Australian VBAC Stories

In this episode of Australian VBAC Stories, Emma shares the stories of her three very different births: from a surprise first pregnancy at 23, through a difficult first birth and postpartum experience, a positive elective repeat caesarean section for her second birth, to finally the vaginal birth after two caesareans that completely changed how she saw herself and what was possible. When Emma became pregnant with her third baby, she initially assumed another caesarean was simply what happened next. But after considering a maternal assisted caesarean and finding the obstetrician who offered it was not available for her birth, she began to wonder: what other options were there? One early appointment with an obstetrician left her feeling dismissed and deeply discouraged, but Emma kept looking, eventually finding a supportive care provider and throwing herself into preparing for every possible outcome. Her third birth became the birth she had hoped for, but getting there wasn't about believing everything would go perfectly. Emma talks honestly about the fear, the preparation, the hundreds of birth stories she listened to, the role of her husband and doula, and learning to trust herself and her body. She also shares the realities of her postpartum experience, including breastfeeding struggles and having a very unsettled baby, even after an ideal birth. This is a story about how much can change when you have the right support, access to good information, and the opportunity to make your own decisions, and about discovering that you're capable of far more than you once thought. 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, Aimee sits down with Emma, a mum of seven living on a farm two hours from Perth, to unpack her remarkable birth journeys across all seven of her children. Emma walks us through her first three vaginal births followed by her three caesareans and then her vaginal birth after 3 caesareans (VBA3C). Emma shares her experiences of birthing within the system as an older mother ('advanced maternal age'), navigating different interventions and living 2 hours from the closest birthing hospital. She talks about her first caesarean for a transverse baby and the feelings she had around this, her second caesarean which began with an induction and her third caesarean when she thought she didn't have a choice. She shares the emotional toll of feeling like her births were taken from her, the fear projected onto her by care providers, and the isolation of being separated from her family during hospital stays. But Emma's story takes a powerful turn with baby number seven. After discovering that a VBAC after three caesareans was possible, she immersed herself in positive birth stories, scripture, and the support of a virtual doula and a private midwife. Despite a dismissive doctor who laughed at her plans, Emma went on to birth her daughter, her second girl, naturally on her due date, in just over an hour at the hospital. Emma's story is one of faith over fear, trusting your intuition, and the ripple effect that an empowering birth can have on every area of your life. Whether you're planning your first VBAC or your fourth, this episode is a reminder that your voice matters in your birth space.

In today's episode, we welcome Rose, whose journey through birth and motherhood has taken her from an unexpected caesarean and traumatic separation from her first baby to a deeply empowering homebirth after caesarean. This conversation actually began as an interview for The Motherwhelm podcast, where Rose and Bronwyn sat down to talk about her broader experience of motherhood. But as our conversation unfolded and I heard her birth stories, I knew there was so much here that the Australian VBAC Stories community would connect with and gain insight from too. With Rose's permission, we're sharing this part of her story with you here. Rose's first pregnancy took an unexpected turn when her waters broke at 35 weeks with her baby persistently breech. After labouring overnight and an unsuccessful attempt to turn her baby, Rose ultimately made the decision to have a caesarean. While she felt at peace with the caesarean itself, what happened around her birth - particularly feeling unheard during her care and being separated from her baby for around four hours after birth - had a profound impact on her. In the months that followed, Rose struggled with birth trauma, postpartum depression and a devastating sense of disconnection from her baby. With support from Gidget House and a psychologist specialising in attachment and bonding, she began rebuilding trust in herself, her intuition and her identity as a mother. Rose later experienced a missed miscarriage followed by weeks of haemorrhaging and repeated hospital presentations, an experience that left another layer of trauma to work through before becoming pregnant again. Rose knew from the beginning that she wanted to pursue a VBAC for her next birth. She chose a private homebirth midwife and doula and spent her pregnancy preparing both physically and emotionally, working on positioning, connection with her baby, meditation, visualisation and, importantly, preparing her partner to support and advocate for her. For Rose, the difference between her two births extended far beyond achieving a VBAC. After feeling that her confidence and intuition had been stripped away during her first experience, her HBAC gave her a profound sense of trust in herself as both a birthing woman and a mother. Whether you're preparing for a VBAC or HBAC, processing a difficult birth or pregnancy loss, or thinking about how to build a birth team that makes you feel safe and supported, Rose's story is a powerful reminder that birth preparation isn't simply about achieving a particular outcome - it's also about building trust, support and confidence in yourself. 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 today's episode, we welcome Ange who, as a homebirth midwife, had dreamed of birthing at home since she was a 21-year-old midwifery student. Ten years later, that dream was finally within reach, until she experienced unexpected transfer and emergency caesarean for fetal distress. In this deeply moving episode, Ange shares how her first birth challenged not only her expectations but also her identity as a midwife. Although she knew her caesarean was necessary, the grief, triggers and disconnect from her body that followed led her on a profound healing journey. Working in home birth and private practice during her second pregnancy, Ange was surrounded by physiological birth while doing the personal work needed to prepare for her own. Through birth debriefing, psychology, somatic therapies and deep self-reflection, she found peace with her first birth and built trust in herself, without placing the weight of healing solely on her next birth. Ange takes us through her remarkable HBAC, a long and unpredictable labour that tested her patience, resilience and instincts. Supported by a trusted birth team and grounded in the work she'd done before labour began, she welcomed her son at home in an experience that was empowering not because it was easy, but because she felt deeply supported every step of the way. Together, we explore how birth experiences shape us, the importance of processing difficult births, and why birthplace, continuity of care and a supportive birth team matter so much. Whether you're planning a VBAC, recovering from a difficult birth, or simply passionate about evidence-based, woman-centred maternity care, Ange's story is a beautiful reminder that while we can't always control how birth unfolds, we can be profoundly changed by how we're cared for through it. You can find Ange at @hermidwife on Instagram. Ange also wishes to thank the following practitioners and professionals who helped her on her journey: Acuneedling @heldbyjess Intuitive massage Kayla from @thebalanceprojectau Craniosacral therapy @kirstie.smith.midwife Private midwives @soulmidwifesydney @kirstie.smith.midwife Birth photographers @annatodd_photography @intemporelle_x 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, we hear from Emma, whose first birth began unexpectedly when her waters broke at just 35 weeks. Living with a rare uterine anomaly (uterus didelphys), a breech baby, and gestational diabetes, she found herself navigating a rapidly unfolding labour alongside a healthcare team that left her feeling unheard at one of the most vulnerable moments of her life. Despite repeatedly asking questions and trying to understand her options, Emma's concerns were dismissed as her labour intensified. What followed was an emergency caesarean under general anaesthetic after her baby's foot prolapsed, and the beginning of a difficult postpartum journey with a premature baby in special care. When Emma became pregnant again, she knew she couldn't simply move forward without first processing what had happened. Supported by the student midwife who had stood beside her during her first birth (then a fully qualified midwife) she slowly rebuilt her confidence, worked through the anxiety of another pregnancy, and prepared for a hospital VBAC. Emma shares the impact of feeling dismissed during labour, the importance of compassionate continuity of care, living with a double uterus, navigating pregnancy after birth trauma, and the journey towards trusting herself again. This is a powerful conversation about advocacy, healing, and discovering that a difficult first birth doesn't have to define every birth that follows. We hope you enjoy 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 we hear from Maddi who shares her incredible journey through three very different births and the lessons she learned along the way. After a positive first birth in hospital where Maddi used hypnobirthing and had a vaginal birth, she planned a homebirth with a privately practising midwife for her second. Her pregnancy took an unexpected turn when Maddi was diagnosed with placenta previa leading to a caesarean birth, though Maddi shares her experiences of waiting for her son to choose his own birth day. For her third birth she again planned a homebirth with a privately practising midwife, spent time educating herself and rebuilding confidence in her body's ability to birth. What followed was an unforgettable VBAC journey filled with intuition, trust, advocacy, and a few unexpected twists. Maddi reflects on navigating the stigma surrounding VBAC, the importance of evidence-based support, and how continuity of care helped her make informed decisions throughout pregnancy and birth. This conversation is a powerful reminder that every birth story is unique, that informed choice matters, and that trusting yourself can be one of the most valuable tools in pregnancy, birth, and motherhood. We hope you enjoy it as much as we did!

In this episode of Australian VBAC Stories, we are joined by Rena, a mother of two from East Gippsland, Victoria. After a traumatic induction, emergency caesarean birth, severe postpartum infection, and postnatal depression with her first daughter, Rena knew she wanted a different experience for her next birth. In this episode, she shares her journey towards a planned VBAC, including years of research, choosing continuity of care with a private midwife, navigating hospital policies, and learning how to advocate for herself when faced with resistance during labour. Rena's story is one of resilience, determination, and discovering the power of her own voice. Her VBAC wasn't just a different birth experience, it was a transformative experience that left her feeling stronger, more confident, and deeply trusting of herself. Rena lives in East Gippsland with her husband Kyle and their daughters, Vana and Freya, where they are building an off-grid home and creating a simple, grounded life together. A special thank you from Rena to her midwife Megan from The Village Way Gippsland, whose calm presence, knowledge, and trust in birth helped her feel truly seen, heard, and supported throughout her journey. And to her husband Kyle, whose unwavering support and belief in her never faltered. Rena hopes that by sharing her story, other women planning a VBAC feel empowered to trust themselves, ask questions, and advocate for the birth experience they deserve.

In this episode, we hear from Mikaela - a wife, mother to three girls, Christian birth doula and childbirth educator in QLD - as shares the story of her three very different births: from a traumatic emergency caesarean at 32 weeks after developing HELLP syndrome, preeclampsia and cholestasis, through to two hard-won VBACs in the years that followed. She speaks candidly about birth trauma, PTSD, NICU and special care experiences, navigating high-risk pregnancies with multiple autoimmune conditions, and the long process of rebuilding trust in herself and her body after her first birth. Along the way, we explore the realities of advocating for yourself within the system, the impact of hospitalisation and separation from your baby, and how knowledge, support and understanding physiological birth changed the way Michaela approached her later pregnancies and births. This conversation also touches on obstetric violence, induction after caesarean, premature rupture of membranes, special care policies, breastfeeding through medical complexity, and the emotional weight of mothering while navigating serious health challenges. Despite everything her body endured, Michaela’s story is ultimately one of persistence, deep self-advocacy, and finding her own way through birth and motherhood on her terms. We hope you enjoy this story as much as we did hearing it! You can find Mikaela at @birth_by_design 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, 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 everything This 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 podcasts 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 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!! X 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, 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_josi 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, 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 episode A 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. BIO I’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_ + @morningtonchinesemedicine 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 powerful episode we hear from Jessica Tabb, a mum of two boys from the Hawkesbury, who shares a deeply reflective and empowering journey to her vaginal birth after caesarean. Jessica’s story is one of navigating uncertainty, learning to trust her body, and overcoming the emotional residue of a first birth that didn’t go to plan. Jessica’s first birth started with her waters breaking, resulted in an augmentation with Syntocinon and involved fears around a 'big baby'. After a long labour and reaching fully dilated Jessica was encouraged to consider an instrumental birth or have a caesarean. Her son was born via caesarean but due to staffing issues, Jessica was not able to have her baby in recovery with her and this led to a period of separation of mum from baby. Her second birth, an unmedicated homebirth VBAC, was not only a physical triumph but an emotionally healing journey as well. While she was able to recognise the power of her body and heal some of those wounds that had been created from her first experience, she also ended up being separated from her baby for a significant period post birth, with baby transferred to NICU and Jessica in an isolation room due to being COVID positive. Jessica shares about the tools that helped her achieve her VBAC: from mindset work, advocacy and sourcing aligned care providers to understanding the risks without letting fear take the lead. She shares the devastation of being separated from her baby again, how she navigated establishing her breastmilk supply while being separated from her son, and how they found their way back to each other over the days post birth. This episode is a fantastic listen for anyone planning a VBAC or supporting someone through one, with sharing of lots of curveballs and changes in plans, but a beautifully positive thread of power, support and advocacy shared throughout. We hope you enjoy it as much as we loved sharing it. With special thanks to the amazing women who supported me along the way. Teena and Emma from @hawkesbury_midwife, B from @coreandfloorrestore , Amber from @hawkesburyfamilyhealthco and Brooke from @herhealth.physiotherapy BIO I am a mum of two boys, Oliver (4) and Jacob (2). I live Hawkesbury region of NSW with my husband Rowan and our two dogs (our first babies). We love where we live which is close to family and plenty of open spaces with fresh air we can enjoy with our boys. We went into parenthood with intention and have had two very different birth experiences, I hope by sharing my story impending mums can learn from my hindsight, and women planning a VBAC can feel part of a group of extraordinary women, full of determination and so willing to support each other on their journey. I am so grateful to have found my “people” throughout my second pregnancy who supported me, without question, along the way. 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 we hear from Kira, a thoughtful and articulate mum who shares her powerful VBAC journey after a previous caesarean. Kira’s story is a beautiful reminder that an empowering vaginal birth after caesarean is possible, even when it involves induction and an epidural. She speaks candidly about her first birth which resulted in a caesarean and left her feeling disempowered and unheard. Determined to approach her second birth differently, Kira committed herself to learning, advocating for her preferences and creating a care team, including a doula, who respected her autonomy throughout her experience. Despite being induced and choosing an epidural for pain relief, Kira achieved the VBAC she had hoped for, on her own terms. She reflects on the key factors that helped her feel supported and in control throughout labour and birth, the education that completely shifted the way she navigated her second birth experience (even advocating for more time rather than being taken for a repeat caesarean, which led to her VBAC!) and shares insights that will be incredibly valuable to other women planning a vaginal birth. Kira’s story is an inspiring reminder that there’s no one 'right' way to have a vaginal birth after caesarean. What matters most is how you feel and are supported throughout the experience - this left her feeling strong, safe and seen as she birthed her baby powerfully and autonomously, making informed decisions every step of the way. 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.