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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The Ultimate VBAC Prep Course for Parents

Online VBAC Doula Training

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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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The Ultimate VBAC Prep Course for Parents

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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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The Ultimate VBAC Prep Course for Parents

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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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How to VBAC: The Ultimate Prep Course for Parents

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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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How to VBAC: The Ultimate Prep Course for Parents

Online VBAC Doula Training

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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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How to VBAC: The Ultimate Prep Course for Parents

Online VBAC Doula Training

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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

Vanessa’s Instagram

Vanessa’s Facebook

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How to VBAC: The Ultimate Prep Course for Parents

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We are so excited to have Nicole Vandermeyen with Subtle Healing Health on the podcast today!

Nicole shares how her history of childhood leukemia and awful first pregnancy and birth experience solidified her commitment to holistic health. Through subtle changes in nutrition and influence healing, her overall health improved drastically, and she now helps other women do the same! 

As a holistic health practitioner and a mother, Nicole specializes in working with clients who are working on building stronger family bonds and emotional resilience. She even shares some specifics techniques you can try that can make a huge difference!

Nicole’s YouTube Channel

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We are so happy to have Julie Sawaya back with us on The VBAC Link Podcast today! 

Julie is the co-founder of Needed, a mama, and a lifelong nutrition nerd. As the most nutritionally aware of their friends, Julie and her co-founder Ryan were shocked to realize through nutrient testing that they were severely deficient in key nutrients needed for a healthy pregnancy. They dug into the research and realized they were not alone. 

97% of women take a prenatal, and yet 95% have nutrient deficiencies. Most prenatal vitamins just weren't cutting it. So Julie and Ryan started Needed to create a new, higher standard for perinatal health. Together they've redesigned the products, education, and experiences women need. 

From their prenatals to their cognitive support to their collagen protein, our team personally uses and loves Needed products. We love Julie’s heart for educating women in an empowering way— exactly what we stand for here at TVL!

Needed Research Info

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Like the literal hurricane she labored through, Nicole’s story is one of overcoming life’s storms, giving grace, and finding joy. 

Nicole’s first birth was a C-section to best protect her daughter who had a low heart rate due to multiple congenital heart defects. But unfortunately after three precious years, her daughter passed. 

Nicole worked hard to find healing from so much layered emotional and medical trauma. When she was ready to have another baby, she knew she wanted a VBAC. Nicole researched heavily, formed a trusting partnership with her provider, and was very intentional about every decision along the way.

Her second birth experience was a true testament to the powerful lessons birth teaches in all of its intimate ways. Nicole’s second sweet daughter made her way into the world via VBAC at 12:21 am just minutes after her first daughter’s birthday— a powerful symbol that Nicole knew signified a new day and a beautiful new chapter.

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How to VBAC: The Ultimate Prep Course for Parents

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