VBAC Birth Stories

This week we chart the high seas with birth cartographer, author and artist Catherine Bell. A former marine biologist Catherine is now completing her PhD on ‘Birth Mapping’ which looks at how health care providers can work with birthing women to pursue mutually beneficial pathways in all birth settings.
We cover:- What the difference is between a birth plan and a birth map- The importance of your birth partner and support person in birth- How to ensure your care provider is on board with your VBAC pathway- How we can facilitate true women centred care and decision making in birth
We hope you enjoy our second bonus episode and find it a useful compass on your birth journey.
~ Notes ~
Catherine Bell's website:https://www.birthmap.life
Catherine Bell on Instagram -@birthmapping
Midwife Thinking Dr Rachel Reed -https://midwifethinking.com/
Dr Sarah Wickham -https://www.sarawickham.com/
Monty Python - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jg40EjBEWM0
Post Natal Depression/Anxiety support: If you or anyone you know is affected by PND symptoms particularly at this time of COVID-19 please don't hesitate to contact the following support networks.
The Gidget Foundationhttps://gidgetfoundation.org.au/get-support/,
PANDAhttps://www.panda.org.au/info-support/pandas-national-perinatal-anxiety-depression-helpline
Beyond Bluehttps://www.beyondblue.org.au/get-support/get-immediate-support
Copehttps://www.cope.org.au

**VBAC Birth Stories features women's lived experiences. It is not intended to replace medical advice. Should you have any concerns during your pregnancy please always consult your healthcare provider.
Please connect with us on Facebook or Instagram: @vbacbirthstories

In this episode we meet Jess who lives with her husband and 3 children in Samford Valley in Queensland. All of Jess’ babies presented breech, which was the reason behind her caesarean in the first place. Yet Jess went on to experience two very different vaginal births following two successful ECVs (External Cephalic Version) which involved her babies being manually turned to be in the cephalic (head down) position. Jess’ first VBAC included medical intervention and her second VBAC was an accidental homebirth which she still revels in the memory of.
Listen to the different ways Jess prepared for both of her VBACs and hear her describe the main differences in these two recoveries.
**VBAC Birth Stories features women's lived experiences. It is not intended to replace medical advice. Should you have any concerns during your pregnancy please always consult your healthcare provider.
Please connect with us on Facebook or Instagram: @vbacbirthstories

In this episode we meet Michal, a midwife and mother to 3 boys who lives with her husband in Melbourne.
Michal has had three very different birth experiences. Her most recent birth was only three months ago during the current COVID-19 pandemic where she was treated as a potential COVID-19 patient in labour due to her being ill at the time.
Michal experienced a miscarriage before falling pregnant with her first son. His birth was an emergency caesarean despite reaching full dilation - which although she desperately wanted to avoid she knew it was the right decision immediately after he was born.
When she fell pregnant again there was no hesitation as to whether or not to VBAC - she was having one. Two years after her first was born she gave birth vaginally to her second son. Although a very fulfilling VBAC there was something she wanted to do differently for her third labour, and this she did.
Little did she know she would be giving birth to her youngest son in such an unprecedented time. She speaks about how this pregnancy was riddled with anxiety, particularly towards the end when isolation and lockdown measures set in and she began to feel unwell on top of this.
Michal also generously shares suggestions to women who are giving birth at this time, particularly those in Victoria who are currently in lockdown.
She recently created an Instagram account specifically to share her experience of pregnancy and postpartum in the hope that other mothers will connect and feel less isolated on their own journey. Search for: @midmumma
~ Notes ~
Post Natal Depression/Anxiety support: If you or anyone you know is affected by PND symptoms particularly at this time of COVID-19 please don't hesitate to contact the following support networks.
The Gidget Foundationhttps://gidgetfoundation.org.au/get-support/,
PANDAhttps://www.panda.org.au/info-support/pandas-national-perinatal-anxiety-depression-helpline
Beyond Bluehttps://www.beyondblue.org.au/get-support/get-immediate-support
Copehttps://www.cope.org.au
Pregnancy Loss:https://www.bearsofhope.org.auhttps://rednosegriefandloss.org.auhttps://miscarriagesupport.org.au
**VBAC Birth Stories features women's lived experiences. It is not intended to replace medical advice. Should you have any concerns during your pregnancy please always consult your healthcare provider.
Please connect with us on Facebook or Instagram: @vbacbirthstories

In this episode we bring you three birth stories from Aimee Sing, mother of three living in the Blue Mountains in Sydney. After commencing her career in environmental science Aimee found her true calling in birth advocacy. She’s now the coordinator of Homebirth New South Wales and Homebirth Australia. She’s also the Co-founder of Homebirth Consortium Australia, and is a doula and breastfeeding counsellor.
Aimee had planned a homebirth with her eldest daughter Willow, but ultimately needed a caesarean at 36 weeks due to placental abruption. Although her caesarean was not traumatic for her, she knew she wanted to try for a vaginal birth one day even if this meant feeling just one contraction, which she didn't get to experience with Willow. Her second birth with son Hamish was a homebirth VBAC, and her third birth with Evalie was also a successful homebirth, although a very different experience to Hamish's.
Aimee shares with us that her first birth was a miscarriage at 12 weeks, and you'll hear her fertility and breastfeeding struggles and how she overcame them. You'll also hear why homebirth matters and what support can be put in place to ensure women centred decision making leads to more positive birth outcomes for all.
Aimee invites you to connect with her on her doula social media pages:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BirthAimsInstagram: @birth_aimsWebsite: https://birthaims.com.au/contact-birth-aims/
~ Notes ~
Homebirth New South Wales:https://www.homebirthnsw.org.au
Homebirth Australia:https://homebirthaustralia.org
Doula Network Australia:https://www.doulanetwork.org
Maternity Choices Australia:http://www.maternitychoices.org.au
Breastfeeding support:https://www.breastfeeding.asn.au
Pregnancy Loss:https://www.bearsofhope.org.auhttps://rednosegriefandloss.org.auhttps://miscarriagesupport.org.au
Brewer's Diet:http://drbrewerpregnancydiet.com/id96.html
**VBAC Birth Stories features women's lived experiences. It is not intended to replace medical advice. Should you have any concerns during your pregnancy please always consult your healthcare provider.
Please connect with us on Facebook or Instagram: @vbacbirthstories

In this episode we meet Amberley, a Registered Midwife (endorsed) who lives with her husband and two children in Melbourne.
Amberley was working as a midwife at the time of both of her births. Her first birth was a planned vaginal breech birth which ended in a caesarean, and although an overall positive experience and recovery she was determined to have a VBAC for her next baby.
Amberley’s reflections on both of her births are thought provoking and moving. We discuss birth plans and consent in the labour ward, and Amberley shares how she handled a loved one’s preference for her to choose a repeat caesarean over attempting a VBAC.
Amberley has a breastfeeding support business which is called Maternal Instincts by Amberley and talks to us about the services she offers in this episode including her #662movement and the inspiration behind it.
She has generously offered our listeners a $20 discount off her breastfeeding educational video series. Use the code: BOOBS20 and follow this link: https://join.maternal-instincts.com.au/video-series/?affiliate=vbacbirthstories to access the discount offer.
Connect with Amberley:
Instagram: @maternalinstinctsbyamberleyFacebook: Facebook.com/MaternalInstinctsbyAmberleyWebsite: https://www.maternal-instincts.com.au
RANZCOG (The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists) information on ‘Birth after a previous caesarean section’:
https://ranzcog.edu.au/RANZCOG_SITE/media/RANZCOG-MEDIA/Women%27s%20Health/Statement%20and%20guidelines/Clinical-Obstetrics/Birth-after-previous-Caesarean-Section-(C-Obs-38)Review-March-2019.pdf?ext=.pdf
**VBAC Birth Stories features women’s lived experiences. It is not intended to replace medical advice. Should you have any concerns during your pregnancy please always consult your healthcare provider.
Please connect with us on Facebook or Instagram: @vbacbirthstories.

In this episode we meet Marion, whose first pregnancy ended in a traumatic emergency caesarean following an induction due to what was termed ‘static growth’ of her baby in the final weeks.
Almost 44% of women that labour will be artificially induced in Australia and Marion’s experience is a testament to the birth trauma that can be experienced as a result of such intervention. While not every induction unfolds in this way- it is important to understand the effects that induction of labour can have on women and their birth outcomes.
Years later Marion equipped herself with a wealth of knowledge, skills and resources in order to achieve a vaginal home birth.
Here we will hear her story of perseverance and determination as she shows resilience in the face of true obstruction of labour in her second birth.
Marion retells of her empowerment through knowledge and her determination to give her baby the benefits of spontaneous labour regardless of the mode of birth.
The key difference between Marion’s two birth stories is the control she takes back in her second birth and the presence of truly informed consent.
~ Notes
Birth Trauma:http://www.howtohealabadbirth.com/
https://www.panda.org.au/info-support/after-birth/child-birth-trauma
The Gidget Foundationhttps://gidgetfoundation.org.au/get-support/,
Bandl's Ring:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=Bandl%27s+ring
M. Reyad & M. Quinn (2008) Pre-term uterine constriction rings and their consequences, Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 28:4, 447-448, DOI: 10.1080/01443610802138106
The Thompson Method:https://www.thethompsonmethod.com/
Spinning Babies:https://spinningbabies.com/
If this episode raises any concerns for you please don't hesitate to contact Beyond Blue for immediate support - Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636 - https://www.beyondblue.org.au/get-support/get-immediate-support
**VBAC Birth Stories features women's lived experiences. It is not intended to replace medical advice. Should you have any concerns during your pregnancy please always consult your healthcare provider.
Follow us on Facebook or Instagram @vbacbirthstories

In this episode we meet Annalise, a midwife from the Gold Coast who is a mother to three children.
Her primary caesarean was an emergency following an induction at 41 weeks for being past her due date. She was led to believe that her childhood spinal surgery for Scoliosis could have played a role in the way things unfolded in that birth. When she fell pregnant again she was told an elective caesarean would be her safest option, so she proceeded with one. She experienced post natal anxiety following this birth.
After this Annalise became a qualified midwife and fell pregnant with her surprise third baby. Despite being diagnosed with insulin dependent gestational diabetes and facing significant opposition from obstetricians Annalise tells us of how her VBAC after 2 caesareans unfolded beautifully.
Annalise’s story really highlights the importance of balanced information sharing from healthcare professionals and of having knowledge and support as a pregnant woman not only in the birth sphere but in the challenges that come in that postpartum period, including breastfeeding.
~ Notes ~
Annalise's Instagram handle: @sprout.midwife
Post Natal Depression/Anxiety support: If you or anyone you know is affected by PND symptoms please don't hesitate to contact the following support networks.
The Gidget Foundationhttps://gidgetfoundation.org.au/get-support/,
PANDAhttps://www.panda.org.au/info-support/pandas-national-perinatal-anxiety-depression-helpline
Beyond Bluehttps://www.beyondblue.org.au/get-support/get-immediate-support
**VBAC Birth Stories features women's lived experiences. It is not intended to replace medical advice. Should you have any concerns during your pregnancy please always consult your healthcare provider.
Follow us on Facebook or Instagram @vbacbirthstories

In this episode we meet Ashleigh who experienced three very different births in a Sydney public hospital under the caseload midwifery care model. Ashleigh suffered from Hyperemesis Gravidarum in her first pregnancy only. She went into preterm labour in her first birth at 36 weeks and was prepped for a caesarean after her son was showing unexplained foetal distress. She was taken into theatre where it was found that she had suffered from placental abruption during the labour. This occurs when the placenta detaches from the uterus.
Following this experience Ashleigh was steered towards the repeat caesarean path by her hospital during her second pregnancy but decided that caesarean recovery and surgery was not what she wanted. Ashleigh tested Group B strep (streptococcus) (GBS) positive in this pregnancy.
It was her caseload midwife who supported her desire to achieve a natural birth and at 39 weeks she delivered her second baby via a successful VBAC. This birth left Ashleigh on cloud nine, and when she fell pregnant two years later with her third baby she assumed the same kind of birth would unfold. But her third birth was very different to what she had anticipated.
Ashleigh’s story isn’t your usual VBAC birth story, it’s so much more. It’s about how Ashleigh confronts the trauma from her third birth where these factors were truly out of her control and how she reconciles this with the feeling of complete control that she had during her VBAC. Her story highlights the effects of birth trauma on parents and families and the brilliance of her caseload midwife in ensuring she was ok.
Notes ~
Bandl's Ring:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=Bandl%27s+ring
M. Reyad & M. Quinn (2008) Pre-term uterine constriction rings and their consequences, Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 28:4, 447-448, DOI: 10.1080/01443610802138106
Postpartum Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) support: If you or anyone you know is affected by PTSD or experiencing PND symptoms please don't hesitate to contact the following support networks.
The Gidget Foundationhttps://gidgetfoundation.org.au/get-support/,
PANDAhttps://www.panda.org.au/info-support/pandas-national-perinatal-anxiety-depression-helpline
Beyond Bluehttps://www.beyondblue.org.au/get-support/get-immediate-support
**VBAC Birth Stories features women's lived experiences. It is not intended to replace medical advice. Should you have any concerns during your pregnancy please always consult your healthcare provider.
Follow us on Facebook or Instagram @vbacbirthstories

In this episode we meet mother of two and registered nurse and midwife Emma who lives with her two boys and her husband, also a nurse, in Queensland.
After working in hospitals and having exposure to a variety of emergency situations Emma had decided that she would elect to have a maternal-assisted caesarean which she describes as a fantastic experience. Emma has an underlying heart condition called POT Syndrome (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia) which caused her some perinatal anxiety as well as a fear of natural birth and seeing the situations at the other end that can go wrong. Emma hid the majority of her anxiety from her private obstetrician, coworkers, and family while working as a midwife during her pregnancy.
Emma is certain she had undiagnosed postnatal depression after her first birth. She was advised to wean her baby from breastmilk after struggling to breastfeed and this gave her somewhat of a crisis of confidence in those early weeks with her newborn. Miraculously her baby then showed interest again in latching so Emma saw a lactation consultant and ended up re-lactating to a full milk supply. She takes us through this experience in the hope of informing others who may not know that this is an option.
After falling pregnant again she was sure she was going to have another maternal assisted caesarean, however she changed her mind in her third trimester and became intent on trying for a VBAC. Emma shares with us that she tested positive for Group B Streptococcus (GBS) in this pregnancy then retested herself and got a negative result - this was despite her obstetrician not being supportive of her desire to retest.
Listen to how Emma overcame all the anxiety and fear she had during her first pregnancy and birth to experience a swift positive VBAC with an epidural.
~ Notes ~
Perinatal anxiety/postnatal depression:https://www.panda.org.au/
**VBAC Birth Stories features women’s lived experiences. It is not intended to replace medical advice. Should you have any concerns during your pregnancy please always consult your healthcare provider.
Follow us on Facebook or Instagram @vbacbirthstories

Today we meet Natasha who is a mother of two living in Sydney. Natasha experienced an early miscarriage before falling pregnant a second time with her daughter. She laboured for three and a half days, eventually receiving an epidural and experiencing augmentation of labour with the synthetic oxytocin hormone drip. She had progressed through labour to the point where her baby was crowning when doctors performed the caesarean. Her baby weighed 4.38kg. Her daughter was separated from her at birth but despite this Natasha was able to have a positive breastfeeding experience. She experienced some postpartum baby blues and speaks candidly about this and what goes on for many women who experience a few days of difficulty following birth.
Natasha discovered late in her VBAC pregnancy she had a J incision which was classed as a special scar, and deemed her at greater risk to pursue a VBAC. The public hospital she was at refused to support her attempting a VBAC, despite being told by a doctor following her emergency caesarean that she could try for a VBAC in the future. Her baby was also found to be in the transverse-lie position around the same time of her special scar discovery.
Listen to how Natasha bravely met with these obstacles, ultimately changing care providers at 35 weeks and experiencing a swift unmedicated VBAC with her son who was 4.04kg.
Natasha gave birth the day before the COVID-19 restriction of limiting support people in labour and birth to one person was enforced. She shares with us what her postpartum experience has been like as a young family of four in isolation.
~ Notes ~
https://specialscars.org
**VBAC Birth Stories features women's lived experiences. It is not intended to replace medical advice. Should you have any concerns during your pregnancy please always consult your healthcare provider.
Follow us on Facebook or Instagram @vbacbirthstories