VBAC Birth Stories

In this episode we chat to Sydney mum of two Rachel who experienced an unmedicated VBAC in a private hospital setting after going through 35 hours of labour. Following her caesarean Rachel went on to experience poor postpartum mental health and reflects how her first birth unfolding the way it did could have contributed to those feelings. Rachel reveals her reasons for wanting to try for a vaginal birth again and one of those reasons is not one that we would immediately think of, but Rachel so eloquently explains how just the very process of going on a VBAC journey can have the potential to teach us important life skills. Thank you Rachel @rachelraez (Instagram) for sharing your story with us and thank you to our patrons for helping to bring this episode to you. ~ AFFILIATES ~Access discounts with our amazing affiliates:Birth Time film:20% DISCOUNT CODE: CICADA20https://www.birthtime.world/a/2147503775/Eb2KfvxtPartum Panties:10% DISCOUNT CODE: Vbacbirthstorieshttps://www.partumpanties.com.auThe Birth Store:10% DISCOUNT CODE: VBAChttps://thebirthstore.com.au/?ref=VBACA big thank you to our patrons for helping to bring this episode to you. Please consider supporting the podcast from as little as $2 a month. Your donations go toward the up-keeping costs of running the podcast and really help us to keep going with the pod.https://www.patreon.com/vbacbirthstories~ Notes ~Book: Ina May Gaskin 'A Guide to Childbirth'Facebook group: VBAC Australia Support Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/342851302473349Doula: Amanda @essentialmeservices (Instagram) https://www.essentialme.com.auIBCLC finder website: www.lcanz.org~ Birth Trauma & Post Natal Depression/Anxiety support ~If this episode raises any concerns for you please don't hesitate to contact:The Gidget Foundationhttps: //gidgetfoundation.org.au/get-support/

In this episode we speak to Adelaide mum of two Rosalie about her two births. Rosalie underwent IVF and speaks about the unique challenges women in same sex relationships face when dealing with healthcare.  Her first birth was an emergency caesarean which followed an induction for having a macrocosmic baby and being post-dates. Rosalie was very well educated about birth and was planning a public hospital funded homebirth before she was 'risked out.' She knew about the cascade of intervention yet she was coerced into a procedure that she did not want. This coercion was the catalyst for her birth trauma and PTSD. In her next pregnancy Rosalie hired a private midwife and a doula to give herself the best chance of having a physiological birth at home...but once labour was underway she knew on an intuitive level that there would be a curveball right at the end. Rosalie shares a wealth of knowledge about birth in this episode which is important listening for anyone who wants to give birth. A must listen for anyone working in maternity too, to understand the ways they can support mothers and prevent birth trauma from occurring to 1 in 3 women, and the 1 in 10 Australian women who are diagnosed with PTSD following their births. Episode Sponsor: Miim KidsFeatures of the small and lightweight Miim Kids sleep aid & feeding light include:Portable for 12+ hoursWhite Noise (4 safe volume levels)Pink Noise (4 safe volume levels)Red LED light Therapy (4 brightness levels)Wireless Bluetooth connection (play any music you like, straight from your phone)White LED torch light (4 brightness levels)30min, 60min, and continuous loopMeditation & Relaxation Sounds (4 volume levels)Learn more about Miim Kids through Instagram @miimkids or www.miimkids.comShop:15% discount code: VBAC15https://tinyurl.com/miimkids~ AFFILIATES ~Access discounts with our amazing affiliates:Birth Time film:20% DISCOUNT CODE: CICADA20https://www.birthtime.world/a/2147503775/Eb2KfvxtPartum Panties:10% DISCOUNT CODE: Vbacbirthstorieshttps://www.partumpanties.com.auThe Birth Store:10% DISCOUNT CODE: VBAChttps://thebirthstore.com.au/?ref=VBACA big thank you to our patrons for helping to bring this episode to you. Please consider supporting the podcast from as little as $2 a month. Your donations go toward the up-keeping costs of running the podcast and really help us to keep going with the pod.https://www.patreon.com/vbacbirthstories~ Notes ~Birth Preparation Course: Calmbirth www.calmbirth.com.auBook: Reclaiming Childbirth as a Rite of Passagewww.midwifethinking.comMidwife: @embracemidwifery on InstagramDoula: @brookehiltondoula on InstagramPsychologist: Heather Matter https://www.mtloftychiropractic.com.au/staff/heather-mattner/Optimal positions for pregnancy and birth: www.spinningbabies.com"Dimensions, not weight" Instagram reel by B from Core, Floor & Restore: https://www.instagram.com/reel/CftTT7Vj7XH/?igshid=MDJmNzVkMjY=VBAC Australia Support Group:https://www.facebook.com/groups/342851302473349Induction of Labour Facebook group:https://www.facebook.com/groups/inductionoflabour~ Birth Trauma & Post Natal Depression/Anxiety support ~ If this episode raises any concerns for you please don't hesitate to contact:The Gidget Foundationhttps: //gidgetfoundation.org.au/get-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.

Today we have the honour and pleasure of chatting to Hazel Keedle once again on the podcast. Hazel is a lecturer at Western Sydney University and midwifery researcher who has primarily focused on women’s experiences of vaginal birth after caesarean and is now a lead researcher in the Birth Experience Study- the largest study on women’s experiences of maternity care in Australia. Since we last spoke Hazel has completed her PhD and is now an author with her newly released book Birth After Caesarean: Your Journey to a Better Birth. We spoke to Hazel way back in Season 1 and you can find this interview by searching for our 7th episode. In this episode we cover:The inspiration for the book Birth After Caesarean: Your Journey to a Better Birth and what readers can expect to gain from reading itInteresting preliminary observations from data collected from The Birth Experience Study Survey which had almost 9000 respondentsFeminism and birth and the impact of social mediaImpact and importance of continuity of midwifery careEncouraging words of advice for midwives and student midwives navigating fragmented care in our Australian maternity system + much moreFollow Hazel at these locations:Instagram: @hazelkeedleFacebook: @VBACmatters https://www.facebook.com/VBACmattersTwitter: @HazelKeedleFor links to papers, events and more:https://linktr.ee/hazelkeedleBuy the book on Amazon: https://tinyurl.com/vbac-bookStay tuned for a GIVEAWAY of Hazel's book Birth After Caesarean for VBAC Birth Stories listeners :) Be sure to be following the pod and Hazel on social media.Instagram: @vbacbirthstoriesFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/vbacbirthstoriesAUSupport the podcast on Patreon:~ PATREON ~Please consider joining our Patreon if you are enjoying the podcast and would like to help support us by making a donation:https://www.patreon.com/vbacbirthstories~ AFFILIATES ~Access discounts with our amazing affiliates:Birth Time film:USE DISCOUNT CODE: CICADA20https://www.birthtime.world/a/2147503775/Eb2KfvxtPartum Panties:USE DISCOUNT CODE: Vbacbirthstorieshttps://www.partumpanties.com.auThe Birth Store:USE DISCOUNT CODE: VBAChttps://thebirthstore.com.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 chat to Shelley, a mum of two from Adelaide. Shelley reached out to us shortly after having her baby because she wanted to share the unique circumstances surrounding her first birth and VBAC. Shelley lives with Herpes Simplex Virus 1 Genital, it is classified as a type of STI, and because of the stigma this carries Shelley could not find any stories from women who have navigated pregnancy and birth with this condition. It is estimated that three-quarters of Australian adults are infected with HSV1.Shelley talks about how her genital herpes affected the outcome of her first birth, and although a very empowering and positive caesarean she still held the desire to have a VBAC for next time. Unlike her first birth genital herpes didn't play a role in the outcome of her second birth, however being covid positive at the time her body went into labour certainly did. Shelley got covid twice during her VBAC pregnancy.Although her VBAC didn't go the way Shelley envisioned- there was intervention there- she felt in control the entire time due to the preparation she had done during her VBAC pregnancy. Shelley also shares how she had a positive breastfeeding journey with her second baby, which wasn't the case with her first baby.  A big thank you to our patrons for helping to bring this episode to you. Please consider supporting the podcast from as little as $2 a month. Your donations go toward the up-keeping costs of running the podcast and really help us to keep going x https://www.patreon.com/vbacbirthstories~ AFFILIATES ~Access discounts with our amazing affiliates:Birth Time film:DISCOUNT CODE: CICADA20https://www.birthtime.world/a/2147503775/Eb2KfvxtPartum Panties:DISCOUNT CODE: Vbacbirthstorieshttps://www.partumpanties.com.auThe Birth Store:DISCOUNT CODE: VBAChttps://thebirthstore.com.au/?ref=VBAC~ Notes ~Books:The Birth Map by Catherine BellBirth Skills by Juju Sundin with Sarah MurdochPregnancy Loss:Https://www.bearsofhope.org.auHttps://rednosegriefandloss.org.auHttps://miscarriagessupport.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

Amielia is a 21 year old Djab Wurrung woman and this week we would like to share her birth stories in celebration of NAIDOC week.Amielia only found out about the details of her indigenous ancestry when she was 12 and who her family were related to. She grew up learning about her cultural practices and a part of the disappointment in her first birth was the disconnect between these practices and the public hospital system. Later she would learn there was a program dedicated to indigenous women that she would seek to be a part of in her next pregnancy.When she first fell pregnant it was unexpected but despite this her partner vowed to support her no matter which path she took. She speaks about the lack of knowledge she had going into the pregnancy and how it felt going through her first pregnancy amid Covid lockdowns in Victoria.At 41 and 5 days, doctors suggested an induction which she agreed to. She had tested positive for Group B Strep. After what was deemed ‘failure to progress’ at 2cm dilation Amielia felt powerless and agreed to an emergency caesarean after her baby’s heart rate started to show signs of distress.After this experience Amielia did not want to be induced again. She hired a student doula and ended up experiencing the vaginal birth she always wanted at almost 43 weeks. Due to her baby passing meconium in her womb she agreed to have her baby tested for infection and tells us how her baby ended up staying in hospital for 5 days and what that experience was like for her.Thank you Amielia for sharing your VBAC journey with us.NAIDOC week: https://www.naidoc.org.au~ PATREON ~Please consider joining our Patreon if you are enjoying the podcast and would like to help support us by making a donation:https://www.patreon.com/vbacbirthstories~ AFFILIATES ~Access discounts with our amazing affiliates:Birth Time film (20%):USE DISCOUNT CODE: CICADA20https://www.birthtime.world/a/2147503775/Eb2KfvxtPartum Panties (10%):USE DISCOUNT CODE: Vbacbirthstorieshttps://www.partumpanties.com.auThe Birth Store: TENS Machine hire and more (10%):https://www.thebirthstore.com.au/?ref=VBAC~ Notes ~Doula: Courtneyhttps://beyondbirthcollective.com.auInstagram of womb specialist: @rosewomb_xVBAC Australia Support Group (Facebook):https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=vbac%20australia%20support%20groupPerinatal Depression & 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-helplineBeyond Bluehttps://www.beyondblue.org.au/get-support/get-immediate-supportCopehttps://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: @vba

Today we meet Tina a registered nurse and mum of two who lives with her husband in Melbourne. She shares her two very different birth and postpartum experiences with us. After Tina's son was born via an emergency caesarean he experienced what is called TTN (Transient Tachypnea of the Newborn). Babies with TTN have extra fluid in their lungs or the fluid leaves too slowly from their lungs. It is more likely to occur in c-section babies. She shares what it was like for her having a baby in special care and then the NICU ward. Having an unexpected surgical birth played a heavy role in her overall mental wellbeing in those early days.In her VBAC pregnancy Tina opted to have a student midwife follow her on her journey, and we are very thankful that Tina invited her student midwife, Rebecca, to join us in today's interview. You'll get to hear her perspective on VBAC and following women on their journey to birth during the show.~ PATREON ~Please consider joining our Patreon if you are enjoying the podcast and would like to help support us by making a donation:https://www.patreon.com/vbacbirthstories~ AFFILIATES ~Access discounts with our amazing affiliates:Birth Time film (20%):USE DISCOUNT CODE: CICADA20https://www.birthtime.world/a/2147503775/Eb2KfvxtPartum Panties (10%):USE DISCOUNT CODE: Vbacbirthstorieshttps://www.partumpanties.com.auThe Birth Store: TENS Machine hire and more (10%):https://www.thebirthstore.com.au/?ref=VBAC~ Notes ~Student Midwife: Rebecca. Instagram: @beclettsResources:The Birth Map. Instagram: @birthmapping. Website: https://birthmap.lifeCore & Floor Restore: Instagram: @corefloorrestore. Website: https://coreandfloor.com.auEvidence Based Birth: Instagram: @ebbirth. Website: https://evidencebasedbirth.comThe Naked Doula: Instagram: @thenakeddoula. Website: https://thenakeddoula.mePerinatal Depression & 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-supportPANDAhttps://www.panda.org.au/info-support/pandas-national-perinatal-anxiety-depression-helplineBeyond Bluehttps://www.beyondblue.org.au/get-support/get-immediate-supportCopehttps://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 week's episode we speak to western Sydney mum of two, Katelyn. Like so many of us in our first birth Katelyn just wanted to experience a physiological birth in a hospital setting, but ended up agreeing to an induction. Interestingly Katelyn intuitively felt that her induction was not medically necessary and there was a good chance she'd end up having surgery that day, yet she felt she couldn't say no.Katelyn was determined to re-write her story in her second birth, and that she most certainly did even though despite giving her absolute all this birth ended in a caesarean too. On paper the two births might look similar, but in reality, they were polar opposite experiences.Katelyn learned so much on her VBAC journey and generously shares much of this knowledge with us. We know this episode will be an incredible resource to all our listeners including our health care professionals. Thank you Katelyn for reaching out to share your story.Connect with Katelyn on Instagram: @thenbacguideEpisode Sponsor:Silverette Australia (Silverette cups are available in 28 countries).https://silveretteaustralia.comPromotion: From 6 May - 27 May 2022 Silverette Australia will be offering a 15% discount off their products for VBAC Birth Stories listeners. Simply head to their website (silveretteaustralia.com) and use the discount code VBAC15 to take advantage of this limited offer.About Silverette cups:Crafted out of 925 sterling silver these medical-grade light-weight shield-like cups fit over your areola and are designed to protect, soothe and heal your nipples as you and your baby adjust to breastfeeding. Silver has anti inflamatory, anti bacterial, anti fungal, and anti microbial properties which help to keep viruses away. To use Silverette cups you simply place them over your nipples and your maternity bra will hold them in place. To maximise its benefit Silverette recommend using them between feeds to help prevent discomfort such as sore or cracked nipples from occurring, while also paying attention to your baby's latch.~ PATREON ~Please consider joining our Patreon if you are enjoying the podcast and would like to help support us by making a donation:https://www.patreon.com/vbacbirthstories~ AFFILIATES ~Access discounts with our amazing affiliates:Birth Time film (20%):USE DISCOUNT CODE: CICADA20https://www.birthtime.world/a/2147503775/Eb2KfvxtPartum Panties (10%):USE DISCOUNT CODE: Vbacbirthstorieshttps://www.partumpanties.com.auThe Birth Store: TENS Machine hire and more (10%):https://www.thebirthstore.com.au/?ref=VBAC~ NOTES ~Calmbirthhttps://calmbirth.com.auMidwife: Jo Hunterhttps://midwifejo.com.auDoula: Aimee Singhttps://birthaims.com.auBirth Photographer: Bethhttps://naturalfocus.com.au/birth-photography/Birth debrief/birth trauma debrief: Athena at The Birth Counselhttps://www.thebirthcounsel.com.auThe Midwives Cauldron episode on Gestational Diabetes - PodcastJuju Sundin's Birth Skills - BookHannah Dahlen's induction study:https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/11/6/e047040Arr

In this episode we meet Kate who is a mum of two living in Darwin. Kate is the daughter of a midwife so she really did have some knowledge on her side going through her first birth, but after labouring for a very long time she was placed on a caesarean pathway and although there were things about that birth she would change- she was able to bond with her daughter and have immediate skin to skin which we often hear makes all the difference to a positive caesarean outcome. In her second birth, you will hear of how she came very close to a repeat caesarean, but gave birth vaginally to her posterior baby in the operating theatre.Both of Kate's babies had tongue ties which contributed to difficulties breastfeeding, particularly her first child. She shares what she did to overcome this and continue her breastfeeding journey.~ PATREON ~Please consider joining our Patreon if you would like to show your support for the podcast from just AUD $2.00 a month. Thank you very much to our patreons- we greatly appreciate your support!https://www.patreon.com/vbacbirthstories~ AFFILIATES ~Access discounts with our amazing affiliates:Birth Time film:USE DISCOUNT CODE: CICADA20https://www.birthtime.world/a/2147503775/Eb2KfvxtPartum Panties:USE DISCOUNT CODE: Vbacbirthstorieshttps://www.partumpanties.com.auThe Birth Store:USE DISCOUNT CODE: VBAChttps://thebirthstore.com.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 today's episode we hear our first VBAC birth story from Tasmania. Laura is a mum of two who lives in Hobart and had a swift and beautiful VBAC waterbirth at her public hospital. In her first birth she was induced for reaching post-dates and during the pushing phase it was discovered that her baby was breech. Despite the sudden way her emergency caesarean unfolded Laura holds no trauma from this birth and she shares with us why she thinks this is. In her second pregnancy it's refreshing to hear how well supported Laura was in her desire to have a waterbirth. Laura was fortunate to have continuity of care under the MGP in both of her pregnancies. After her restorative birth Laura's son did need to spend some time in the NICU (neonatal intensive care unit) as there were some concerns with his breathing and Laura tells of how her early postpartum unfolded afterwards. ~ PATREON ~Please consider joining our Patreon if you would like to show your support for the podcast from just AUD $2.00 a month:https://www.patreon.com/vbacbirthstories~ AFFILIATES ~Access discounts with our amazing affiliates:Birth Time film:USE DISCOUNT CODE: CICADA20https://www.birthtime.world/a/2147503775/Eb2KfvxtPartum Panties:USE DISCOUNT CODE: Vbacbirthstorieshttps://www.partumpanties.com.auThe Birth Store:USE DISCOUNT CODE: VBAChttps://thebirthstore.com.au~ Notes ~VBAC + Waterbirth:NICE UK Guidelines:https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng121/chapter/Recommendations#previous-caesarean-sectionQueensland Health VBAC Guidelines:https://www.health.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0022/140836/g-vbac.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

This week we sat down with Jaihden who is a Sydney based mum of two girls who experienced perinatal depression and anxiety as well as postpartum depression. She bravely shares how she navigated these periods and how the experience inspired her to give back to women going through the same challenges. Jaihden sheds light and humour on some dark moments. She speaks about her challenges and blessings and how her husband and support team of health professionals kept her feeling safe through this time.For Jaihden her primary caesarean didn’t affect her frame of mind or make her any less of a mother, she just wanted to have the experience of a vaginal delivery.Jaihden’s VBAC is really secondary to a story of immense personal growth, bravery and the making of a mother.It’s a lesson on how we can support mothers who do struggle whether it be physical or mental, and the importance of creating a village that bolsters new mothers with the right support.Jaihden has teamed up with the Gidget Foundation and Genevieve Muir from Connected Parenting to help other mums in need of support during early parenting and you can find out more by heading to the website madeformums.com.auEpisode sponsor:This episode is brought to you by Made for Mums, uniquely crafted practical hampers to support and nurture women during postpartum. Whether it is a first, second, or third baby Made for Mums gift hampers are tailored to suit a mother's needs. Founded by this week's podcast guest Jaihden after the birth of her second child, the hampers are designed to make mums feel supported, nourished and appreciated.But it's not only about hampers; Made for Mums also aims to build community and support for new mothers, a cause close to founder Jaihden's heart after her own experience of perinatal depresssion and anxiety and postpartum depression. Each hamper sold comes with exclusive online access to Genevieve Muir's Connected Parenting Course - a course that explains why parenting can be so hard, and also teaches new parents how to find the lightness and humour in it all. As well as this, with every hamper gifted $5 will be donated by Made for Mums to Gidget Foundation Australia, a support service for new families struggling with parenthood. Be sure to visit the website madeformums.com.au to browse their beautifully crafted hampers, as well as connect with Made for Mums on Instagram (@madeformumsaus) to join their nurturing and growing community.~ PATREON ~Please consider joining our Patreon if you would like to show your support for the podcast from just AUD $2.00 a month:https://www.patreon.com/vbacbirthstories~ AFFILIATES ~Access discounts with our amazing affiliates:Birth Time film:USE DISCOUNT CODE: CICADA20https://www.birthtime.world/a/2147503775/Eb2KfvxtPartum Panties:USE DISCOUNT CODE: Vbacbirthstorieshttps://www.partumpanties.com.auThe Birth Store:USE DISCOUNT CODE: VBAChttps://thebirthstore.com.au~ 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-helplineBeyond Bluehttps://www.beyondblue.org.au/get-s