Discover
Made For Birth; The VBAC Podcast For Birth After Cesarean
Made For Birth; The VBAC Podcast For Birth After Cesarean
Author: Katherine Stephens - Made 4 Birth
Subscribed: 7Played: 79Subscribe
Share
© 2026 Made For Birth; The VBAC Podcast For Birth After Cesarean
Description
Are you a mom planning a VBAC or CBAC and looking for solid support and inspiration? You’re in the right place!
Join us each week as we dive into empowering stories, expert advice, and the latest research to help you navigate your birth journey with confidence. From the challenges to the triumphs, I'm here to provide you with the information and encouragement you need to have the birth experience you’ve always dreamed of.
Tune in, feel empowered, and remember—you were made for this!
99 Episodes
Reverse
Mama, did you know your baby’s position can completely change how your labor goes — especially if an induction is on the horizon? In this episode, we’re breaking down why baby positioning matters, how it affects labor progress, and what you can do in the weeks (and even days) before birth to give your VBAC the best chance at a smooth, empowered experience. You’ll learn: Signs your baby might be posterior or not optimally positionedGentle movements and techniques to help your baby rotateHo...
Most cesareans don’t begin with an emergency. They begin with a series of small, routine decisions that slowly shift the course of labor. This is called the cascade of interventions. In this episode, you’ll learn: • What the cascade of interventions is • How induction, epidurals, and Pitocin can influence labor progression • Why many cesareans are the result of accumulated interventions—not failure • How to stay informed and in control of your birth experience This episode isn’t about av...
She was told her body failed. That she didn’t progress. That her labor stalled. That her cesarean was necessary because her body couldn’t do it. But what if the problem wasn’t her body? In this episode, we’re breaking down the truth behind the diagnosis “failure to progress”—what it really means, why it’s often misunderstood, and how birth actually unfolds physiologically. If you’ve ever been told your body couldn’t give birth—or you’re afraid it won’t—this episode will change the way you...
"Why would anyone even WANT a VBAC?" If you've ever been asked this question (or asked it yourself), this episode is for you. We're diving into the REAL reasons women pursue VBACs—and spoiler alert: it's about so much more than avoiding surgery. From healing birth trauma to reclaiming your power, from practical recovery to proving something to yourself... every reason is valid, and none of them need justification. It's time to flip the script on how we talk about VBAC. Let's go. Coaching Pr...
Everyone says “you’ll just know.” But when you’re actually pregnant—especially if you’ve been induced, had a cesarean, or experienced a complicated birth—that advice can feel confusing at best and wildly unhelpful at worst. In this episode, we’re cutting through the noise and talking about what labor really looks and feels like in real life. Not the dramatic movie version. Not the textbook checklist. The lived, nuanced, sometimes messy reality. This is not a deep-dive childbirth class (th...
Choosing a doula isn’t about finding a doula—it’s about finding the right support for you. In this episode, we’re talking about how to actually know if a doula is a good fit, especially if you’re planning a VBAC. Not all doulas practice the same way, and not all doulas are deeply familiar with the unique challenges that can come with birth after cesarean. We’ll cover: Why “Are you certified?” isn’t the most important questionHow your why should guide who you hireWhat makes VBAC support di...
You can read every book. Listen to every podcast. Follow every birth account on Instagram. And still feel unsure. Not because you’re doing it wrong—but because information without guidance creates overwhelm, not confidence. In this episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on online birth coaching—what it actually is, why it works (yes, even for hospital births), and how having the right support during pregnancy can completely change how you walk into labor. We’re talking about: • why “le...
If you’ve ever started a new year full of good intentions… only to feel behind before January is over — this episode is for you. Motherhood doesn’t pause so you can “start fresh,” and most New Year’s resolutions were never designed with moms in mind. In this episode, we unpack why resolutions so often fall apart in motherhood, how unrealistic expectations quietly fuel shame, and what actually supports growth in real life. We talk about: Why willpower and consistency don’t work the way w...
We’ve been told for years that cesarean rates are high because women’s bodies are failing—that somehow, birth just doesn’t work anymore. But that’s not the truth. In this episode, we’re pulling back the curtain on what’s really driving those high cesarean numbers—and spoiler alert—it’s not biology, it’s bias. You’ll learn: 💥 What “birth bias” actually means (and how it quietly shapes your care) 🏥 How hospital culture, provider fear, and outdated policies fuel interventions 👩⚕️ The differ...
Let’s be real—sleep deprivation hits harder than anyone warns you. The fog, the tears, the moments where you question if you’ll ever feel like yourself again. It’s not just “new mom tired”—it’s a physiological and emotional storm that affects your healing, hormones, and mental health. In this episode, we’re breaking down what’s really happening in your body when you’re running on empty, why rest isn’t a luxury—it’s medicine—and how to navigate those brutal postpartum nights without losing y...
One year. 13,205 downloads. 57 countries. 1,500 cities. Every continent (except Antarctica). What started as a microphone, a mission, and a mama with something to say has turned into a community that stretches around the world — and that absolutely blows my mind. In this anniversary episode, I’m sitting down to reflect on the past year — the growth, the pauses, the pivots, and the beautiful chaos that comes with chasing purpose while raising a family. I’m sharing where life has taken me lat...
Movement isn’t just “nice to have” in pregnancy—it’s essential. In this episode, I sit down with Kate Hopkins, a doula, L&D nurse, and Body Ready Method pro, to break down why movement matters so much for both pregnancy and birth. Kate shares how the right movements can reduce common complications, support your baby’s position, and help you feel strong and prepared for labor. Whether you’re looking to lower your risk of interventions or just want to feel more connected to your body,...
I’m sitting down with Jessica Gable, a registered nurse turned doula who is passionate about low-intervention hospital birth and childbirth advocacy. Jessica has supported countless moms, including those navigating VBACs, and she’s bringing both real-life stories and practical strategies to help you find your voice in the birth room. We’re talking about: ✨ How to prevent those “How did I get here?” birth moments ✨ What advocacy really looks like in a hospital setting ✨ Tips for navigating V...
It’s here, Mama—launch day! 💛 My book You’re Not Broken, You’re Postpartum is officially out in the world, and in this special episode, I’m giving you a gift: I’m reading the introductory chapter straight from the book. This isn’t polished or sugarcoated—it’s raw, honest, and written for the nights you feel unseen, the mornings you feel overwhelmed, and the days you wonder if you’re enough. Spoiler: you are. ✨ Launch Day Special: The ebook is just $1.99 today only! 👉 Grab your copy ...
When your birth story doesn’t go as planned, it can leave a mark on your heart that shows up in postpartum in ways you didn’t expect. In this episode, I’m opening up about my own journey—becoming a mom 9 years ago through a cesarean I never imagined—and how that unexpected path made my postpartum heavier than it had to be. We’ll talk about the hidden connection between your birth and your postpartum mental health, how to recognize when those lingering emotions might be affecting you, and wh...
Why Dilation Doesn’t Predict Birth You’ve heard it. You’ve maybe even stressed over it: “You’re only 1 cm…” “You’ve been 4 cm for weeks…” “You’re not making any progress.” But here’s the truth: Your cervix is not a fortune teller. In this episode, we’re calling out the over-focus on cervical dilation and why it’s such a misleading measure of how “close” you are to labor—or how labor is progressing. You’ll learn: Why dilation doesn’t predict labor onsetWhy internal checks can create ...
Let’s get one thing straight: your provider’s fear should not be the reason you say yes to something in birth. In this episode, we’re diving into how fear-based counseling shows up in VBAC consults and what true informed consent actually looks and feels like. We’re unpacking the difference between evidence-based recommendations and emotionally charged pressure—and why understanding that difference is the key to reclaiming your power. Whether your provider is afraid of uterine rupture, hospi...
You’ve heard it before—“Just trust your doctor.” But what if trusting yourself mattered just as much? In this episode, I’m breaking down what it really means to advocate for your birth, especially when your OB has a different plan. Spoiler: being pro-patient choice doesn’t mean you’re anti-doctor—it means you’re pro-you. We’ll talk about: Why many OBs guide with fear instead of factsHow to spot defensive medicine vs evidence-based careWhat informed consent actually looks like (and what ...
You’re in labor. You’re doing everything right. But suddenly… things slow way down. Is something wrong? Maybe not at all. In this episode, we unpack one of the most misunderstood reasons labor “stalls” — baby’s position. We talk posterior, asynclitic, and all the funky angles babies can wiggle into that slow the birth process down — and why that’s not a failure, it’s a signal. You’ll learn how experienced midwives know when to wait, how to tell the difference between “slow” and “concernin...
Desperate for labor to start? You’re not alone. But mama, before you chug the castor oil or speed-walk your neighborhood like it’s a race track, this episode is your wake-up call. We’re busting 10 common myths about inducing labor at home — the ones you’ve seen on TikTok, heard from your cousin, or silently believed yourself. You’ll learn what actually starts labor (hint: it’s not spicy food), what your body is doing behind the scenes, and how to support your labor without trying to force i...




