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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.au Episode 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: CICADA20 https://www.birthtime.world/a/2147503775/Eb2Kfvxt Partum Panties: USE DISCOUNT CODE: Vbacbirthstories https://www.partumpanties.com.au The Birth Store: USE DISCOUNT CODE: VBAC https://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 Foundation https://gidgetfoundation.org.au/get-support/, PANDA https://www.panda.org.au/info-support/pandas-national-perinatal-anxiety-depression-helpline Beyond Blue https://www.beyondblue.org.au/get-support/get-immediat...

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: CICADA20 https://www.birthtime.world/a/2147503775/Eb2Kfvxt Partum Panties: USE DISCOUNT CODE: Vbacbirthstories https://www.partumpanties.com.au The Birth Store: USE DISCOUNT CODE: VBAC https://thebirthstore.com.au ~ Notes ~ VBAC + Waterbirth: NICE UK Guidelines: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng121/chapter/Recommendations#previous-caesarean-section Queensland 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

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: CICADA20 https://www.birthtime.world/a/2147503775/Eb2Kfvxt Partum Panties: USE DISCOUNT CODE: Vbacbirthstories https://www.partumpanties.com.au The Birth Store: USE DISCOUNT CODE: VBAC https://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 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: @thenbacguide Episode Sponsor: Silverette Australia (Silverette cups are available in 28 countries). https://silveretteaustralia.com Promotion: 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 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: https://www.birthtime.world/a/2147503775/Eb2Kfvxt USE DISCOUNT CODE: CICADA20 Partum Panties: https://www.partumpanties.com.au USE DISCOUNT CODE: Vbacbirthstories The Birth Store (TENS Machine hire): https://thebirthstore.com.au USE DISCOUNT CODE: VBAC ~ NOTES ~ Calmbirth https://calmbirth.com.au Midwife: Jo Hunter https://midwifejo.com.au Doula: Aimee Sing https://birthaims.com.au Birth Photographer: Beth https://naturalfocus.com.au/birth-photography/ Birth debrief/birth trauma debrief: Athena at The Birth Counsel https://www.thebirthcounsel.com.au The Midwives Cauldron episode on Gestational Diabetes - Podcast Juju Sundin's Birth Skills - Book Hannah Dahlen's induct...

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 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: CICADA20 https://www.birthtime.world/a/2147503775/Eb2Kfvxt Partum Panties: USE DISCOUNT CODE: Vbacbirthstories https://www.partumpanties.com.au The Birth Store: USE DISCOUNT CODE: VBAC https://thebirthstore.com.au ~ Notes ~ Student Midwife: Rebecca. Instagram: @becletts Resources: The Birth Map. Instagram: @birthmapping. Website: https://birthmap.life Core & Floor Restore: Instagram: @corefloorrestore. Website: https://coreandfloor.com.au Evidence Based Birth: Instagram: @ebbirth. Website: https://evidencebasedbirth.com The Naked Doula: Instagram: @thenakeddoula. Website: https://thenakeddoula.me Perinatal 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 Foundation https://gidgetfoundation.org.au/get-support PANDA https://www.panda.org.au/info-support/pandas-national-perinatal-anxiety-depression-helpline Beyond Blue https://www.beyondblue.org.au/get-support/get-immediate-support Cope https://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

Welcome to Season 2 of VBAC Birth Stories! In this our first episode of 2021 we hear from Vanessa, a Brisbane mum of two who had an accidental homebirth with her VBAC baby. Vanessa's first pregnancy was textbook all the way through and when her waters began to leak at 38 weeks she headed straight into hospital to be assessed, and it was then she was told she would be induced the following morning. Vanessa, like many first time mums we speak to, did not know at the time that she could have declined and was not given any other option other than to admit herself into the hospital that night. After her caesarean she experienced the baby blues in a bad way, but didn't get assessed to see if it was possibly post natal depression. She was grateful to still be able to breastfeed although it wasn't any easy start for her. Vanessa honestly recounts her treatment in this hospital, which may be triggering for some our listeners, but an important listen, especially for our healthcare professionals to understand the potential impact of their actions and words on birthing women. After experiencing an early miscarriage Vanessa fell pregnant with her son and she knew by this time she wanted to do things differently. She hired a doula for starters and joined the VBAC Australia Support Group to get informed about birth. She was told early on she would need to take two Gestational Diabetes tests because of her BMI, which made her question a few things. This pregnancy although also textbook Vanessa did need to advocate for herself particularly towards the end stages and she did this brilliantly. Vanessa had her hospital birth game plan all figured out, but little did she know her body and her baby had made plans of their own... ~ Notes ~ Doula & Birth Photographer: https://www.brisbanebirthphotography.com.au/welcome/ VBAC Australia Support Group (Facebook): https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=vbac%20australia%20support%20group 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 Foundation https://gidgetfoundation.org.au/get-support/, PANDA https://www.panda.org.au/info-support/pandas-national-perinatal-anxiety-depression-helpline Beyond Blue https://www.beyondblue.org.au/get-support/get-immediate-support Cope https://www.cope.org.au Pregnancy Loss: https://www.bearsofhope.org.au https://rednosegriefandloss.org.au https://miscarriagesupport.org.au **VBAC Birth Stories features women's lived experiences. It is not intended to replace medical advice. Should you have any concerns during your pregnancy please always consult your healthcare provider. Please connect with us on Facebook or Instagram: @vbacbirthstories

In today's episode we meet Talia who shares with us her three birth stories, the first of which ended in an emergency caesarean following an induction for being post-dates. Although the caeasarean experience was fairly positive for Talia she still sought to achieve a VBAC the second time around. At 38 years of age she was classed as a geriatric pregnancy and was told her baby was presenting breech at 34 weeks. Her public hospital only offered a caesarean for breech babies at term, leading her to pursue a vaginal breech birth with a specialist breech obstetrician. After an unsuccessful ECV (external cephalic version) she still had the full support of her medical team, doula and specialist obstetrician to pursue a vaginal birth with her frank breech baby. Talia went on to achieve the seemingly impossible with her breech VBAC, and then a second VBAC with her son. Listening to Talia's wisdom not only regarding her breech vaginal birth but her other two birth stories is really worthwhile. She dispels the myths about birth fear and rewrites this narrative for birthing women and their families and that's a really important message to take away. ~ Notes ~ Specialist breech obstetrician: Dr. Andrew Pesce Westmead Hospital, Breech Clinic https://www.wslhd.health.nsw.gov.au/WNH/Clinics---services/Women-s-Health-Clinic/Breech-clinic Breech Birth Australia and New Zealand support group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/233980109958642 Breech Without Borders: https://www.breechwithoutborders.org **VBAC Birth Stories features women's lived experiences. It is not intended to replace medical advice. Should you have any concerns during your pregnancy please always consult your healthcare provider. Please connect with us on Facebook or Instagram: @vbacbirthstories

Today we meet Renee, a mum of two from Sydney who works as a clinical dietician. She is also the co-founder of Nurture the Seed, an encompassing guide to all things nutrition to help those going through preconception, pregnancy, and postpartum through evidence-based research and nourishing recipes (see notes below for more information). In Renee's first birth she had a rare adverse reaction to the prostaglandin induction gel, leading to an immediate emergency caesarean with a baby who was not engaged in her pelvis. Two months into her second pregnancy COVID-19 reached our shores, and throughout it all Renee maintained a positive attitude despite some the changes this meant to her care. Renee gives some excellent advice for women in pregnancy regardless of whether they are on a VBAC journey or not. Her positivity and practical view on birth meant that despite her repeat caesarean, her journey was still a successful one. Along with the support of her primary midwives from her hospital's midwifery group practice (MGP) Renee was able to walk away from both of her births with a positive and fulfilled outlook, thus reaching the end of her VBAC journey feeling empowered from the experience. ~ Notes ~ Please connect with Renee on Instagram or Facebook: @nurturetheseed Website: https://www.nurturetheseed.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 VBAC Birth Stories on Facebook or Instagram: @vbacbirthstories

In this bonus episode of VBAC Birth Stories we speak to Karen McClay, better known as the Director of Calmbirth, but a lesser known fact about the registered midwife, nurse and mother of three is that she herself undertook her own VBAC journey. We had the privilege of hearing that personal story in this interview. Karen shares the emotions surrounding her initial caesarean and the complexity of this experience, and how women on a VBAC journey are often forced to look back and examine their first birth experience in a different way to others. Karen also talks about how the Calmbirth education program came to be, its unique offerings, and what's next in terms of hospital integration both in Australia and New Zealand. We thank Karen for sharing her very personal experiences and her wealth of knowledge in the birth world. This episode is sponsored by Calmbirth. Calmbirth ensures couples are able to educate themselves through knowledge, birth preparation and maintaining a calm mindset. It is all of these things that we know can make all the difference in preparation for your birthing journey. The benefits of the course to couples goes beyond the birth process, teaching life skills and techniques to be used in parenting and beyond. ~ Notes ~ Website: Calmbirth.com.au Instagram: @calmbirth Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/calmbirth Podcast: The Calmbirth Conversation Podcast **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 meet Kate, a mum of two who lives with her husband near Newcastle north of Sydney. Kate's had the unique journey of experiencing three kinds of maternity care models across her two pregnancies. Her VBAC journey began with an emergency caesarean performed in Sydney while she was under the midwifery group practice continuity of care model, also known as MGP. Kate walked away from this birth without any overriding feelings of trauma, but for a long time thought there was something wrong with her body, in particular her pelvis. Before falling pregnant with her second child she became well educated on birth and wanted to get into the MGP again, however this wasn't possible at her new local hospital in Newcastle. She ended up subscribing to the standard fragmented public hospital care, which is currently the most accessible model of care available to Australian birthing women. Kate faced numerous challenges during her VBAC pregnancy, from Covid restrictions to being told she had gestational diabetes. The additional stress of this and more took its toll on her and she sought out a private midwife at 35 weeks to facilitate a homebirth, affording her the opportunity to birth in the way she really wanted. Listen to hear how Kate's VBAC journey unfolds and find out about all the incredible resources she tapped into during her VBAC pregnancy, preparing her to potentially birth at 43 weeks. Kate also honestly shares the challenges she experienced in the postpartum period even after experiencing a euphoric homebirth, and what she would do differently next time. ~ Notes ~ Doula: Jules Coffey Instagram: @julescoffey Pelvic Floor: Bernadette Lack from Core Floor & Restore https://coreandfloor.com.au Instagram: @corefloorrestore Books: Birth with Confidence by Rhea Dempsey Your Baby Your Birth by Hollie de Cruz Why Induction Matters by Dr. Rachel Reed (Midwife Thinking blog) Chiropractor: Loretta Mullins at Healing Wave Chiro in Warner's Bay Acupuncturist: Jolene Azzopardi at Sosho House Nutritionist: Eloise Hyne **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 chat to Queensland mum of three and co-creator of the clothing brand Sunday Wild, Crystal, about her VBAC journey which began with an elective caesarean with her twin daughters. Crystal tells her story with a refreshing humour and warmth and speaks to the fact that not all elective caesareans are really wanted. During our chat Crystal touchingly realises with hindsight what could have been possible, but was sadly taken away from her after her caesarean. Crystal's story is really about personal growth and the self advocacy that can come with evidence based research and trust in a mother's intuition. Crystal kept her finger on the pulse during her VBAC pregnancy when her daughter was sitting in breech position early on and prepared herself for every possible outcome. Crystal highlights the importance of the 'golden hour' after birth and how it can affect breastfeeding relationships, and how our hospital protocols can sometimes undermine this. An important listen for not only VBAC mothers but first time mums too and care providers - it is important to understand the profound impact a woman's birth experience can have on her transition from maiden to mother. You can connect with Crystal on instagram: @crystallouu Clothing label: @sundaywildlabel https://sundaywildlabel.com/ ~ Notes ~ VBAC Australia Support Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/342851302473349 Breech Birth Australia & New Zealand support group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/breech Spinning Babies: spinningbabies.com Blissful Herbs (labour tea): https://www.blissfulherbs.com.au Made to Milk (colostrum expressing kit): https://www.madetomilk.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 meet Emma, a mum of two boys who lives in Wollongong south of Sydney. Emma is a nurse and aspiring midwife and is also a prenatal yoga teacher and has her own yoga studio. Emma's first birth in the private system ended in an emergency caesarean after she was induced at 39 weeks. It was discovered later that cervical scar tissue from a previous LLETZ procedure may have played a role in not allowing her labour to progress. Emma was determined in her second birth to maintain a positive mindset and she accessed a variety of resources in order to assist her in achieving a VBAC. Among these she enrolled in a Calmbirth course and she also chose a different model of care under the midwifery group practice in her public hospital. Emma ended up being induced for her VBAC with a foley's balloon catheter and it's interesting to hear how this assisted in her second labour due to the positive effect it had on her cervical scar tissue, and also how Emma felt about being induced again given her last induction resulted in an emergency caesarean. We do hope you gain a lot of knowledge and understanding listening to Emma's unique VBAC story. Episode sponsor: This episode of VBAC Birth Stories is brought to you by Calmbirth. Calmbirth education courses provide the tools for couples to prepare emotionally, mentally and physically for birth whichever course it may take. Calmbirth encourages the presence of a partner or birth support person during all of its classes regardless of age, culture, socio economic or sexual orientation. The benefits of the course to couples are invaluable and goes beyond the birth process, teaching life skills and techniques which can be used in parenting and beyond. The Calmbirth program provides the tools and evidence based knowledge required to support the birthing partner at an emotional and physical level. This certainly comes across in this episode, where the support person becomes just as empowered as the birthing woman; holding true to one of Calmbirth's mottos "There's no birth like a Calmbirth". If you'd like to learn more about their program and find an educator local to you head to their website Calmbirth.com.au You can connect with Emma on Instagram by searching for her Prenatal Yoga initiative @ghettomummas https://www.ghettomovement.com/ghetto-mummas ~ Notes ~ Calmbirth Educator: https://calmbirth.com.au/getting-to-know-calmbirth-educator-lyndal-scerri/ Acupuncturist: https://acufit360health.com Naturopath: https://rebalancenaturopathy.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 care provider. Please connect with us on Facebook or Instagram: @vbacbirthstories