EP45 - Fiona's FBAC (fragmented care, MFM, OBGYN, 'high risk' pregnancy, omphalocele baby, breech, elective caesarean, NICU, trauma, doula support, wild pregnancy, freebirth, FBAC, long labour)

In this episode, Fiona shares the story of her first birth, a pregnancy that quickly shifted from low-risk to highly medicalised following the discovery of her son’s omphalocele. What began as a planned physiological birth became a scheduled caesarean at 39 weeks, followed by a NICU stay, complications following mistakes from medical staff, delayed surgery, and a challenging introduction to motherhood.Fiona speaks candidly about navigating intensive surveillance, advocating within a tertiary hospital system, and the impact of early separation from her baby. She reflects on postpartum anxiety, the work it took to establish breastfeeding after a complex start, and the gradual rebuilding of trust in her own instincts as a mother.As she began considering another baby, Fiona found herself questioning not only specific interventions, but the structure of maternity care itself. In her second pregnancy, she chose a very different path. She declined routine scans and clinical antenatal care, enjoying a wild pregnancy, ultimately stepping well outside conventional systems of care.This is a story about autonomy and reclaiming power, the story of a woman making deeply considered decisions for herself and her family. Fiona’s journey speaks to the central theme that runs through all of our conversations here: that informed choice is critical.We invite you to listen with curiosity as Fiona shares what led her to make the decisions she did, and how those experiences shaped her understanding of birth, risk, and trust in her own body.Fiona would love to express immense gratitude for her doula, Sam @samanthagunndoula during her first pregnancy and postpartum and the incredible support she received from Kellee @earthaunty during her wild pregnancy and free birth. Please join us on our journey to bringing you all kinds of VBAC stories from across the country from here on in by subscribing and following us on social media, @australianvbacstories on Instagram and Australian VBAC Stories on Facebook. If you enjoyed this episode, we’d love to rate or review, and tell your friends!If you are feeling that you might benefit from mental health support after listening to our podcast, please reach out to one of the organisations below:PANDA https://panda.org.au/Gidget Foundation https://www.gidgetfoundation.org.au/COPE Australia https://www.cope.org.au/If you've experienced mistreatment or disrespectful care in your pregnancy, birth or postpartum and are seeking advocacy support, please contact one of the following organisations:Maternity Choices Australia https://www.maternitychoices.org/Maternity Consumer Network https://www.maternityconsumernetwork.org.au/Thank you for tuning in to our podcast.

In this week’s episode, Taylor shares her journey from a breech caesarean to a VBAC that, on paper, had almost everything people fear: induction, fetal distress, instrumental birth, retained placenta, postpartum haemorrhage...And yet, her story is not one of fear or trauma.Taylor speaks about what it felt like to be informed, make decisions in real time, and hold her ground when it mattered. But also when to shift when it felt necessary.There’s a thread running through this conversation that so many women need to hear:It wasn’t the absence of intervention that made this birth feel positive. It was the presence of choice.We also talk about:– navigating pregnancy after loss and the weight that brings– the deep dive so many women go on when planning a VBAC– advocating for yourself in a system that doesn’t always expect it– how “risk” isn’t one-size-fits-all– and why knowing your options changes everythingThis is one of those brilliant stories that challenges the idea that a “good birth” has to look a certain way.Because sometimes, everything can go “wrong”, and still be empowering. When women's choices are respected and decisions are made by them and not for them, it can still be incredible.Taylor shares:"I have experienced two very different births that I look at positively, despite some complications. I planned for my VBAC for many years and although I was equipped with as much knowledge as possible, my baby had other ideas. A great reminder that we can only control so much when it comes to birth. I love all things pregnancy and birth and enjoy sharing birth stories with other women. I hope to empower other women with my story so that ‘intervention’ doesn’t always needs to be looked upon as negative or related to trauma. The power of informed consent cannot be understated. "🎧 Listen now via the link in bio or wherever you get your podcastsPlease join us on our journey to bringing you all kinds of VBAC stories from across the country from here on in by subscribing and following us on social media, @australianvbacstories on Instagram and Australian VBAC Stories on Facebook. If you enjoyed this episode, we’d love to rate or review, and tell your friends!If you are feeling that you might benefit from mental health support after listening to our podcast, please reach out to one of the organisations below:PANDA https://panda.org.au/Gidget Foundation https://www.gidgetfoundation.org.au/COPE Australia https://www.cope.org.au/If you've experienced mistreatment or disrespectful care in your pregnancy, birth or postpartum and are seeking advocacy support, please contact one of the following organisations:Maternity Choices Australia https://www.maternitychoices.org/Maternity Consumer Network https://www.maternityconsumernetwork.org.au/Thank you for tuning in to our podcast.

In this special episode of Australian VBAC Stories, co-host Katelyn, doula and VBAC educator, openly shares the story of her three daughters’ births, and the many ways they’ve shaped who she is today.Her first pregnancy was incredibly challenging. She found herself in a private care model that didn’t feel aligned, facing repeated pressure around sweeps and induction. Her labour became intense and overwhelming, with syntocinon, limited support, a posterior baby, and growing concerns for her baby’s wellbeing. It ended in a cesarean, followed by separation from her baby and confusing, inconsistent breastfeeding advice. It left her feeling anxious, disconnected from her instincts, and unsure of her voice.From there, Katelyn began to seek something different. She immersed herself in VBAC education and found a supportive community. For her second birth, she planned a VBAC at hole with a private midwife. She laboured for a long time and gave so much of herself to the process, but when progress stalled, she transferred to hospital and ultimately had another cesarean. This time, though, things felt different - she had more agency, more support, and a stronger sense of being part of the decision-making, even as she continued to process the grief of how things unfolded.By her third pregnancy, there was a real shift. Katelyn focused deeply on her emotional wellbeing and letting go of expectations. She laboured at home again, grounded and supported, before transferring for an epidural and cesarean when her baby still wasn’t descending. Afterwards, she learned there were physical factors at play - significant adhesions and a velamentous cord insertion - which helped bring clarity and understanding to her experiences.What stands out most in Katelyn’s story is the evolution of how she felt within each birth. Through it all, she speaks with honesty about the complexity of grief and healing, but also with a sense of peace, empowerment, and deep gratitude. Her journey has not only shaped her as a mother, but also inspired the work she now does supporting others as a doula and through her VBAC education course.

In this episode, we’re sharing something a little different in honour of Caesarean Awareness Month.Zoe joins us to reflect on the birth of her first baby: a journey that began with a deeply intentional plan for a homebirth and unfolded into a caesarean after a long, steady labour at home. This isn’t a VBAC story (yet), but a story from the in-between... the space where many women find themselves after a caesarean, holding both the weight of what was and the hope of what could come next.Zoe speaks openly about her preparation for birth, the experience of labouring for over 30 hours, and the moment she knew it was time to change course. She shares the powerful role of connection, intuition, and support throughout her experience, as well as her reflections on flexibility, informed decision-making, and what it means to feel at peace with a birth that didn’t go to plan.This episode is a reminder that the path to a VBAC often begins here: in the processing, the integration, and the quiet rebuilding of trust in your body and your choices.From Zoe:I am a first time mamma, relationship and sex therapist, animal lover and total birth junky. Having been fascinated by birth since I was a little girl, I always looked forward to my own one day.And while I had always wanted a home birth in my garden, whenever anyone asked me about my birth plan, I always followed up with - whatever gets my baby into this world in the most natural and safe way.So I hope my story ignites courage in all its forms - courage to be intentional, courage to be informed, courage to advocate for yourself and trust your intuition and courage to therefore adapt when you feel it’s right to.Because I truly believe when we are empowered AND adaptable, there is always room for nourishment, enjoyment, beauty and bliss, no matter what the journey may end up looking like.--Please join us on our journey to bringing you all kinds of VBAC stories from across the country from here on in by subscribing and following us on social media, @australianvbacstories on Instagram and Australian VBAC Stories on Facebook. If you enjoyed this episode, we’d love to rate or review, and tell your friends!If you are feeling that you might benefit from mental health support after listening to our podcast, please reach out to one of the organisations below:PANDA https://panda.org.au/Gidget Foundation https://www.gidgetfoundation.org.au/COPE Australia https://www.cope.org.au/If you've experienced mistreatment or disrespectful care in your pregnancy, birth or postpartum and are seeking advocacy support, please contact one of the following organisations:Maternity Choices Australia https://www.maternitychoices.org/Maternity Consumer Network https://www.maternityconsumernetwork.org.au/Thank you for tuning in to our podcast.

Australian VBAC Stories are back! And we've got a cracker of a VBAC story for you... In celebration of Multiple Birth Awareness Week, Katelyn speaks with Brooke who shares her amazing TWIN VBAC story!Brooke’s first birth ended in an emergency caesarean after a breech diagnosis and a series of interventions that ultimately left her feeling disempowered and separated from her baby in those early hours. Despite having strong birth knowledge and support, the experience was not what she had hoped for, and it shaped how she approached her next pregnancy.When Brooke fell pregnant again, she discovered she was carrying twins. Navigating a twin pregnancy after a caesarean came with its own set of challenges, both physically and within the maternity system.Her labour with the twins was intense and, at times, overwhelming. Brooke speaks candidly about the impact of past trauma during labour, the moments she felt like she couldn’t continue, and the support around her that helped her keep going. After a long and demanding labour, she birthed both of her boys vaginally with assistance, describing the experience as one of the hardest and most significant moments of her life.In the postpartum period, Brooke reflects on the realities of recovering from a twin VBAC, navigating feeding challenges, and adjusting to life with newborn twins and a toddler. She also shares the role of community support, both during pregnancy and after birth, and how this shaped her overall experience.This episode explores the intersection of preparation, support, and circumstance, highlighting how different each birth can be, even with the same mother. Brooke’s story is a reminder of the importance of informed choice, supportive care, and the space to process birth experiences in your own way.Brooke would like to share the following thanks:Would love to thank My amazing midwife and mother Janine O’Brien @ibirth. The wealth of knowledge you have is incredible. I always felt, loved, heard and supported through every decision I made. To my birth team - Dr Marisa Martin thank you for supporting and believing in me that I could achieve a VBAC! Jo hunter, Chantelle, Ash and UTS student midwife Lara, thank you so much for creating a safe space and for being there for me even though, I almost turned into a wild banshee during birthing my babies earth side lol 🤣 To all the people that helped out with providing services to me pre and post labour I’m so grateful. Love to you all. I GOT MY VBAC!! XPlease join us on our journey to bringing you all kinds of VBAC stories from across the country from here on in by subscribing and following us on social media, @australianvbacstories on Instagram and Australian VBAC Stories on Facebook. If you enjoyed this episode, we’d love to rate or review, and tell your friends!If you are feeling that you might benefit from mental health support after listening to our podcast, please reach out to one of the organisations below:PANDA https://panda.org.au/Gidget Foundation https://www.gidgetfoundation.org.au/COPE Australia https://www.cope.org.au/If you've experienced mistreatment or disrespectful care in your pregnancy, birth or postpartum and are seeking advocacy support, please contact one of the following organisations:Maternity Choices Australia https://www.maternitychoices.org/Maternity Consumer Network https://www.maternityconsumernetwork.org.au/Thank you for tuning in to our podcast.

In this episode, we speak with Josi, who shares her experiences across four pregnancies from a breech caesarean, to an unexpected twin pregnancy complicated by HELLP syndrome, to finally planning and achieving a VBA2C.Josi walks us through her first birth after moving from Germany, navigating an unfamiliar maternity system, an unsuccessful and painful ECV, and an overall positive planned caesarean, somewhat initially complicated by a botched spinal. She then describes falling pregnant with twins while breastfeeding her first baby, shifting into high-risk care, and the rapid chain of events that led to their early arrival and NICU stay.She speaks candidly about the months that followed, managing feeding complications, sourcing donor milk, recovering from major surgery, and caring for three children under 16 months without much local support.Years later, a surprise fourth pregnancy prompted her to re-evaluate her options. With fears about another spinal and limited support for VBA2C at her local hospital, Josi sought private midwifery care, changed hospitals at 30 weeks, and prepared thoroughly for a vaginal birth. When her baby turned breech late in pregnancy, she navigated her options again, ultimately going ahead with a successful ECV before going on to have her VBA2C.Josi’s episode offers a clear look at the practical decision-making, self-advocacy, and system navigation involved across very different pregnancies and births, and how this path changed her career trajectory into doula work herself. Josi would like to thank her midwife, Meg, from It Takes a Village midwifery (https://www.facebook.com/ittakesavillagemidwifery) for taking her on so late, driving across the country side for over 2 hours to get to her chosen hospital and believing in her. Find Josi at www.instagram.com/nurturedby_by_josiPlease join us on our journey to bringing you all kinds of VBAC stories from across the country from here on in by subscribing and following us on social media, @australianvbacstories on Instagram and Australian VBAC Stories on Facebook. If you enjoyed this episode, we’d love to rate or review, and tell your friends!If you are feeling that you might benefit from mental health support after listening to our podcast, please reach out to one of the organisations below:PANDA https://panda.org.au/Gidget Foundation https://www.gidgetfoundation.org.au/COPE Australia https://www.cope.org.au/If you've experienced mistreatment or disrespectful care in your pregnancy, birth or postpartum and are seeking advocacy support, please contact one of the following organisations:Maternity Choices Australia https://www.maternitychoices.org/Maternity Consumer Network https://www.maternityconsumernetwork.org.au/Thank you for tuning in to our podcast.

In this episode, we speak with Courtney about how she reclaimed/found her power with her powerful VBAC after a previously traumatic, preterm birth experience.Courtney shares openly about the emotional aftermath of her first birth, which involved a preterm labour and eventually a caesarean, leaving her feeling overwhelmed and disconnected. Determined to approach her next pregnancy differently, she immersed herself in learning, sought out supportive care, and began rebuilding trust in her body and its ability to birth.Through her story, Courtney reflects on the importance of being informed, asking questions, and surrounding yourself with people who truly listen. Her VBAC experience was more than a birth — it was a reclamation of her power, a moment of healing, and a reminder that strength often grows from the most vulnerable beginnings.🎧 Tune in for a powerful story of courage, growth, and the transformative impact of education and self-belief on the journey to a positive, autonomous birth.Notes and resources about this episodeA huge thankyou to my MGP Midwife Jess who has now started her own birth education business @cub.andkin Without her support and advocacy this would have been a much more difficult journey. While I didn’t cover a lot of my healing journey (that’s a whole extra episode!) I want everyone to know that healing is possible. Thankyou to Lael Stone @laelstone and B at @coreandfloorrestore for everything you do for women, supporting them through motherhood. Without the two of you this journey towards healing wouldn’t have been possible. But the biggest thanks goes out to my husband for his endless love and support. His dedication to our birthing journey and his trust in me leading us. I know our VBAC was just as healing for him as it was for me.BIOI’m Courtney, a mumma to two little ones, Henrietta (6) and Arlo (4). I’m a Zoo Keeper (midwife to the animals is one of my favourite roles!) turned Birth Debriefing practitioner and Hypnobirthing Australia practitioner. After the traumatic pre-term birth of my daughter, I felt inspired to support women on their birthing journey. Further inspired by the empowering VBAC of my son I decided a career change was needed and became a Hypnobirthing Australia practitioner and studied Birth Debriefing with Lael Stone and Bernadette Lack. My first birth, while traumatic, has lead me to be the woman I am today. More connected with my boundaries and a better advocate for myself and my family. My second birth, my VBAC, is the single most powerful and life changing event I’ve ever experienced. It allowed me to find my power hidden within and restored my faith in my body. My VBAC was an experience and feeling I wish every single mumma could feel during and after birth. Because of this I am truly inspired to work within the birth community to help decrease birth trauma and allow women to reconnect with the power they have within!

In this episode, we speak with Tori about how a broken leg at 32 weeks changed the course of her first birth, and shaped the way she approached her VBAC.Tori had hoped for a straightforward first birth, but a series of cascading events starting with breaking her leg and ending with a premature, face presenting baby at full dilation saw to it that she had anything but. After a traumatic caesarean and being labelled 'not suitable for VBAC' Tori explains how she wasn't sure she could go back to have more children. Then, she started listening to the stories of other women and decided she was the expert in her body and she knew she could have a VBAC.Throughout her second pregnancy, she explored her options, connected with a new hospital, brought along her sister who had become a doula and another wonderful student midwife, and ultimately approached birth with a stronger sense of confidence. She explains how important education was over this journey, and shares with us the exhilarating experience of pushing out her baby. Thank you so much Tori, for sharing your powerful story - we know you're all going to love it!Please join us on our journey to bringing you all kinds of VBAC stories from across the country from here on in by subscribing and following us on social media, @australianvbacstories on Instagram and Australian VBAC Stories on Facebook. If you enjoyed this episode, we’d love to rate or review, and tell your friends!If you are feeling that you might benefit from mental health support after listening to our podcast, please reach out to one of the organisations below:PANDA https://panda.org.au/Gidget Foundation https://www.gidgetfoundation.org.au/COPE Australia https://www.cope.org.au/If you've experienced mistreatment or disrespectful care in your pregnancy, birth or postpartum and are seeking advocacy support, please contact one of the following organisations:Maternity Choices Australia https://www.maternitychoices.org/Maternity Consumer Network https://www.maternityconsumernetwork.org.au/Thank you for tuning in to our podcast.

In this episode of Australian VBAC Stories, we meet Ashleigh Rajan, a registered nurse, mother of four, and passionate advocate for informed birth choices. Ashleigh’s path to VBAC was shaped by four very different birth experiences – from her first birth as a young mother navigating the unknown, to her second birth via an elective caesarean, and finally to her empowering VBACs with her third and fourth children.Ashleigh shares how her first birth experience, involving birthing a big baby after a stretch and sweep and eventuating in a severe perineal tear and postpartum haemorrhage, shaped her decision for her next birth, an elective caesarean. Ashleigh shares how her second birth experience opened her eyes to the hidden layers of caesarean recovery, sparking a deep dive into birth education and the importance of self-advocacy. She reflects on how gaining knowledge, making different choices, and ending up with supportive care providers transformed her confidence and helped her reclaim autonomy in birth for both her third and fourth birth experiences.Through her story, Ashleigh offers valuable insights for anyone planning a VBAC: the importance of understanding your options, asking questions, and trusting your instincts. Her journey is a testament to the power of preparation, self-belief, and the freedom that comes from being truly heard in the birth space.Please join us on our journey to bringing you all kinds of VBAC stories from across the country from here on in by subscribing and following us on social media, @australianvbacstories on Instagram and Australian VBAC Stories on Facebook. If you enjoyed this episode, we’d love to rate or review, and tell your friends!If you are feeling that you might benefit from mental health support after listening to our podcast, please reach out to one of the organisations below:PANDA ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Gidget Foundation COPE Australia ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠If you've experienced mistreatment or disrespectful care in your pregnancy, birth or postpartum and are seeking advocacy support, please contact one of the following organisations:Maternity Choices Australia Maternity Consumer Network Thank you for tuning in to our podcast.

In this inspiring episode of Australian VBAC Stories we chat with Imogen, a mum of two, currently expecting her third baby, who shares the journey of her beautifully redemptive VBAC birth. After a difficult first birth that started with an induction at 41+6, Imogen found herself overwhelmed by an intense labour. Despite planning for a natural, hospital birth with the support of a private midwife, she was unprepared for how quickly things escalated once the Syntocinon drip was started, leaving her feeling disempowered and disconnected from the process and heading down the cascade of intervention, leading eventually to a caesarean.Determined to have a different experience, Imogen made informed choices in her second pregnancy and received care through a Midwifery Group Practice (MGP) at her local public hospital. The continuity of care and deep trust she built with her midwife gave her the confidence to advocate for herself, trust her body, and birth on her own terms. Her VBAC was not only a healing experience, it was also profoundly empowering, shifting her entire view of birth and what’s possible when women are well supported.In this conversation, Imogen reflects on what she learned between births, how she mentally and emotionally prepared for her VBAC and the power of being surrounded by a supportive, women-centred model of care. Her story is raw, uplifting, and a powerful reminder of how birth can be a catalyst for growth and self-trust.Imogen is a SAHM of 2 with another on the way, trying to raise her family with mostly holistic intentions. She shared some beautiful resources in this episode which included:- Sammy from @kind.er_counselling for chatting all things birth trauma. Jess from @holistic_lactation_consulting for breastfeeding help. @lotuschiropractic_ + @morningtonchinesemedicinePlease join us on our journey to bringing you all kinds of VBAC stories from across the country from here on in by subscribing and following us on social media, @australianvbacstories on Instagram and Australian VBAC Stories on Facebook. If you enjoyed this episode, we’d love to rate or review, and tell your friends!If you are feeling that you might benefit from mental health support after listening to our podcast, please reach out to one of the organisations below:PANDA ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://panda.org.au/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Gidget Foundation ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.gidgetfoundation.org.au/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠COPE Australia ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.cope.org.au/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠If you've experienced mistreatment or disrespectful care in your pregnancy, birth or postpartum and are seeking advocacy support, please contact one of the following organisations:Maternity Choices Australia ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.maternitychoices.org/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Maternity Consumer Network ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.maternityconsumernetwork.org.au/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Thank you for tuning in to our podcast.