Network (ICAN) to share the incredible work they do for VBAC hopefuls and cesarean awareness.

Highlights from this episode:
🔥 What the International Cesarean Awareness Network (ICAN) is and why it matters for VBAC hopefuls
🔥 How ICAN supports women in advocating for their birth choices and finding evidence-based information
🔥 Ways to get involved and donate to help ICAN continue its mission of supporting VBAC and cesarean awareness
I’m so happy to participate in this 3rd edition of Podcasthon! For one week, more than a thousand podcasts will highlight a charity of their choice. And today, I chose ICAN for you!

🎙️Connect with ICAN ⤵️
Website: ⁠https://www.ican-online.org/
Find a local chapter: ⁠https://www.ican-online.org/chapters/
Donate to support ICAN’s mission: ⁠https://www.ican-online.org/donate/

Connect with me ⤵️
Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@thejourneytovbac⁠ ⁠and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@Birthing_Come_True⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.birthingcometrue.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
Email: ⁠[email protected]
✨ Want to feel more confident on your VBAC journey and have the support you've been hoping for? Check out my VBAC community here:⁠ ⁠The Journey to VBAC Membership⁠⁠
✨ Have questions or an experience to share? DM me on Instagram:⁠ ⁠@thejourneytovbac⁠
👉 If this episode resonated with you, let me know! Leave a review or share it with a friend who needs to hear this.
🎧 Download one of my freebies to get on my email list for VBAC tips and special offers!
⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Free step-by-step VBAC success guide⁠⁠⁠
I'd so appreciate it if you'd rate and review this show wherever you're listening from. I'm grateful you've taken time out of your day to listen—thank you!
...more
12min
March 12, 2025 86. Why I stayed silent in birth and how I finally spoke up and took my power back!
Have you ever felt like staying quiet was easier? That if you just “went with the flow,” everything would work out?
I used to believe that too. From my childhood to my first three births, I stayed small, trusting others over myself.

But when I found my voice, everything changed—especially in my VBA3C journey.

In this episode, I’m sharing a deeply personal speech I gave in person about my journey from silence to self-advocacy.
‼️ Fair warning—the audio isn’t the best! The event was outside, in the middle of a storm, with people moving around everywhere. But I feel the message is powerful, and if you’d rather watch it, you can check it out on YouTube. ⬇️

✨ Want to feel more confident on your VBAC journey and have the support you've been looking for?
Check out my VBAC community: The Journey to VBAC Membership

🎥 Watch the speech on YouTube here: Click Here

💬 Let’s connect!
Instagram: @birthing_come_true
Facebook: Birthing Come True

Website: Birthingcometrue.com

More in-person speeches are coming soon—I can’t wait to share more of my journey with you!
...more
24min
March 05, 2025 85. The hidden link between mineral depletion and having the energy you need postpartum
Highlights from this episode:
🔥 The optimal time for testing your mineral levels
🔥 How to make sure you have optimal minerals to help you have more energy postpartum
🔥 Who this test is for and how to utilize the results to help you stabilize your moods and menstrual cycle
Connect with Vanda ⤵️
Instagram:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@wellness.with.vanda
Website: https://www.wellnesswithvanda.com/
Vanda’s free gift- natural energy guide: https://wellnesswithvanda.myflodesk.com/m4mguide

Connect with me, Petra ⤵️
Instagram:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@birthing_come_true⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Birthing Come True⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Birthingcometrue.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
Email: [email protected]

✨ Want to feel more confident on your VBAC journey and have the support you've been hoping for? Check out my VBAC community here: ⁠The Journey to VBAC Membership⁠
✨ Have questions or an experience to share? DM me on Instagram: ⁠@birthing_come_true⁠
👉 If this episode resonated with you, let me know! Leave a review or share it with a friend who needs to hear this.
Download one of my freebies to get on my email list for tips and special offers!
⁠⁠⁠⁠Free step-by-step VBAC success guide⁠⁠
----------------------------------------------------
Let's Connect!
✨ The Journey to VBAC Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.birthingcometrue.com/vbacpodcast⁠
✨ Follow me on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@thejourneytovbac ⁠and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@Birthing_Come_True⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
I'd so appreciate it if you'd rate and review this show wherever you're listening from. I'm grateful you've taken time out of your day to listen, thank you!
...more
29min
February 27, 2025 84. The danger of 'Going with the Flow' in birth—what no one tells you
Have you ever felt like staying quiet was the easiest path? That if you just "went with the flow," things would work out?

I totally get it—I used to think the same way. But what I’ve learned is this: doing nothing is still making a decision. And when it comes to birth, passive choices often default to the system’s preferences—not yours.
In this episode, we dive into:
✅ Why "going with the flow" isn’t always the best option.
✅ How silence can lead to interventions you didn’t plan for.
✅ Simple ways to take an active role in your birth experience.
💡 Your silence can shape your birth story just as much as your voice can.

✨ Want to feel more confident on your VBAC journey and have the support you've been hoping for? Check out my VBAC community here: The Journey to VBAC Membership
✨ Have questions or an experience to share? DM me on Instagram: @birthing_come_true

👉 If this episode resonated with you, let me know! Leave a review or share it with a friend who needs to hear this.

Download one of my freebies to get on my email list for tips and special offers!

⁠⁠⁠Free step-by-step VBAC success guide⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Free VBAC myths guide, which has 6 debunked myths.⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠

⁠Join The Journey to VBAC Membership⁠

⁠VBAC Membership Sneak Peek⁠

Connect with me, Petra ⤵️
Instagram:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@birthing_come_true⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Birthing Come True⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Birthingcometrue.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
Email:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
The International Cesarean Awareness Network:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://www.ican-online.org/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠✨ ⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Free VBAC Myths Guide⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
----------------------------------------------------
Let's Connect!
✨ The Journey to VBAC Website:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.birthingcometrue.com/vbacpodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
✨ Follow me on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@thejourneytovbac⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@Birthing_Come_True⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
I'd so appreciate it if you'd rate and review this show wherever you're listening from. I'm grateful you've taken time out of your day to listen. Thank you!
...more
28min
February 19, 2025 83. ADHD, Overwhelm & Birth Trauma—How They’re Connected and What to do about it
Owning your VBAC journey isn’t just about physical preparation—it’s about healing from the inside out.
Trauma, anxiety, and even ADHD can shape how we experience pregnancy, birth, and postpartum, often in ways we don’t even realize. If you’ve ever felt tension in your body, struggled with racing thoughts, or carried shame around your past birth experiences, this episode is for you.
I’m joined by Joy Acaso, who breaks down how unresolved trauma manifests physically, why anxiety and ADHD feel louder in pregnancy and postpartum, and—most importantly—what you can do about it.
Some highlights from the episode:
🔥 How Trauma Lives in the Body – Understanding why emotional pain often shows up as tension, discomfort, or even chronic pain.
🔥 Joy shares a simple but powerful practice to start processing and releasing stored trauma.
🔥 ADHD, Anxiety, & Motherhood – Why neurodivergent brains struggle more in pregnancy/postpartum and how to work with your brain, not against it.
🔥 How hospital systems set us up to feel like we’re failing, and why it’s not your fault!
🔥 Actionable steps to shift your mindset, break free from overwhelm, and move forward with confidence on your VBAC journey.
You don’t have to carry this weight alone. Tune in to learn how to start healing, feeling more in control, and stepping into your VBAC with clarity and confidence. 💛

Connect with Joy ⤵️
Instagram:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@joyacaso
Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Joy Acaso Coaching
Website: https://joyacaso.com/
Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]
Download Joy's free resource:
The Calm Within: Tools To Help You Regulate Your Emotions In Stressful Times

Download one of my freebies to get on my email list for tips and special offers!

⁠⁠⁠Free step-by-step VBAC success guide⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Free VBAC myths guide, which has 6 debunked myths.⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠

⁠Join The Journey to VBAC Membership⁠

⁠VBAC Membership Sneak Peek⁠

Connect with me, Petra ⤵️
Instagram:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@birthing_come_true⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Birthing Come True⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Birthingcometrue.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
Email:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

The International Cesarean Awareness Network:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://www.ican-online.org/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
----------------------------------------------------
Let's Connect!
✨ The Journey to VBAC Website:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.birthingcometrue.com/vbacpodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
✨ Follow me on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@thejourneytovbac⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@Birthing_Come_True⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
I'd so appreciate it if you'd rate and review this show wherever you're listening from. I'm grateful you've taken time out of your day to listen. Thank you!
...more
43min
February 12, 202582. Flexibility in birth prepares you for the rest of your life
I know that's a bold statement, but it's true. It's science-backed!
Some highlights from the episode:
Episode Highlights:
🔥 How Your Mindset Shapes Your Birth –The surprising research showing that attitudes, emotions, and cognitive flexibility can influence labor progress, epidural use, and even Cesarean rates.
🔥 The Science Behind Mental Flexibility – Learn why being adaptable during birth isn’t just a nice idea—it’s actually linked to better birth outcomes, according to recent studies.
🔥 Practical Strategies to Strengthen Your VBAC Mindset – Get actionable tips to reframe fears, build confidence, and prepare your mind for the unpredictability of birth.
🔥 Why Mental Prep is Just as Important as Physical Prep – We train our bodies for birth, but what about our minds? Learn how shifting your beliefs can make a real difference in your VBAC journey.

Download one of my freebies to get on my email list for tips and special offers!

⁠⁠Free step-by-step VBAC success guide⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠Free VBAC myths guide, which has 6 debunked myths.⁠⁠ ⁠⁠

Join The Journey to VBAC Membership

VBAC Membership Sneak Peek

Resources from episode:
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ejsp.2940
https://www.jwatch.org/wh200302190000001/2003/02/19/friedman-curve-obsolete-approach-labor
https://evidencebasedbirth.com/friedmans-curve-and-failure-to-progress-a-leading-cause-of-unplanned-c-sections/
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ejsp.2940

Connect with me, Petra ⤵️
Instagram:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@birthing_come_true⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Birthing Come True⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Birthingcometrue.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
Email:⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠
The International Cesarean Awareness Network:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://www.ican-online.org/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
⁠⁠⁠⁠✨ ⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Free VBAC Myths Guide⁠⁠⁠⁠
----------------------------------------------------
Let's Connect!
✨ The Journey to VBAC Website:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.birthingcometrue.com/vbacpodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
✨ Follow me on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@thejourneytovbac⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@Birthing_Come_True⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
I'd so appreciate it if you'd rate and review this show wherever you're listening from. I'm grateful you've taken time out of your day to listen. Thank you!
...more
21min
February 05, 2025 81. Why you need a VBAC specific birth plan
Some highlights from the episode:
🔥 Why a birth plan is so important to create
🔥 What you can include on your birth plan
🔥 The deeper meaning behind birth plans
🔥 How a birth plan can change your birth outcome

Listen to the end to hear a special offer!!

Download one of my freebies to get on my email list for tips and special offers!

⁠Free step-by-step VBAC success guide⁠

⁠⁠⁠Free VBAC myths guide, which has 6 debunked myths.⁠⁠ ⁠

⁠⁠⁠Join The Journey to VBAC Membership waitlist⁠⁠⁠ -doors open Friday, February 7th!

Connect with me, Petra ⤵️
Instagram:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@birthing_come_true⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Birthing Come True⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Birthingcometrue.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
Email: ⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠
The International Cesarean Awareness Network:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://www.ican-online.org/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
⁠⁠⁠✨ ⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Free VBAC Myths Guide⁠⁠⁠
----------------------------------------------------
Let's Connect!
✨ The Journey to VBAC Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.birthingcometrue.com/vbacpodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠
✨ Follow me on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@thejourneytovbac⁠⁠⁠ ⁠and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@Birthing_Come_True⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
I'd so appreciate it if you'd rate and review this show wherever you're listening from. I'm grateful you've taken time out of your day to listen, thank you!
...more
32min
January 30, 2025 80. How to choose your birth team
Some highlights from the episode:
🔥 Who you choose to be on your birth team can make your experience great or terrible
🔥 Each birth support member's potential role
🔥 How to choose your birth team
🔥 Red flags to look out for when interviewing your potential birth team member

Listen to the end to hear a special offer!!

Download one of my freebies to get on my email list for tips and special offers!

Free step-by-step VBAC success guide

⁠⁠Free VBAC myths guide, which has 6 debunked myths.⁠⁠

⁠⁠Join The Journey to VBAC Membership waitlist⁠⁠ -doors open January 31st!

Connect with me, Petra ⤵️
Instagram:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@birthing_come_true⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Birthing Come True⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Birthingcometrue.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
Email: ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠
The International Cesarean Awareness Network:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://www.ican-online.org/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
⁠⁠✨ ⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Free VBAC Myths Guide⁠⁠
----------------------------------------------------
Let's Connect!
✨ The Journey to VBAC Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.birthingcometrue.com/vbacpodcast⁠⁠⁠
✨ Follow me on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@thejourneytovbac⁠⁠ ⁠and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@Birthing_Come_True⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
I'd so appreciate it if you'd rate and review this show wherever you're listening from. I'm grateful you've taken time out of your day to listen, thank you!
...more
28min
January 23, 2025 79. How your past birth trauma or fear shapes your present and How to Heal It
Some highlights from the episode:
🔥 Why healing through your previous birth is so important
🔥 Practical advice for starting your healing journey

⁠Download the free VBAC myths guide, which has 6 debunked myths.⁠

⁠Join The Journey to VBAC Membership waitlist⁠

Connect with me, Petra ⤵️
Instagram:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@birthing_come_true⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Birthing Come True⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Birthingcometrue.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
Email: ⁠[email protected]⁠
The International Cesarean Awareness Network:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://www.ican-online.org/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
⁠✨ ⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Free VBAC Myths Guide⁠
----------------------------------------------------
Let's Connect!
✨ The Journey to VBAC Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.birthingcometrue.com/vbacpodcast⁠⁠
✨ Follow me on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@thejourneytovbac⁠ ⁠and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@Birthing_Come_True⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
I'd so appreciate it if you'd rate and review this show wherever you're listening from. I'm grateful you've taken time out of your day to listen, thank you!
...more
25min

FAQs about The Journey to VBAC:

How many episodes does The Journey to VBAC have?

The podcast currently has 90 episodes available.

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