In episode 3 of Definitely Baby's VBAC mini-series, three wonderful women share their journeys to VBAC.

As the stories can attest, there is so much power in equipping yourself with evidence-based information and knowledge throughout your pregnancy, especially if you’re planning a VBAC. There is so many great resources and podcasts you can gather this information, and I truly believe that the power of listening to other people’s journeys to VBAC is one of the best and most empowering and encouraging forms of knowledge we can equip ourselves with. For anyone also on their VBAC journey, I hope these stories empower and encourage you. For anyone not on their VBAC journey, I hope you enjoy listening to the magic of these beautiful birth stories. 

Story 1: Rachel

Rachel is a mother of 2 who lives on Worimi Country, in the country town of Stroud, NSW. She lives with her husband Matt, 3 year old Connor and 12 week old baby, Eleanor.

Rachel had her first birth whilst living in the Northern Beaches of Sydney in 2020, right in the middle of Covid. Through a classic cascade of interventions (induction, epidural, “failure to progress”) Connor was born via c-section at 41+5. Fast forward to 2023 and her daughter Eleanor was born via a beautifully empowering, drug free and largely pain free, VBAC. Birthing in a public hospital, with a fragmented model of care, she had to advocate hard for herself. By learning everything she could about VBACs and gathering an epic birth team, she was able to achieve a beautiful physiological birth with minimal interventions. 

The full version of Rachel's birth stories will feature as one of the first episodes of the soon-to-be launched Australian VBAC Stories podcast. Check out the Australian VBAC Stories podcast's instagram page here.

Story 2: Catherine

Catherine lives with her partner Drew and boys Wilbur 4.5 yes and Percy 17 months, on the Surf Coast. 

In her first Pregnancy, Catherine was part of the MGP program at the public hospital. Despite focusing on maternal positioning throughout the pregnancy, Wilbur was posterior and his head wasn’t engaged. At 11 days over Catherine agreed to be induced, due to concerns around the his size. At 42 weeks Wilbur was born via caesarean, as his head never engaged.

In between Wilbur and Percy’s births Catherine had 2 early births, which, combined with the cesearean birth, impacted Catherine’s confidence and trust in her body. 

Catherine chose to birth with the Birth House midwives for Percy’s pregnancy, and engage a supportive birth doula. During this time Catherine prepared herself mentally, physically and emotionally for a HBAC. Catherine went into labour at 11 days ‘overdue’ and had an empowering, healing waterbirth at home. 

The full version of Catherine's birth stories are included in an episode of the Australian Birth Stories podcast. You can listen to it here.

Story 3: Georgia

Georgia is a Birth & Postpartum Doula living in the Hawkesbury, north-west of Sydney with her husband and two daughters, Luna and Remi.

For her first birth, she was induced at Christmastime in 2019 for post-dates, and unfortunately, experienced the typical cascade of interventions that led to an unplanned caesarean due to ‘failure to progress’. Georgia had a rough time with breastfeeding and held on to the grief of this difficult experience for a long time.

Initially planning a repeat caesarean in her subsequent pregnancy, Georgia discovered the option of VBAC and homebirth at 24 weeks pregnant. She changed her plan, booked a private midwife and gave birth to her second daughter, Remi, at home in November 2021 after a marathon 36-hour labour that was beautiful, empowering and like nothing she could have ever imagined.

The full version of Georgia's birth stories will feature as one of the first episodes of the soon-to-be launched Australian VBAC Stories podcast, that she is one of the hosts of.