The VBAC Link

Fitness trainer, doula, and VBAC mama Gina Conley is working to get her Masters in Exercise Science, and applying all of that schooling to matters related to pregnancy and childbirth. In this Special Episode, we pick her brain and she touches on a range of topics including preparing your pelvis for childbirth and baby positioning. You can find her @mamastefit on Instagram and at mamastefit.com. 

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Topics / keywords: LOA, ROA, LOT, pelvis, pelvic types, mamastefit

Fran's first pregnancy miscarried.

During her second pregnancy, she and her husband unexpectedly moved across the country in her 36th week, after both being offered jobs that they couldn't pass up, which understandably caused some stress and chaos. But as we know, babies don't wait, no matter what chaos is happening in mom's life.

Fran didn't have much of a birth plan. She got to 10 centimeters. But problems with the epidural catheter, among other things, led to a C-section. And physical complications in postpartum recovery ushered in a rocky start to her newfound parenthood.

For her third pregnancy, she dove in headfirst and did a bunch of research to learn what her options were for delivery.

A new complication with this pregnancy was her high blood pressure, but that didn't stop her from getting her VBAC.

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Topics/keywords: miscarriage, epidural, postpartum, chiropractor, induction, fear processing

Having trouble getting pregnant again, they took the route of intrauterine insemination, which was successful. But, understandably, in the back of her mind, Sarah wondered if this one too would miscarry.

Better news this time. The pregnancy went the duration, and she was fully prepared when she went to the hospital to have the baby, or she thought she was.

Labor was not pleasant (I mean, is it for anybody?), and even though she reached 10 centimeters dilation, the hospital staff pushed her into agreeing to a C-section.

She had difficulty finding a supportive provider or even a midwife after finding out she was pregnant again a year or two later, so she said to herself, 'You know what? Fine. I'll do it myself, at home. No medication, no intervention, no nothing. Just me and my husband.'

And, she went through with it. Hear how it went for her in this episode.

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Topics/keywords: trans machine (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation machine), nitrous oxide, birth plan, pelvic organ prolapse, Autonomous Birth Project on FB, Birth Uprising, 

Today we are talking about the impact COVID-19 is having on the birth world. Hospital policies seem to change daily and restrictions are being put in place to limit the number of people allowed to support the birth giver, in most cases to just one support person. How should you navigate these constant changes as a birthing parent and as a birth professional? Listen in as we dig deep and talk about the things we are seeming and how we are working through them. 

Birth Monopoly put out a great list of resources lately of policies and guidelines from reputable organizations that you can use to help advocate for lower restrictions on doulas, here is the list but we encourage you to go to their website for even more detailed information. 

– Community letter to hospitals [link]– AWHONN position statement on continuous support [linked above and here]– WHO (World Health Organization) brief on “Companion of choice during labor” [link]– DONA (Doulas of North America) recommendations on “COVD-19 & Doulas” [link]– ACOG and SMFM (Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine) guidance for providers on treating pregnant patients suspected of or confirmed to have the virus [link]– CDC recommendations for treating patients suspected of or confirmed to have the virus [link]– CDC recommendations for inpatient obstetric healthcare settings [link]– DONA letter to hospitals [link]– ACOG practice advisory on COVID-19 [link]– ACOG committee opinion on “Approaches to Limit Intervention During Labor and Birth” [link]

Even though Jennifer's first birth was a scheduled C-section, it still provided for some shocking surprises. But in the end, it all worked out, and it wasn't a terrible experience for everyone involved.

It was recommended to her that she not get pregnant again for a minimum of 12 months after that birth. But it so happened that she found herself pregnant again after only 4 months after her first was born. Surprisingly, she didn't have too much trouble in being approved by her provider to try for a VBAC.

Her second was born via VBAC without complications, except for some significant tearing and lots of stitches. Then for her third, she wanted to go for a home birth VBAC. Listen and find out how that went for her. And listen towards the end of the show about the repercussions for her midwife for allowing a home birth under these conditions.

But wait, there's more.

For her fourth baby, she wanted to go for a home water birth VBAC. Would this prove as successful as her others?

Even though this is very much a shorter episode, it's still packed with great stories and great information.

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Topics/keywords: placenta previa, rubella, four-month interval between birth and pregnancy, short interval, stitches, home birth, water birth, Irish twins, 

Valerie Schwalbe is a physical therapist specializing in pelvic health. But she's had so much hard core schooling and has been practicing for so many years, that she can speak authoritatively on any number of topics.

Julie and Meagan pepper her with questions about a bunch of stuff that many of you will find informative and useful.

Find her in Murray, Utah at https://www.wellbeingphysicaltherapy.com/

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Topics / keywords: pelvic floor, chronic pelvic tension, incontinence, shapes of poop, kegals, pelvic floor dysfunction

Sadly, Brittany's first pregnancy ended with a miscarriage.

Her second pregnancy did not miscarry, and like so many first time mothers, she had some sort of vague idea that she wanted what she thought of as 'unmedicated, natural childbirth.' Which is all well and good, but when she reached her due date, a bunch of stuff came flying at her, and fast. More or less regular pregnancy and childbirth stuff, but she just wasn't ready for it and didn't have a backup plan.

And again like so many first time mothers, she was left disappointed and sad when that first baby was delivered via C-section.

Her next pregnancy was uneventful, just like her previous one. But with her first child, she didn't really get to a stage where contractions had a chance to kick in. This third pregnancy, however, labor started early and lasted a long time. How long?

Two and a half eventful days. Powerful, intense contractions every 5 minutes. Almost no sleep.

Did all of that labor pay off with a VBAC baby? Listen and find out.

Find out more about all things VBAC at thevbaclink.com.blog

Topics/keywords: military peace corps joke, miscarriage, long labor, small pelvis

Even though Nicole hoped for a natural birth with her first, her high blood pressure put the kibosh on that, and she was off to surgery for a C-section, even after days of laboring. And even though the actual Cesarean procedure wasn't that traumatic for her, the post-birth aftermath, particularly with the hospital staff, is what drove her to try for a VBAC with her second.

Her second pregnancy was progressing beautifully en route to her planned VBAC. Until her third trimester when her baby started doing somersaults in her womb just about every other day, and Nicole's high blood pressure started flaring up again. And when the day came, things were looking worse and worse.

Did she make it to her VBAC finish line, or would she be wheeled off to surgery again? Listen and find out.

Find out more about why baby's go breech and what you can do about it at https://www.thevbaclink.com/why-babies-go-breech-and-5-things-you-can-do-about-it/

Topics/keywords- breech baby, VBAC calculator, high blood pressure, chronic hypertension, preeclampsia

Brooke thought she was all set up in her VBAC attempt with her second baby- a supportive provider, excellent progress reports through the weeks, trusty midwife at her side, husband cheering her on every step of the way.

Then, her provider went Brutus on her and stabbed her in the back (figuratively, not literally), leaving her with few options with only a handful of weeks before her due date.

Then things got worse. Her initial consultation with her new provider went less than promisingly when that provider's first statement was "If you want to have a VBAC, don't come to this hospital."

The only potentially good thing to come from that meeting was a recommendation of another hospital that would likely give her a shot at a VBAC.

Did that work out for her and her baby? Listen and find out.

Find out more about how to find a supportive provider at https://www.thevbaclink.com/post/vbac-provider

Kara’s first baby was a C-section, with additional physical trauma and an extended hospital stay. Her second baby was an attempted VBAC, but this one, too, was a C-section; although this time, it was much less stressful for Kara, and she had an overall better experience.

With her third baby, Kara was more determined than ever to deliver vaginally. It helped immensely that her provider was 100% one her side and supportive from the get-go.

However, as she approached the finish line, signs were pointing to another C-section. Even with Pitocin, she wasn’t progressing and or dilated at all, and wasn’t really contracting; However, her provider had a couple of clever techniques up her sleeve.

Would those techniques finally provide the means for Kara to achieve her VBAC? Listen and find out.