By Ashley Winning
4.4
99 ratings
The podcast currently has 147 episodes available.
In this heartwarming and insightful episode, I sit down with renowned childbirth educator and doula Rhea Dempsey to explore the world of VBAC (Vaginal Birth After Cesarean) homebirths.
With nearly 50 years of experience, Rhea shares her wisdom on embracing the power of physiological birth, managing the “crisis of confidence” during labour, and reframing pain as a sign of strength.
Rhea also reflects on the evolving homebirth landscape in Australia, the importance of building a strong support team, and why understanding past birthing experiences is crucial for planning a VBAC homebirth.
Whether you're preparing for your next birth or supporting someone in their journey, this episode is filled with practical advice and empowering insights.
Key Topics Covered:
Resources Mentioned:
Takeaway Message:
Birth is a transformative journey. With preparation, the right mindset, and a supportive team, women can reclaim confidence and embrace the potency of their bodies.
I hope you enjoy this episode.
Ashley x
More from Ashley:
Insta: @ashleylwinning
Website: www.ashleywinning.com
Join our VBAC Homebirth Support Group here
Love the podcast? Buy me a coffee here
In this episode, I talk about my experience at the 36th Homebirth Conference.
I discuss some of the speaker topics and give a bit of an overview of the speeches, and some of my take-aways.
I was also a speaker at the homebirth conference and shared more on my experience as a speaker for the first time at the homebirth conference.
If you are curious about attending the next one, I encourage you to check it out and start planning now!
Enjoy this episode.
Ashley x
Love the podcast? Buy me a coffee here
More from Ashley:
Insta: @ashleylwinning
Website: www.ashleywinning.com
Join our VBAC Homebirth Support Group here
In this powerful episode, I chat with Carissa, a mother of three, about her journey through the medical system and towards an empowered freebirth after two C-sections.
Carissa shares her story of resilience and self-advocacy as she faced multiple challenges, including a history of PCOS, endometriosis, uterine fibroids, and a series of surgeries.
She recounts her experiences of navigating unsupportive systems, including the frustration of her first C-section being booked around her OBGYN’s holiday, and the impact of having to choose freebirth due to a lack of supportive homebirth midwives.
Carissa’s story illustrates the importance of trusting one’s body and reclaiming the birth experience.
Key Takeaways:
Trust Your Body’s Wisdom: Carissa’s journey shows the power of trusting her body’s natural ability to birth.
Advocate for Your Choices: Throughout her pregnancies, Carissa learned the importance of questioning decisions and making informed choices, even when medical professionals insisted otherwise.
Surrounding Yourself with the Right Support: The lack of supportive homebirth midwives led Carissa to freebirth, supported by her husband and friend.
Birth Is a Journey of Self-Discovery: Each birth experience brought Carissa closer to understanding her strength, and her story exemplifies how birth can be a path to self-discovery and healing.
Ashley x
Love the podcast? Buy me a coffee here
More from Ashley:
Insta: @ashleylwinning
Website: www.ashleywinning.com
Join our VBAC Homebirth Support Group here
In this episode, I take you through a journey that intertwines the practical and the visionary: my latest creations on Etsy and some thought-provoking reflections on the future of birth as we navigate an increasingly artificial world.
Episode Highlights:
2. The Future of Birth in a Highly Artificial World
3. Rehearsing for the Homebirth Conference: VBAC Homebirth - The Forgotten Woman
This episode is an invitation to reflect not only on the future of birth but on how we can all contribute to creating a more supportive environment for women’s choices.
Whether through our personal stories, creative endeavors, or advocacy work, we all play a part in shaping the birth experiences of tomorrow.
Ashley x
Love the podcast? Buy me a coffee here
More from Ashley:
Insta: @ashleylwinning
Website: www.ashleywinning.com
Join our VBAC Homebirth Support Group here
In this episode, I share my recent experience as my husband's advocate in a hospital setting.
He had a kidney stone that was very painful, and we had 3 different hospital trips from NSW to Queensland. We saw a range of different personalities, protocols and systems...and I had to step up as an advocate for him during this journey.
I'm sharing my experiences in this episode of being my husband's advocate. This is the closest it will get for me feeling like a birthing woman's partner (trust me it felt like he was in labour). He sure has a renewed respect for the birthing woman! ;)
I share ways your partner can advocate for you during birth (or yourself), some of the challenges you may need to overcome, being the clog in the system and learning to speak up for yourself.
I hope you enjoy this podcast episode,
Ashley x
Love the podcast? Buy me a coffee here
More from Ashley:
Insta: @ashleylwinning
Website: www.ashleywinning.com
Join our VBAC Homebirth Support Group here
In this episode I speak with Brooke, who shares her journey of two contrasting birth experiences – a hospital birth followed by a supported home birth after caesarean (HBAC).
Brooke, from Perth, opens up about her first pregnancy, which was unexpected and happened just before COVID hit.
She recounts her long and challenging labour, which ended in a caesarean at the hospital. Despite thorough preparation, including hypnobirthing, Brooke faced numerous interventions that left her feeling unsupported and traumatised by the experience.
In her second pregnancy, determined to have a different birth, Brooke sought continuity of care through a private midwife after finding out local midwifery programs had stopped accepting VBACs. With the support of her midwives, Brooke navigated her way through her HBAC with a calm and relaxed mindset, allowing her body to do the work.
Brooke talks about the importance of trusting your body and the process, especially after her first birth experience was filled with disruptions and unnecessary interventions. She emphasises the value of having continuity of care, particularly with someone who understands your wishes and concerns.
This episode offers insight into the reality that birth can take time and that each experience is unique. Brooke’s journey highlights how home birth provided her with the space, support, and trust she needed to bring her baby into the world on her own terms.
Key Takeaways:
Thank you for tuning in!
If you’re planning a VBAC or considering a home birth, this episode is a must-listen for insights on how to trust the process and advocate for the birth you desire.
Don't forget to subscribe, and if you enjoyed today’s episode, leave a review. See you next time!
Enjoy this episode,
Ashley
More from Ashley:
Insta: @ashleylwinning
Website: www.ashleywinning.com
Join our VBAC Homebirth Support Group here
Are you planning a VBAC homebirth and wondering how to prepare for it?
In this episode, I walk you through essential steps to get ready emotionally, mentally, and physically for your VBAC.
From processing past birth trauma and building a solid support system to practical advice on creating a calm homebirth environment, I cover it all.
You’ll also hear tips on nutrition, pain management techniques, and how to get your partner involved for a truly empowering birth experience.
Whether you’re facing fears from a previous C-section or just want to feel more confident going into your VBAC, this episode is packed with actionable steps to help you prepare.
Tune in and take control of your VBAC homebirth journey today!
Key Topics:
Don’t miss this empowering episode full of practical advice!
Listen now and get ready to take on your VBAC homebirth with confidence.
Enjoy this episode,
Ashley
More from Ashley:
Insta: @ashleylwinning
Website: www.ashleywinning.com
Join our VBAC Homebirth Support Group here
In this episode, we’re diving into a crucial topic that all new mums face—postpartum recovery after a vaginal birth.
Whether you’ve just had your HBAC baby or are preparing for your upcoming VBAC homebirth, this episode will give you insights and practical tips on what to expect during recovery, along with a list of must-have items to help make the healing process smoother.
In This Episode, We’ll Cover:
Enjoy this episode,
Ashley
More from Ashley:
Insta: @ashleylwinning
Website: www.ashleywinning.com
Join our VBAC Homebirth Support Group here
In this episode, I am sharing some information about some of the challenges that are happening for privately practising midwives here in Australia.
It's important as VBAC Homebirth mamas that we use our voice for good and stand behind ourselves, and how we want to birth.
If we can't do it for ourselves, why should anyone else do it for us!
Even if you are freebirthing by choice, it's important that every woman has a choice to birth on her terms with a midwife if she chooses.
Please consider sending a letter online, it took me less than 5 minutes - Here is the link to do so:
Click here
Share on your stories and tag me in your post, I will continue to share this so many more can see and get onto it!
Ask your friends and family to do the same (if they are homebirth pro).
Enjoy this episode,
Ashley
More from Ashley:
Insta: @ashleylwinning
Website: www.ashleywinning.com
Join our VBAC Homebirth Support Group here
Hi, everyone! It’s Ashley here, and I’m thrilled to bring you another episode of the VBAC Homebirth Stories Podcast.
This week, I had the pleasure of chatting with another Ashley, who shares her incredible breech homebirth story. Her journey is both inspiring and empowering, and I can't wait for you to hear all about it.
Before we dive in, just a quick reminder about my Homebirth Group Mentoring Programme. This is the last live round I'll be running this year, so now’s your chance to take advantage of early bird pricing.
Whether you're currently pregnant or thinking about getting pregnant soon, this programme is perfect for you. It will help you feel empowered and confident in your homebirth journey, offering you my guidance and support, as well as the chance to connect with other mums planning a VBAC or homebirth.
Over the 8-week course, you'll have access to weekly modules, and during our mentoring and connection calls, you can ask all your questions. It's a cost-effective way to receive high-quality support, much more affordable than one-on-one coaching, yet still offering that personal, individualised attention. If you're interested in joining, send me a message on Instagram or email me directly.
Now, back to today’s episode! Ashley recently gave birth just seven weeks ago, and she’s graciously agreed to share her story with us. Her strength and resilience are truly inspiring, and I know her story will resonate with many of you.
We talk about her journey through three births, with her latest baby, arriving in a breech position. Ashley’s experience navigating the healthcare system, deciding on a homebirth, and preparing for a breech delivery at home is insightful and eye-opening.
From the emotional rollercoaster of discovering her baby’s breech position late in pregnancy to the empowering decision to proceed with a homebirth, Ashley's story is a testament to trusting one's body and instincts.
During our conversation, Ashley opens up about how she managed her birth environment, the support she received from her husband, her doula, and her birth keeper, and the unexpected challenges that arose, including a retained placenta. Despite these challenges, Ashley's story is one of triumph and empowerment.
Tune in to hear Ashley’s heartfelt story, learn about the preparation that went into her homebirth, and the incredible support network she had by her side.
Enjoy this episode,
Ashley
More from Ashley:
Insta: @ashleylwinning
Website: www.ashleywinning.com
Join our VBAC Homebirth Support Group here
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