BONUS: VBAC VS ELECTIVE: How do you decide?

If you’re pregnant after a previous caesarean and feeling torn between planning a VBAC or booking an elective, this episode is for you.In today’s bonus solo episode, I walk you through the key questions and mindset shifts that can help you make an informed, confident decision, not based on fear, pressure, or anyone else’s opinion, but what feels right for you.I also share practical tools to help you prepare for a positive birth experience, whether you choose a VBAC or a repeat caesarean. This isn’t about having a rigid plan it’s about feeling calm, clear and informed, no matter how things unfold.If you want more support like this, head to Your Birth Project now. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode of Kiwi Birth Tales is proudly brought to you by In this episode of Kiwi Birth Tales, I speak to Emily. Some of the topics we cover:Diagnosed with PCOS after coming off the pill Worked with a Women's Health Naturopth to reverse PCOS and symptoms Smooth preganancy COVID pos at 26 weeks, issues with Thyroid post that Changed midwives around 28 weeks Your Birth Project course Felt positive as had been surrounded by lots of "natural births" in her life Found out sex in first pregnancyPulled groin muscle while swimming at 38 weeks Almost 41 weeks went into spontaneous labourMidwife had to pull cervix forward Birth in hospital with Epidural Baby born with hand up by her face2nd degree tear Felt rushed to get up and shower post birth, felt alonePostpartum depression 2nd pregnancy wanted a homebirth Searched for positive homebirth stories where their first birth may have been challenging Found comfort and learning in these stories Changed midwives in pregnancy again Spontaneous waters breaking at home Bloom BirthpoolHeatpacks were helpful for pain management Walking up and down stairs and sitting on toilet to help progress at the end of labour Involuntary pushing Birth in the birthpool at home 1st degree tear not requiring stitches Calming, supportive midwife made a huge difference in birth and recovery Prolapse post birth Completely different mental health experience this time, very positive Your Birth Project Online Hypnobirthing Coursehttps://www.fertilityassociates.co.nz/book-a-free-nurse-consultPlease seek support for any mental health concerns, some helpful links are below:Mental Health in PregnancyPerinatal Depression and Anxiety Aotearoa Plunket - Dads Mental HealthLittle Shadow - Private Counselling NZFind me @kiwibirthtales and @yourbirthproject Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode of Kiwi Birth Tales is proudly brought to you by Your Birth Project - the online Hypnobirthing course you need to create your best birth. In this episode of Kiwi Birth Tales, I speak to Sophie. Some of the topics we cover:Coming off the pillOpen minded about birth preferences Partial break in watersExtra lobe on placentaUnmedicated water birth in hospital Messy 2nd degree tear with 3rd degree aspects Stiched in birth room then taking to surgery tor repair tearPainful postpartum period Reflux baby Nipple shields Bruising post birth 2nd pregnancy symptomsStretch and sweep at 4cm dilated Fast labour Grazing but no tears Unmedicated birth Complication with baby post birth Confired Group Strep B positive12 day hospital stay Your Birth Project Online Hypnobirthing Coursehttps://www.fertilityassociates.co.nz/book-a-free-nurse-consultPlease seek support for any mental health concerns, some helpful links are below:Mental Health in PregnancyPerinatal Depression and Anxiety Aotearoa Plunket - Dads Mental HealthLittle Shadow - Private Counselling NZFind me @kiwibirthtales and @yourbirthproject Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode of Kiwi Birth Tales is proudly brought to you by Eve Wellness - supplements that become your body's new best friend. In this episode of Kiwi Birth Tales, I speak to Beatrice. Some of the topics we cover:Trying to conceive for 2 yearsFertility Therapist Spontaneous pregnancy Midwifery CareNIPTYour Birth Project and Antenatal ClassesWaters broke at home, labour didn't startMisoprostol inductionGood hospital midwives EpiduralInterventions after long pushing stageIssues with cord preventing baby coming downBirth CareLactation Consultant Nipple Shield Pelvic Floor PhysioYour Birth Project Online Hypnobirthing Coursehttps://www.fertilityassociates.co.nz/book-a-free-nurse-consultPlease seek support for any mental health concerns, some helpful links are below:Mental Health in PregnancyPerinatal Depression and Anxiety Aotearoa Plunket - Dads Mental HealthLittle Shadow - Private Counselling NZFind me @kiwibirthtales and @yourbirthproject Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode of Kiwi Birth Tales is proudly brought to you by Your Birth Project, if you are pregnant you need YBP in your life!In this episode of Kiwi Birth Tales, I speak to Mads. Some of the topics we cover:Concerns at scan - perforated bowel Cystic Fibrosis screening, testing and confirmationRonald McDonald House in Christchurch Putting life on hold waiting for next steps Navigating work with pregnancy complicationsHypertension Preeclampsia Premature birth 35 weeks NICU Surgery after birth Repeat hospital stays due to illnessPostnatal depressionFunding for Cystic Fibrosis medicines Your Birth Project Online Hypnobirthing Coursehttps://www.fertilityassociates.co.nz/book-a-free-nurse-consultPlease seek support for any mental health concerns, some helpful links are below:Mental Health in PregnancyPerinatal Depression and Anxiety Aotearoa Plunket - Dads Mental HealthLittle Shadow - Private Counselling NZFind me @kiwibirthtales and @yourbirthproject Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode of Kiwi Birth Tales is proudly brought to you by Your Birth Project, if you are pregnant you need YBP in your life!In this episode of Kiwi Birth Tales, I speak to Alexis. Some of the topics we cover:Surprise pregnancy Challenges finding a midwife Positive family birth stories InductionLanguage use from care providers not supportive InductionLarge postpartum haemorrhage + 3B Tear Birth Trauma Baby born 6.5lbs Postpartum Depression and mental health challenges Support from Plunket for referrals Therapist validation of birth trauma Move to Tauranga Hyperemesis in 2nd pregnancy Your Birth Project in person course to work through Birth Trauma Feeling positive about 2nd birth Supportive Midwife Spontaneous labour Hospital birth drug freePositive birth experience 2nd degree tearBethlehem Birth Centre Completely different postpartum experience Advice to let people in when you're struggling and lean on whatever village you can find Your Birth Project Online Hypnobirthing Coursehttps://www.fertilityassociates.co.nz/book-a-free-nurse-consultPlease seek support for any mental health concerns, some helpful links are below:Mental Health in PregnancyPerinatal Depression and Anxiety Aotearoa Plunket - Dads Mental HealthLittle Shadow - Private Counselling NZFind me @kiwibirthtales and @yourbirthproject Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode of Kiwi Birth Tales is proudly brought to you by Your Birth Project, if you are pregnant you need YBP in your life!In this episode of Kiwi Birth Tales, I speak to Cass. Some of the topics we cover:Miscarriage when 4 months postpartum with her son Starting a marketing agency with Fiance Nic Cass's Dad passed away during her pregnancyPregnancy and griefHomebirth Midwife Didn't do any testing - only 12 + 20 weeks scan Your Birth Project in first pregnancy Challenging breastfeeding journey first time Inverted nipples Fake labour16 month age gap Waters leaking Anticipating labour to be different, didn't think she was close to the end Homebirth in the pool Midwife hands off and encouraged her to trust her body No stitches, some grazing Positive breastfeeding journey (painful cracked nipples) Partner mental health Communciation and working as a team with your partner Your Birth Project Online Hypnobirthing Coursehttps://www.fertilityassociates.co.nz/book-a-free-nurse-consultPlease seek support for any mental health concerns, some helpful links are below:Mental Health in PregnancyPerinatal Depression and Anxiety Aotearoa Plunket - Dads Mental HealthLittle Shadow - Private Counselling NZFind me @kiwibirthtales and @yourbirthproject Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode of Kiwi Birth Tales is proudly brought to you by Your Birth Project, if you are pregnant you need YBP in your life!In this episode of Kiwi Birth Tales, I speak to Charlotte. Some of the topics we cover:Falling pregnant at 16Miscarriage and not telling family Endometriosis and surgery Miscarriage, suspected Ectopic pregnancy (but was not) Pregnant with Allie LGA baby Waters leaking Induction Emergency CSectionDisappointed about birth Pregnant with ArdieWanted a VBACMarginal cord insertionPolyhydramnious Very short cordDilated to 8cm Emergency CsectionPositive Breastfeeding journeys Your Birth Project Online Hypnobirthing Coursehttps://www.fertilityassociates.co.nz/book-a-free-nurse-consultPlease seek support for any mental health concerns, some helpful links are below:Mental Health in PregnancyPerinatal Depression and Anxiety Aotearoa Plunket - Dads Mental HealthLittle Shadow - Private Counselling NZFind me @kiwibirthtales and @yourbirthproject Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode of Kiwi Birth Tales is proudly brought to you by Your Birth Project, if you are pregnant you need YBP in your life!In this episode of Kiwi Birth Tales, I speak to Kristy. Some of the topics we cover:Coming off the pill and starting to "try" for a babyRunning a business and thinking about having a baby Tracking cyclesSetting up business for parental leave NEST Antenatal No birth plan, open minded about experience Induction in HospitalQuick progression to 10cm Posterior Almost 2h total of pushing, no pain reliefEmergency CSection Csection recovery and unexpected things Tinder for baby names: KinderFeeding chair: Nuage Unity Studios PhysiotherapyYour Birth Project Online Hypnobirthing Coursehttps://www.fertilityassociates.co.nz/book-a-free-nurse-consultPlease seek support for any mental health concerns, some helpful links are below:Mental Health in PregnancyPerinatal Depression and Anxiety Aotearoa Plunket - Dads Mental HealthLittle Shadow - Private Counselling NZFind me @kiwibirthtales and @yourbirthproject Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode of Kiwi Birth Tales is proudly brought to you by Your Birth Project, if you are pregnant you need YBP in your life!In this episode of Kiwi Birth Tales, I speak to Brooklyn. Some of the topics we cover:Surprise pregnancyFinding a Midwife in NZ when not living here Pregnancy in LondonSpontaneous labour (contractions began in her back) Midwife check at homeNo pain relief Water birth Stitches after birth Placenta needed help to come away Breastfeeding journey Relationship after having a baby Your Birth Project Online Hypnobirthing Coursehttps://www.fertilityassociates.co.nz/book-a-free-nurse-consultPlease seek support for any mental health concerns, some helpful links are below:Mental Health in PregnancyPerinatal Depression and Anxiety Aotearoa Plunket - Dads Mental HealthLittle Shadow - Private Counselling NZFind me @kiwibirthtales and @yourbirthproject Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.