The VBAC Link

In this special episode, we talk about some of the things that parents (first-timers, second-timers, tenth-timers, etc.) will need to know and also bring to light some unexpected things that many parents simply have no idea might come into play in their birth journey. Sometimes these things happen without the parents the wiser!

Look at it like this: some parents in the past have learned these lessons the hard way or have had these things jump out at them unexpectedly, and we want to share these lessons with you. We want you to be as informed and as prepared as possible.

Find out even more in our How to VBAC Prep Course to Parents at thevbaclink.com/courses.

Towards the end of her first pregnancy, Tracy’s baby was measuring very small. That specifically wasn’t the thing that led to the C-section, but that C-section was very unpleasant for Tracy. A difficult recovery and postpartum depression compounded her struggles in the weeks after the birth.

With her second pregnancy, she ran into similar circumstances as her first, which initially put a damper on her spirits. But this time, she was resolute and more informed than before and knew when to put her foot down.

Find out all about VBAC at thevbaclink.com/blog. 

In her first pregnancy, Tatiana was very young. Her provider used some scare tactics, but Tatiana didn’t think to not trust them 100%, and the baby was delivered via C-section. Tatiana wasn’t happy about it.

Second pregnancy: Tatiana was much more prepared and educated this time. She wasn’t happy with any of the providers in her area, so she planned on a home birth VBAC (HBAC). Most of the pregnancy went smoothly and according to plan, but that last, most important part is where things got a little bit complicated. Tatiana had to go with plan B and ended up at the hospital. Although still trying for a VBAC at that point, this one, too, ended in a C-section.

Third time’s a charm? Even though the nearest VBAC-supportive provider was two hours away, Tatiana made that drive for every appointment. Prodromal labor was the new twist with this pregnancy, and towards the end, crazy complications arose and the VBA2C plan was on thin ice, only getting thinner every day. How did it turn out? Press play and find out (hint: the word 'euphoric' is used more than once).

Check out our blog, The Four Main Reasons for Cesarean, and How to Avoid Them for more info. 

Rachel’s C-section with her first left her feeling defeated and overwhelmed. Therapy helped her through the months following the birth, but when she got pregnant a second time, she feared the same thing would happen. She studied hard about her options and decided to TOLAC (trial of labor after Cesarean).

You know what they say about best-laid plans? Well, Rachel did achieve her VBAC, but to say things didn’t go exactly as planned would be an understatement. Tune in to see how her exciting journey unfolds. 

Warning: this episode includes discussions about severe postpartum depression as well as uterine rupture.

Brianna's first pregnancy ended in an unremarkable Cesarean. Unremarkable at least as far as the hospital was concerned, but to Brianna, it was emotionally devastating. Even in the weeks following her child's birth as she physically recovered, that emotional devastation and the shock of how fast everything happened in the OR and how little control she felt she had over anything stayed with her.

When her second pregnancy quickly followed her first, she obsessively researched everything having to do with VBAC, all the while knowing that a second C-section was a possibility.

She tried and tried and tried and tried, but this pregnancy also ended with a C-section. But because Brianna was much more mentally prepared for it, and because her provider and the staff were much more accommodating to her wishes this time around, it was generally a more pleasant experience for her. Although it came with a heavy toll which was much more physical than mental this time.

We are back from a nice holiday break and are happy to start off our regularly scheduled episodes with this one. 

In this episode, we speak with our friends, birth photographers and videographers Rowan Steiner and Danielle Wilstead and talk about some of the issues and expectations when documenting births.

How did you get started? What exactly do you do? What should parents expect? Do you ever run into any troubles in regards to photography bans by hospitals or providers? What are your most memorable moments?

You can find Rowan at saltcitybirth.com/

You can find Danielle at wildoakbirth.com/

We're back!!! Happy New Year! We are checking in with a fun, short episode to let you know all about what 2020 has in store for us, and YOU. Find out more about all the things we are chatting about at thevbaclink.com and register for our events across the country at thevbaclink.com/events. 

Amy has such a nice voice and a calm, pleasant phone demeanor that you can hardly imagine her as a shrieking, raging woman as she labored for hours with her VBAC attempt, when her contractions were literally coming one on top of the other.

Her first two children were born via C-section. She didn’t have the worst experience ever with either of those, but still the desire was in her heart and mind that when she found herself pregnant a third time, she would do everything she could to achieve her VBAC.

Her doctor even broke out the forceps during the delivery to help her. Hear the whole story from Amy in this episode and then find out more about assisted vaginal delivery on our blog at https://www.thevbaclink.com/post/assisted-vaginal-delivery.

After this episode we are taking a podcast holiday break in order to spend more time with our families, this will be our last episode, for the year We wish you the very best of holidays and an incredible New Year. Please join us when we come back the first Monday in January!

Initially, Allison was a little worried about her VBAC plan, because her provider seemed more VBAC tolerant than VBAC supportive. But midway through the pregnancy, her provider changed his tune to become more VBAC supportive, which was, of course, great news.

But then he flip-flopped again. But he wasn't finished yet! Another flip. And again and again and again. What’s a mother to do in this situation?

One of the best things Allison did in preparation was to have a Plan A and a Plan B. Which plan did she put into action? Did things go according to that plan, or did she have to quickly come up with a Plan C? Listen to this episode and find out. We also talk about the three things you should ask your provider to nail down whether they are VBAC supportive, VBAC tolerant, or opposed to VBAC altogether. Find three things you NEED to know about your VBAC provider on our blog at https://www.thevbaclink.com/post/vbac-provider.

Today is Meagan's birthday! I did a sneaky thing and kicked Meagan out of the recording studio mid-recording to record this very special, very secret special episode for you. Meagan has no idea what is in this episode; in fact, only two people know what it contains so, this is going to have to be a surprise for you as well. Join me as I help make Meagan's birthday a little more special by listening in and then head over to our social media pages on Facebook and/or Instagram, find her episode image, and send her some more birthday love! 

-Julie