Almost all birth workers have at some point heard the phrase “once a caesar always a caesar”. So let’s examine the research surrounding vaginal birth after caesarean (VBAC). And who better to discuss this with than Author and Researcher Dr Hazel Keedle.

Dr. Hazel Keedle 

Dr Keedle a Senior Lecturer of Midwifery at the School of Nursing and Midwifery, Western Sydney University. She has over two decades of experience as a clinician in nursing and midwifery, educator, and researcher. Her research interests are vaginal birth after caesarean, birth trauma, and maternity experiences, which she explores primarily using feminist mixed methodologies. 

Dr. Keedle's work is recognised nationally and internationally. She has made many invited conference and seminar presentations, and her research has been widely published in academic journals and books.

She is the author of the book "Birth after Caesarean: Your Journey to a Better Birth," which is based on her PhD findings. Dr. Keedle is also the lead researcher on the largest maternity experiences survey, The Birth Experience Study. In September 2022, she became the Editor in Chief of The Practising Midwife Australia from All4Maternity.

Dr Keedle is passionate about improving the experiences of women during childbirth. She is committed to using her research to advocate for women's rights and to ensure that all women have access to respectful, supportive maternity care. 

In this episode we;

• Break down the actual statistical risks associated with VBAC as well as the risks associated with repeat caesarean
• Bust the myth surrounding this “100 year outdated” saying “once a ceasar always a ceasar”.
• Hear about Dr Keedle’s own birth’s and how they became the catalyst of her researching journey which then ultimately led to the writings of her book.
• Discuss how women can best be supported in their VBAC journey

And so much more..

This episode is an important one and you will want to stay around till the very end to hear a very very exciting announcement by Dr Keedle!!

I invite ALL health care professionals to listen to this so that we can provide women with current research surrounding VBAC and ultimately true Informed consent.

For full show notes and links mentioned in this episode head over to www.thepregnancycollective.com.au/podcast

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Please note; all information shared on this Podcast by myself or guests is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice.