In today’s episode, Meagan chats with our friend, Hannah, who is a mom to three little ones under the age of 4. Hannah has had two VBACs that were both unique in their own ways. Her first birth was an induction that led to an unplanned Cesarean. She was induced for the convenience of avoiding the upcoming holidays and to prevent her baby from getting too big if she chose to wait for spontaneous labor. 

While her Cesarean was straightforward and a positive birth, avoiding another tough recovery was the biggest reason why she wanted to have a VBAC.

Hannah’s second birth included late onset gestational diabetes, PROM (premature rupture of membranes), and a VBAC with a 3rd-degree tear in every direction. With her third birth, she also had late onset gestational diabetes, spontaneous labor, a stall, a scary shoulder dystocia, and a VBAC with a 2nd-degree tear. 

Hannah says that even with the complications during her VBACs, she would choose those recoveries over her Cesarean recovery every time. We know the choice to VBAC is deeply personal, but an easier recovery is often a huge benefit to having a VBAC! 

Discussion Topics: shoulder dystocia, 18-month duration, close pregnancy duration, two VBAC stories, labor dystocia, calcium bicarbonate, TUMs, Pitocin, induction, uterine receptors, PROM (premature rupture of membranes), holidays, Cesarean recovery, perineal tears, late onset gestational diabetes, epidural, hospital VBAC, backup doula, unavailable provider, failure to progress

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Our co-founder, Julie Francom, hosts today’s episode with Heather from Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Heather talks today about her journey with IVF for her first pregnancy and conceiving spontaneously with her second. 

Heather’s first birth involved infertility, ovulation inducers, IUI’s (including a chemical pregnancy), solo appointments during COVID, and a C-section due to fetal tachycardia. 

She conceived naturally with her second, and also talks about the power of a chiropractor and the details of her positive VBAC induction at 39 weeks at only 1cm and 10% effaced due to gestational hypertension. Heather had a Foley bulb, Pitocin, lots of movement, Fentanyl, an epidural, peanut ball, AROM, pushed for a few hours, and met her sweet baby! 

The Fertility Docs Uncensored Podcast

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We are so excited to have Deb Flashenberg on the podcast today! She is the founder and director of the Prenatal Yoga Center in NYC. Along with being a prenatal yoga teacher, she is also a doula, Lamaze childbirth educator, Postpartum Corrective Exercise Specialist, Spinning Babies Parent Educator and mother of two. 

After a tough first birth experience, Deb became incredibly passionate about all things pelvic health. She started her own podcast, Yoga | Birth | Babies, and joins Meagan today to show us the benefits of 360-degree breathing, being comfortable with the uncomfortable, which positions to shoot for in the each stage of labor, and how to find “Goldilocks” within our pelvic floor!

Breathe with Deb on YouTube

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Happy Wednesday, Women of Strength! Today we are joined by our friend, Nichole, from Nevada who shares her SEVEN birth stories. Nichole has had a wild ride when it comes to birth. Every story is so different and so unique. This episode is jam-packed with things like placental abruption, NICU time, preeclampsia, a surprise HBA2C, induced VBA2C, changing providers, and two VBA3C stories. 

Her last birth, a 2VBA3C, sparks an important conversation about how interventions can sometimes be a necessary part of a successful VBAC. Knowing the general pros and cons of interventions is just the first step. We all then have to apply what we’ve learned to our specific situations, adapt, and do what feels best to us!

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We are bringing back the VBAC dads!! In this rebroadcast, Julie and Meagan interview 5 VBAC dads who share their tips, fears, and highlights of the VBAC journey.

Each dad answers these questions:

- What do you wish you knew before VBAC and what are you glad you did know?

- Did you have any fears for your partner and what helped you overcome them?

- Did you have a doula and would you recommend one?

- What advice would you give a birth partner preparing for a VBAC?

Let’s hear it for all of those supportive birth partners out there bringing in the oxytocin boosts and positive affirmations! 🙌

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After a peaceful, scheduled Cesarean for breech presentation, Erika knew she wanted a VBAC—even before becoming pregnant again. 

When red flags appeared with her original provider, she switched to a supportive OB who stayed steady even when Erika had doubts. 

Erika prepared deeply with The VBAC Link Podcast episodes, blogs, pelvic floor PT, chiropractic care, and a skilled doula. Her healing VBAC brought immediate skin-to-skin, a dreamy uninterrupted gold hour, and ultimately helped detect a rare condition of AVM that saved her baby’s life. 

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Felicia grew up with a profound trust in the power of VBAC— her mom was a midwife and had a beautiful home birth after four Cesareans! So when Felicia’s first birth ended in a Cesarean, there was no doubt in her mind that she would pursue a VBAC next time. She educated herself, built a strong support system, obsessed over all things VBAC, and went into her second pregnancy with clarity and confidence.

But birth doesn’t always go according to plan.

Felicia shares her journey of planning for a VBAC and ultimately having a second medically necessary Cesarean after laboring hard with grace and power. She reflects on her difficult recovery, navigating grief, reconciling expectations with reality, yet still finding peace, empowerment, and healing in her experience.

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Christy shares her whirlwind VBAC story after two vaginal births and a Cesarean. After testing GBS positive, Christy made the intentional decision to deliver at a hospital she deeply trusted, even though it was 1.5 hours from home. But when labor kicked in fast and hard, she barely made it in time. Her birth progressed so quickly that while she ultimately had the birth she hoped for, she still needed to grieve the slower, more peaceful experience she had envisioned. 

During her VBAC, Christy thought she wouldn’t want to be touched—yet touch grounded her. She expected to find comfort in music and calm mantras—but discovered she was more motivated by direct, no-nonsense encouragement. Her ability to adapt came from deep trust and confidence both in herself and in her carefully chosen team.

Christy’s story is for anyone who needs a reminder that your birth story, even when unpredictable, can still be just what you need.

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In today’s episode, Anne Marie shares her intuitive, unmedicated VBAC journey. From building a trusting relationship with her supportive OBGYN to finding peace with all possible birth outcomes, her story is a powerful reminder of the strength that comes from informed decision-making and listening to our bodies!.

Anne Marie takes us through her experience of moving freely during labor, naturally finding positions that worked for her, and ultimately pushing with her knees in—a position her body instinctively chose. She talks about how she worked through fears from her previous birth and how her provider honored her autonomy every step of the way.

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Vanessa was born and raised in Brazil, a country with sky-high cesarean rates. Moving to the US inspired her to pursue her doula career, even before she became pregnant herself. 

Vanessa’s own birth experiences were very different. Her first birth was a Cesarean after a birth center transfer. While it was medically necessary, it was very unexpected and traumatic. After a lot of processing and birth trauma therapy, she was ready to give birth again. Vanessa pursued a home birth for her second birth that was wonderfully straightforward and beautiful, surrounded by the people she loved most!

She now lives just outside of Boston with her husband, two daughters and her mother. Her passion is to support other immigrant women in her community navigate the US healthcare system, and to know they have options when it comes to childbirth, especially when it comes to VBAC. 

Vanessa’s Website

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