Podcasts about vbac

Melle McPhee is a VBAC Link Certified Doula and mom of three girls. Her first birth was an 11-hour vaginal delivery at 39+6 with an epidural and episiotomy. After PPROM (preterm premature rupture of membranes) at 36+5 with her second, Melle found out that her baby was footling breech and had an emergency cesarean. Melle struggled with feeling like her body had failed and feared another spontaneous preterm birth.During her third pregnancy, Melle focused on supporting a full-term pregnancy, including daily collagen protein, exercise, and a nutrient-dense diet. At exactly 40 weeks, she went into spontaneous labor and had a 12-hour physiological home birth VBAC with a midwife. Her water didn't break until five minutes before birth, and she had no tearing. Melle shares how she approached the recommendations surrounding VBAC, home birth, continuous monitoring, and cervical checks through informed consent and her own risk tolerance. Her biggest VBAC advice is to hire a doula and know that a previous spontaneous preterm birth does not mean your body is broken or that you can't carry a future baby to term.Keywords: VBAC, VBAC Doula, HBAC, home birth, PPROM, preterm birth, footling breech, breech prevention, midwife, circumvallate placenta, marginal cord insertionMelle's Doula WebsiteThe VBAC Link Blog: How to Find a VBAC-Supportive ProviderFind a VBAC DoulaThe Ultimate VBAC Prep Course for ParentsOnline VBAC Doula TrainingAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

In this Mailbag episode of Healthful Woman, Dr. Nathan Fox answers listener questions about some of the most common—and confusing—pregnancy and childbirth concerns. He discusses placental lakes and what they mean for pregnancy, VBAC after a previous C-section, cervical swelling during labor, the likelihood of having another fast labor, and whether it's safe to continue breastfeeding during a new pregnancy. Tune in for practical, evidence-based insights on pregnancy, labor, delivery, and postpartum health.

In our latest episode, we welcome Kyra, mum to Savannah and Vera, who shares her journey from an unexpected caesarean birth to a special scar HBAC.Kyra went into her first birth expecting a straightforward vaginal birth. After going into spontaneous labour at 40+4, however, a posterior and asynclitic baby, intense back labour and a long labour that eventually involved a cascade of intervention led to an unplanned caesarean. The experience had a profound impact on Kyra. Immediately after surgery, she was also told that an extension to her uterine incision meant she would need caesareans for any future babies.When Kyra became pregnant again, she knew she wanted to understand her options. She immersed herself in VBAC research, learning about special scars, birth physiology and informed decision-making, and initially began preparing for a hospital VBAC. But as her pregnancy progressed, Kyra began questioning what she needed to feel safe and supported in birth - ultimately making a significant change to her birth plans.In this episode, Kyra shares the twists and turns of preparing for a VBAC with a special scar, including gestational diabetes, a breech baby at 34 weeks, navigating differing opinions about her choices, finding the right support team, and preparing both physically and mentally for birth. We also talk about birth trauma, self-advocacy, informed consent, continuity of care and why Kyra believes knowledge and the people surrounding her made such a difference the second time around.Kyra's story is also a thoughtful reminder that doing all the “right” preparation cannot guarantee a particular birth outcome - and that informed, supported birth can look different for every woman.Whether you're navigating a special scar, preparing for a VBAC or simply trying to feel more informed and confident in your birth choices, we hope you enjoy Kyra's story.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.

One month postpartum and we're answering your questions! We're talking recovery, breastfeeding, adjusting to life with three kids, marriage in the newborn stage, navigating life after loss, and the question everyone keeps asking… are we having baby #4? Mascara Restock!: biswell-beauty.com Betterhelp: Visit https://betterhelp.com/unplannedpodcast #ad Upwork: Visit https://upwork.com right now and post your job for free to connect with top talent ready to help your business grow. Yoto: Head to https://yotoplay.com and use code UNPLANNED to save 10% off all eligible items. Follow The Unplanned Podcast: https://www.instagram.com/unplanned__podcast/ https://www.tiktok.com/@unplanned_podcast Listen to the pod on Spotify/ Apple Podcasts: https://open.spotify.com/show/1ToDA4ufQuWuEgMq07zN6t https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-unplanned-podcast/id1669604504 Follow Matt & Abby: Abby's Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/abbyelizabethoward/ Matt's Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/_matt_howard_/ TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@matt_and_abby Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/mattandabb YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/@MattandAbby Chapters: 01:24 - Life Update 05:44 - Medical bill for miscarriage 08:08 - Parents visit 11:07 - Auggie's Birthday Party 15:26 - Q&A 15:29 - Is Fischer a chill dude? 17:07 - How'd you come up with the name? 18:49 - Transition to 3 boys 22:09 - Adjustment for older boys? 25:02 - Sleep deprivation 26:33 - Compare postpartum experiences 30:05 - working out during pregnancy 35:20 - Pelvic floor issues 36:43 - Learning to love your body postpartum 39:53 - VBAC vs. C-Section? 42:04 - Shoulder dystocia 44:35 - Doula 47:09 - Postpartum anxiety? 48:57 - Rainbow Baby 50:40 - Losing friends 52:23 - Breast pump 56:31 - Night feeds 1:00:45 - Back to work 1:02:27 - Biswell Beauty 1:09:42 - Roommate phase 1:13:46 - Fav song to sing to Fischer? 1:14:47 - Placenta pills 1:15:52 - Breastfeeding 1:17:07 - Feeding schedule 1:20:53 - Baby number 4? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

 “The deck was stacked against me: advanced maternal age, circumvallate placenta, marginal cord insertion, gestational diabetes, induced VBAC, delivery after 41 weeks, 4 hours of pushing, and vacuum assisted delivery.”After 38 hours of labor, chorioamnionitis, and late decels, Stephanie's rainbow baby boy was born by cesarean. His umbilical cord was only five inches long, her husband missed the birth after being forgotten outside the OR, and their son spent five days in the NICU.For her VBAC, she tried all the things to go into labor naturally before being induced at 41+3 with low and slow Pitocin. With the support of a patient OB, doula, and her husband, she labored unmedicated and pushed for four hours before welcoming her daughter with the help of a vacuum. Even with a second-degree tear, postpartum hemorrhage, and a retained placenta, she says that her VBAC was much less traumatic than her cesarean.The VBAC Link Blog: The Best VBAC Induction Methods The VBAC Link Blog: Operative Vaginal DeliveryThe Ultimate VBAC Prep Course for ParentsOnline VBAC Doula TrainingAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Send us Fan MailA baby can arrive and split your life into a before and after. When Steve Wellings and his wife Marie move to Seattle for a military posting, they imagine a simple path: work, a home in the burbs, footy, and a couple of kids. Their first daughter Elizabeth is born by planned caesarean and that first year feels like bliss. Then Ben's birth turns into a crisis that still echoes decades later.Steve takes us through the harrowing detail of a VBAC attempt that should have escalated sooner, an induction that drags on, a ripping sensation that's later understood as uterine rupture, and a fetal heart rate that plunges into danger territory. Ben is born in severe distress, rushed to Seattle Children's, and the family is suddenly learning a new language of neonatal ICU care. We unpack HIE (hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy), what it means when the brain is starved of oxygen, and the gut-punch uncertainty of hearing “we don't know” even from top paediatric neurologists reading an EEG.We also talk about what happens after the diagnosis: feeding and medication support, nasogastric and jejunal tubes, the practical skills parents are expected to master, and the way trauma can create lifelong hypervigilance. Steve shares why they considered legal action, what the real barriers look like in medical malpractice, and why returning home to Australia mattered for support and services.If you're a parent navigating disability, cerebral palsy risk, HIE, or birth trauma, this conversation gives you language, context, and permission to trust your instincts. Subscribe, share this with another parent who needs it, and leave a review so more families can find these stories. danabaltutis.com,  mytherapyhouse.com.au, https://mytherapyhouse.com.au/your-childs-therapy-journey/ https://www.danabaltutis.com/services

Sophiena is back with a big update on Renley's preschool journey, and Emma's house is riddled with back-to-school bugs. Plus, one mum asks for advice on having a VBAC after two emergency C-sections, and another finds out what her six-year-old has discovered Google...

Kerstin erzählt in dieser Folge von ihren drei unterschiedlichen Geburten. Ihre erste Tochter kam mit Kristeller-Handgriff im Krankenhaus zur Welt und Kerstin dachte lange, dass das eine ganz normale Geburt gewesen sei. Erst als sie mit dem zweiten Kind schwanger ist und sich mehr mit physiologischer Geburt beschäftigt, ist ihr klar, dass sie das so nicht nochmal erleben möchte, aber dann kommt eh alles anders und ihr Sohn kommt in der 33. SSW per Kaiserschnitt auf die Welt und verbringt fünf Monate im Krankenhaus. Für die dritte Geburt geht Kerstin allein in den Kreißsaal, da ihr Mann bei den zwei älteren Kindern bleibt. Obwohl sie keine vertraute Person bei sich hat, die für sie einsteht, lehnt sie einige Interventionen ab und meistert sie ihre VBAC. Diese Folge verdeutlicht, wie wichtig eine gründliche Vorbereitung auf die Geburt ist und dass Hebammenbetreuung die mentale und körperliche Gesundheit der Mutter stärkt. ***

Joining us all the way from Edinburgh, Scotland is our friend, Mhairi. Her first birth in 2023 began with PROM (premature rupture of membranes) without regular contractions or cervical change. She was induced, and after concerns came up for both Mhairi and her baby, the birth ended in an emergency cesarean.For her second birth, Mhairi planned a waterbirth VBAC despite it being outside her hospital's protocol. She spent her pregnancy researching her options and met several times with consultants and the head of the birth department. After going into spontaneous labor, she had one final meeting with a doctor while in active labor to discuss waterbirth. Mhairi went on to have her unmedicated VBAC waterbirth, and it was just the empowering experience she hoped it would be.Keywords: VBAC, waterbirth VBAC, waterbirth, NHS, UK maternity care, emergency cesarean, induction, spontaneous labor, unmedicated birth, doula, midwifery careThe Ultimate VBAC Prep Course for ParentsOnline VBAC Doula TrainingAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

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.

De-M.I.S.T-ifying Pregnancy with Dr. Kat SylvesterWhat if your body could talk back — with data? In this episode of Viva La Vulva, Dr. Cara Quant sits down with Dr. Kat Sylvester, PT, DPT, physical therapist, certified VBAC doula, and founder of MommyMonitor, to unpack how technology is rewriting the rules of pregnancy and postpartum care. From her own home births to building a smart platform that gives women real, real-time data about their bodies, Dr. Sylvester breaks down why being informed is the ultimate form of bodily autonomy — especially for the women most often dismissed by the traditional medical system. This is a conversation about power, protection, and finally being believed.Resources: The link to order Dr. Kat's book is below:Get your copy of Pregnancy PrinciplesThe link to Dr. Kat's free tracking cheat sheet is below:365Vitals Daily Health SnapshotContact information:Website: 365vitals.comIG: @operationmistFacebook: Operation M.I.S.T.LinkedIn: Katherine Sylvester, PT, DPTYouTube: @TheMommyMonitorEmail address: info@operationmist.org

In this deeply honest conversation, Danielle shares the full arc of her journey into motherhood, from a medically managed first birth that left her feeling unprepared and disoriented, to a transformative freebirth experience that changed everything. She opens up about navigating a C-section, postpartum, medicalized motherhood, working in the OR, and the emotional process of undoing old beliefs while preparing for a VBAC and eventually choosing wild pregnancy and freebirth. What unfolds is a powerful story of self-responsibility, healing, and reclaiming trust in the body. Danielle reflects on the support that helped her shift her perspective, the intensity of labor, the beauty of meeting her baby at home, and the complex postpartum emotions that followed. This episode is a moving reminder that growth is not linear, birth is not one-size-fits-all, and every woman's experience deserves space, honesty, and reverence.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Introducing LEMONADE, my newest training program.Six months, live, with me. LEMONADE is where you stop shrinking your truth and start building the visibility, the spiritual grit, and the real world tools to speak it in public and survive what comes after. Because the backlash isn't a maybe. It's the toll for doing big work in the open, and I'm going to teach you how to turn it into fuel.Learn more at emileesaldaya.com/lemonadeThe Complete Guide to Freebirth, our popular flagship program, takes you from conception through postpartum with a full education in physiological birth and the mindset of self-responsibility.Learn more at freebirthsociety.com/cgtfThe Radical Birth Keeper School, an in-depth training for women called to sovereign birth-work, blends self-mastery, birth literacy, and practical mentorship outside the medical model. Learn more at freebirthsociety.com/radicalbirthkeeperschoolThe Lighthouse, our private membership sanctuary for awakened women, offers four live coaching sessions a month with Emilee, a library of 50+ expert workshops, and a private forum connecting women worldwide.Learn more at freebirthsociety.com/membershipFollow Emilee's next chapter at emileesaldaya.com, where business and self-mastery coaching for disruptors, healers, and mission-driven entrepreneurs lives beyond the birth space.Find more from Emilee and all things Free Birth Society on Instagram, YouTube, and the Free Birth Society website.Disclaimer: Free Birth Society, LLC of Florida shares personal and educational stories and experiences related to freebirth and holistic care. This content is not medical advice, and we are not a licensed midwifery practice. Testimonials reflect individual experiences; results may vary. For services or scheduling, contact info@freebirthsociety.com. See full disclaimer at freebirthsociety.com/youtubeterms.

Caitlyn is our ultimate IT girl. She's a Certified Nurse Midwife, L&D nurse, doula, two-time VBAC mom of four, inventor of Lila Laborwear and the Lila TENS Unit, Air Force veteran, and was crowned the 2020 Mrs. United States while pregnant with her twins! Caitlyn's motherhood journey began with that surprise twin pregnancy, vasa previa, and twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) which led to a lengthy hospital stay and a cesarean birth with a T-incision. During her second pregnancy, Caitlyn was strongly discouraged from going for a VBAC. But she knew the evidence, trusted her intuition, and went for it. Caitlyn's labor was long and challenging, but ended in an empowering VBAC! She went on to have another VBAC with her third that was unexpectedly unmedicated, using her very own Lila TENS Unit as her only pain relief.Caitlyn shares what she wishes she had known about vasa previa, including treatment options she learned about too late, and dives into pregnancy dating, induction, nipple stimulation, membrane sweeps, castor oil, labor coping, epidurals, unmedicated birth, and preparing for labor regardless of your pain-medication plan. She explains why medical interventions should be approached strategically rather than as all or nothing by asking yourself: “Is this going to improve my chances of having the outcome that I want?” When used thoughtfully and appropriately, sometimes interventions are just the thing that will get you there. Lila Laborwear WebsiteThe Ultimate VBAC Prep Course for ParentsOnline VBAC Doula TrainingAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

No matter how much you prep them, the transition to a new sibling is going to be hard. You can absolutely make it easier, and I did a lot of things that I think really helped, but there's no such thing as an easy transition for a kid whose whole world just changed.In this episode I'm walking through everything we did to prepare our older two for their baby brother, from how we talked about him during pregnancy all the way through what's been happening at home now that the newborn novelty has worn off and the reality of mom's attention being split three ways is setting in. I get into why we chose not to bring our kids to the hospital, what it looked like when they met him for the first time at home, and the one thing we say yes to almost every time because I think it's made a bigger difference than anything else.In this episode, we dive into:How to prep the kids before baby gets hereHow to prep the kids for you being at the hospitalHow to introduce them to the babyHow our transition is going nowand more!---------------------------------------------------------------------------IMPORTANT LINKS•✨ Join our Mom Club on Patreon HERE ✨

After a breech C-section in 2022 and an elective repeat in 2024, Darby switched providers to the “king of VBA2C doctors” at 34 weeks to go for a VBA2C. She hired the best VBAC doula in North Texas, did all the things to prepare and educate herself, but at 40 weeks learned her supportive doctor would be out of town. At 40+5, she labored for nearly three days while facing anti-VBAC doctors, repeated pressure for a C-section, and “dead baby” fear-mongering. She ultimately left the hospital AMA, continued laboring close by with her husband and doula, then returned two days later.Darby finally had a doctor from her supportive practice arrive during an overnight labor, and despite baby's heart rate struggling with contractions, meconium, severe dehydration with ketones, four IVs due to rolling veins, an epidural, and 45 minutes of pushing resulting in a third-degree tear, she got her VBA2C and the perfect skin-to-skin moment she was dreaming of. Darby's message to you all is to know your rights, advocate for yourself, trust your intuition, and stay flexible. About her resistance from doctors, she says, “It was the most intense and probably most medically traumatizing thing of my life, but the end was the most empowering thing ever.” Women of Strength, the way you are treated in birth matters. Get educated, and don't settle for any less than what you deserve!The Ultimate VBAC Prep Course for ParentsOnline VBAC Doula TrainingAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

In this episode of The Motherwhelm, I sit down with Rose to talk about birth trauma, postpartum depression, pregnancy loss, and finding her way back to trust in herself after a difficult beginning to motherhood.Rose shares how the premature birth of her first son and an unexpected caesarean left her feeling unheard, separated from her baby, and struggling with attachment and her mental health in the months that followed.We talk about the expectations we place on that first moment of becoming a mother, what happens when the bond isn't instantaneous, and the lasting impact birth experiences can have on the way we see ourselves and our bodies.Rose also opens up about experiencing recurrent pregnancy loss, navigating pregnancy again after trauma, and eventually preparing for a home birth after caesarean. We explore informed decision-making, maternal intuition, advocacy, and what it can mean to approach birth again after your trust has been shaken.Beyond birth, we talk about identity, relationships, career, community, and the ways motherhood ultimately changed the direction Rose wanted her life to take.This is a conversation about trauma and loss, but also about rebuilding trust, finding support, and discovering that a difficult beginning doesn't have to define the rest of your motherhood story.Resources mentionedGidget HouseThe Great Birth RebellionIna May's Guide to Childbirth — Ina May GaskinZoe BlaskeyThe Birth BagTopics discussed: birth trauma, postpartum depression, maternal-infant attachment, premature birth, caesarean birth, pregnancy loss, recurrent miscarriage, VBAC, home birth after caesarean, birth advocacy, informed decision-making, maternal intuition, matrescence, motherhood identity, relationships, career change, doula support.

In this episode of The Motherwhelm, I sit down with Taylor to talk about becoming a stepmother before she was ready for motherhood herself, navigating a complex co-parenting relationship, and how everything changed again when she welcomed children of her own.Taylor shares the rarely spoken-about reality of becoming a stepmum to a newborn, the loneliness of having no one around her who understood the experience, and the difficult emotions that surfaced after the birth of her first biological child. We talk about resentment, guilt, boundaries, therapy, and the pressure placed on stepmothers to take on a maternal role - even when nobody has asked what they are comfortable carrying.Later, Taylor shares her experience of an ectopic pregnancy, two subsequent miscarriages, and the anxiety of pregnancy after loss. She speaks candidly about knowing something was wrong, feeling dismissed by healthcare professionals, and the importance of advocating for yourself when you know your own body. We also discuss her eventual VBAC, the difference between a traumatic event and a birth that can still feel emotionally empowering, body image after motherhood, the mental load, toddlerhood, career flexibility, friendship, asking for help, and accepting that every family can look a little different.This is an honest conversation about the parts of motherhood and stepmotherhood we don't always say out loud - and the relief that can come when someone finally tells us our feelings are allowed.Resources mentioned:The Great Birth RebellionPop Culture ParentingYou can listen to Taylor's birth stories in Episode 44 of Australian VBAC StoriesTopics discussed: Stepmotherhood, blended families, co-parenting, becoming a stepmum to a newborn, maternal expectations, postpartum mental health, resentment and guilt, therapy, boundaries, biological and step-parent bonds, motherhood identity, flexible work, occupational therapy, endometriosis, ectopic pregnancy, pregnancy loss, miscarriage, medical dismissal, self-advocacy, pregnancy after loss, perinatal anxiety, caesarean birth, VBAC, birth trauma, informed and respectful care, breastfeeding, postpartum recovery, body image, exercise and mental health, relationships after children, toddlerhood, the mental load, friendship, self-care, asking for help and accepting that families can look different.

Matt and Abby introduce their newest addition to the family and share the full story of his whirlwind arrival! From Abby's doctor accidentally breaking her water and an unexpectedly fast labor to getting the VBAC she hoped for, they open up about welcoming their rainbow baby after loss. Plus, they share the realities of postpartum life, breastfeeding, baby blues, and why Matt is turning Abby's placenta into pills. ASPCA Pet Health Insurance: To explore coverage, visit https://www.aspcapetinsurance.com/UNPLANNED The ASPCA® is not an insurer and is not engaged in the business of insurance Momcozy: Right now you can get 10% off the Night Pro Bottle Warmer and 10% when you pre-order the DeepClean Bottle Washer D8 at https://momcozy.com with code UNPLANNED. UpWork: Visit https://upwork.com right now and post your job for free to connect with top talent ready to help your business grow. Zocdoc: Taking care of your health just got easier – start here with Zocdoc: https://zocdoc.com/UNPLANNED #sponsored Yoto: Head to https://yotoplay.com and use code UNPLANNED to save 10% off all eligible items. Follow The Unplanned Podcast: https://www.instagram.com/unplanned__podcast/ https://www.tiktok.com/@unplanned_podcast Listen to the pod on Spotify/ Apple Podcasts: https://open.spotify.com/show/1ToDA4ufQuWuEgMq07zN6t https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-unplanned-podcast/id1669604504 Follow Matt & Abby: Abby's Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/abbyelizabethoward/ Matt's Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/_matt_howard_/ TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@matt_and_abby Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/mattandabb YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/@MattandAbby Mascara is sold out! Thank you guys so much! Sign up here for updates on restock: https://www.biswell-beauty.com/ Chapters: 00:31 - Baby and name reveal! 02:54 - Going into labor 11:26 - Contractions 14:52 - Epidural 24:26 - VBAC 28:23 - Redemptive birth after loss 35:54 - Introducing new baby to the family 40:36 - Postpartum plan 42:08 - Getting released from the hospital 49:33 - Breastfeeding 52:11 - Doula 58:02 - Mental health postpartum Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Stephanie's first two births were vaginal deliveries, her third was a peaceful, scheduled C-section after declining an ECV, and her third was an empowering VBAC with an ECV at 36 weeks. She is a doula, prenatal/postpartum fitness specialist, and the founder of Mission Rise and Mission Motherhood. We loved this piece of advice Stephanie sent us in her intake form: “One thing I don't think we talk about enough is that birth preparation should evolve with each pregnancy. “For a first-time mom, that often means learning as much as you can so birth doesn't simply happen to you—attending childbirth and breastfeeding classes, considering a doula, and preparing for postpartum (your bedside, having a meal train, etc.). “For moms who've given birth before, preparation often means processing your previous birth before preparing for the next one. “Every birth deserves to be treated as its own story, and each pregnancy offers a new opportunity to advocate for yourself, explore your options, and prepare with fresh eyes instead of assuming this birth will be just like the last.” This episode was SO fun to record. We just basked in the beautiful way Stephanie talked about birth, advocacy, faith, and all of her practical tips. And another fun piece of her VBAC was that Stephanie and her sister were pregnant together and got to be each other's doulas at their births, only 13 days apart!Vote for The VBAC LinkNatural Hospital Birth, The Best of Both WorldsStephanie's WebsiteThe Ultimate VBAC Prep Course for ParentsOnline VBAC Doula TrainingAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

I'm finally back on the podcast today with my very special 5 month old baby guest!  Sharing a life update with the empowering story of my unmedicated VBAC, how my four births have gone down in four very different ways, what postpartum has been like as a family of six, and my own personal rebirth as a mom of four - including some very powerful realizations. *Receive the Future Self Meditation and the 6 Minute Energy Cleanse Meditation for free when you sign up here for Lyndsey's newsletter. --- If you're enjoying this podcast, please rate, review, and subscribe.

What would it feel like to go into labor fully prepared for your VBAC - and then have your baby flip breech in the middle of it? That's exactly what happened to Kathryn May, a VBAC Lab student and stay-at-home mom of two from Charlotte, NC.After a traumatic first birth that ended in an unplanned C-section, Kathryn was determined to do things differently the second time around. She switched to a VBAC-supportive practice, brought her husband fully into the process, and walked into labor informed and ready. Things were progressing beautifully - until a routine check revealed something no one expected: baby James had flipped breech.Kathryn's story isn't about getting the birth she planned. It's about what happens when you're prepared enough to handle it when the plan changes anyway - and still walk away feeling like you were part of every decision, confident, and empowered.In this episode:Why Kathryn's first C-section left her feeling like things were "happening to her" instead of with herHow to spot red flags with a provider who isn't truly VBAC-supportive (and why body language matters as much as their words)Getting her husband trained as an active advocate, not just a bystanderThe moment her midwife said, "I don't feel a head" - and what came nextHow Kathryn made her unplanned C-section feel informed and participatory instead of traumaticWhy "you can refuse anything, but should you?" became her guiding question in the moment that mattered mostIf Kathryn's story hit home for you - especially if your own birth didn't go the way you planned - be gentle with yourself. Whatever happened, you showed up, and that matters.Share this episode with a mama preparing for her VBAC or preparing for birth. Hit subscribe, leave a review, and help us reach every mama who needs to hear this.Connect with Kathryn:Follow her on Instagram @drkathrynmayMore from this episode:Join The VBAC Lab or explore The Calm Labor Birth Bundle Helpful Timestamps:00:00 VBAC Lab Student Birth Story01:56 First Birth C-Section05:26 Switching to Supportive Team10:45 Labor Begins at Home15:32 Baby is Breech18:09 Redemptive C-Section Plan20:16 Baby James Arrives26:36 Advice for VBAC Moms28:26 Why Education MattersJoin The Calm Labor Birth Bundle - everything you need from bump to baby! Use code POD50 for $50 off!Over 15k mamas have used our classes to prepare for a birth that they love

We know her and love her from jingles on all the socials with her husband, Steven. She documented her VBAC prep journey on the internet, and now Blair aka @6.lair is here sharing ALL details with The VBAC Link! About Blair: She's a 2x mom based in Michigan who had an unmedicated hospital VBAC in May 2026. As a pediatric ICU nurse herself, she's a huge advocate for patient centered care, non-pharmacological pain interventions, and informed consent. Her first birth was a scheduled C-section due to placenta previa. Her VBAC was just under 24 hours with AROM, lots of movement, using the shower during contractions, pushing for 1hr and 40 min, the fetal ejection reflex, and no tearing. You will walk away from her stories with such a deep understanding of the step-by-step process of unmedicated birth. From trying to induce spontaneous labor all the way to the nitty gritty of what recovery from a vaginal delivery feels like, Blair is a girl's girl who REALLY wants you to know what to expect. It was hard, transition was scary, pushing wasn't what she thought it would be, AND it was the most empowering thing she's ever done. VOTE for The VBAC LinkBlair's LinktreeThe Ultimate VBAC Prep Course for ParentsOnline VBAC Doula TrainingAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

In this episode of The Motherwhelm, I sit down with Amy to talk about becoming a mother at eighteen, navigating single motherhood, raising an autistic teenager, and redefining what success looks like through the different seasons of motherhood.Amy reflects on the judgment she experienced as a young single mum, the determination it sparked to prove people wrong, and how those early experiences shaped both her parenting and her career as a social worker supporting families. Together, we explore the realities of raising children across vastly different ages, balancing career ambitions with family life, and the way motherhood continually asks us to adapt as our children grow.We also discuss birth experiences, informed decision-making, caesarean births, VBAC, breastfeeding, body image, parenting neurodivergent children, and the importance of finding confidence in your own voice amidst the opinions of others. Amy shares how becoming a mother inspired her life's work, why she believes families deserve support rather than judgment, and how motherhood has taught her to embrace both ambition and flexibility.This is an honest conversation about resilience, advocacy, parenting across different seasons of life, and discovering that there is no single "right" way to build a family or a meaningful career.If you've ever questioned your parenting, felt the weight of other people's opinions, navigated motherhood alongside career aspirations, or raised a child with additional needs, I hope Amy's story reminds you to trust yourself and celebrate the family you're creating.Resources mentionedMatrescence by Lucy JonesThe Motherhood (edited collection of letters by Australian women)I'm Just Not Myself You See by Ariane BeestonAustralian Birth Stories PodcastAustralian VBAC Stories PodcastReady or Not PodcastSafe Hands (maternal and child health resources)Topics discussed: young motherhood, single motherhood, family violence, birth stories, caesarean birth, VBAC, birth choices, informed consent, breastfeeding, body image, autism, neurodivergent parenting, career and motherhood, social work, matrescence, family support, parenting identity, motherhood and ambition.

How can we help save the lives of our pregnant and post-partum patients?  What about doing more than just resolving their reported symptoms?We can't wait for you to hear this conversation with Katherine Sylvester - she has spent her entire career challenging the status quo and pushing for better results for her patients.  After experiencing postpartum preeclampsia herself, Katherine began asking how wearable data could help women recognize problems earlier, advocate for themselves and make better decisions during pregnancy and postpartum. That eventually grew into Operation M.I.S.T. and her work helping women use their own data to better understand their bodies. And that's just one part of this conversation!We talk about:

In this episode, Dr. Emily Brownlee shares her journey from traditional medicine to holistic pelvic health care, highlighting her personal birth experiences, the importance of pelvic therapy, and how faith and family shaped her approach to health and motherhood.

She's the chick who helps moms and babies, the one and only Nina Spears, founder and CEO of The Baby Chick®, is hereeee! Nina is a certified baby planner, birth and postpartum doula, childbirth educator, newborn care specialist, infant massage instructor, and perinatal nutrition expert who has worked with more than 800 families in person, thousands virtually, and has supported over 350 births over the past 15 years.She's also the host of Chick Chat: The Baby Chick Podcast and the author of The Baby Chick Guide to Positive Pregnancy, which just published June 2026. She says it's, “essentially what I've been wanting my clients to have for the last 15 years”. And what does it mean to have a positive pregnancy? Nina says it's all about feeling informed, supported, and empowered. But, it's also having conversations about the realities of pregnancy, birth, and postpartum that just aren't happening…until this episode. What we aren't talking about enough that we take a deep dive into today: The invisible load of motherhood that starts DURING pregnancyNot just holding the baby, but also holding the mamaPatrescence and the hormone shift of dads What actually helps women feel prepared and supported for a babyWhy peace on earth begins with birthVillages are never freeDeciding to VBAC and honing in on what YOU really wantThe pressures that VBAC moms carryDebunking the superiority of birthNina is an absolute joy! We promise this episode is SUCH a good one. The Baby Chick Guide to Positive Pregnancy: How to Prepare Your Mind, Body, and PartnerThe Baby Chick WebsiteThe Baby Chick on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, TikTokChick Chat: The Baby Chick PodcastThe Ultimate VBAC Prep Course for ParentsOnline VBAC Doula TrainingAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

A VBAC at home, also called an HBACWhy did Dr Prity  , a dentist , a medical professional, now a Diastasis Recti Specialist Vaginal Steaming Practitioner Postpartum Doula Prenatal Postnatal fitness expert , decided to have a homebirth after a prior VBAC in the hospital?What did she know that factored in her decision, how was her experience? How did she plan her care and how did her experience differ from that at the hospital to home. Tune in now to hear her narrate the layers of her story!~ Please note the decision to birth at home should always lie with the parents with complete information. Birthing at home is the most supportive of the biological process yet it is not for everyone. Support the showSign up for Childbirth Preparation Programs! visit https://birthagni.com/services#childbirth-preparation-programshttps://birthagni.com/copy-of-services#breastfeeding-preparation-programThis episode is supported and made possible by podcast recording and hosting tool Zencastr, it is impeccably made! Use my link : https://zen.ai/vxmuJUgYKKGTF3JuTuFQ0g to sign up and record flawless remote podcast , USE my code : BIRTHAGNISupport the show:https://birthagni.com/birthagnipodcast#donateIf you like what you hear, leave us a rating on Spotify app and answer the question at each episode!a review on Apple podcasts. Share on Whatsapp/Insta/FBShare on Instagram and tag us @divyakapoorvoxSupport the pro...

In this episode of The Motherwhelm, I sit down with Jenna to talk about infertility, IVF, birth trauma, emotional regulation, and learning to trust yourself through motherhood.Jenna shares her long road to becoming a mother, from navigating endometriosis, blocked fallopian tubes, and IVF during the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic, to welcoming her two boys after years of longing. She reflects on the heartbreak of infertility, the emotional toll of repeated setbacks, and the profound gratitude that followed becoming a mother.Together, we explore two traumatic birth experiences, the grief of an unexpected emergency caesarean, and the deep disappointment of preparing for a VBAC that ultimately ended the same way. Jenna speaks openly about birth trauma, postpartum mental health, infant feeding challenges, and the pressure she placed on her body after feeling it had "failed" her through infertility, birth, and breastfeeding.We also discuss motherhood identity, accepting help, raising emotionally secure boys, body image after motherhood, and the ongoing work of learning to regulate our own emotions while teaching our children to regulate theirs. Jenna shares how motherhood has transformed her confidence, strengthened her relationships, and taught her to trust her instincts above the endless noise of conflicting advice.This is an honest conversation about resilience, healing, letting go of perfection, and discovering that motherhood isn't about getting everything right, it's about showing up, repairing when we need to, and growing alongside our children.If you've experienced infertility, IVF, birth trauma, difficult postpartum emotions, or you've ever questioned whether your body has let you down, I hope Jenna's story reminds you that healing is possible, and that your worth has never been defined by how your motherhood journey began.Resources mentioned:Australian VBAC Stories PodcastAustralian Birth StoriesJess UrlichsMatrescent MuseRaising Boys – Maggie DentCatherine DennyEmma HeaphyTopics discussed:IVF, infertility, endometriosis, PCOS, blocked fallopian tubes, COVID fertility treatment, birth trauma, emergency caesarean, VBAC, birth debrief, postpartum mental health, breastfeeding challenges, formula feeding, body image, motherhood identity, emotional regulation, raising boys, gentle parenting, motherhood confidence, village, trusting your instincts.Resources mentionedTopics discussed:

We're officially on baby watch.

Hannah's first labor began at 40 weeks, the day after a membrane sweep. She opted for an epidural but due to fetal tachycardia, had an unplanned cesarean. It was a lonely and confusing postpartum not coping well with the emotional trauma of that birth. Hannah prepared for a VBAC and planned a home birth with a midwife hoping for a different experience. She felt peaceful about transferring to the hospital when labor stalled at 9cm. She talks about what made that transfer feel empowering, including the sweetest affirmations from her cute husband. She also shares about her baby girl's diagnosis with Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis (LCH) at just 7 weeks old and how walking through a rare childhood illness (quite literally 1 in a million!) changed her perspective on birth, motherhood, and life's hardest seasons.Hannah was a TVL podcast listener herself long before she had her own VBAC. We hope you can find the same inspiration and love that Lily, Paige, and Hannah did when prepping for their own births!To Lily, she said, “The way that you and Paige honor women's birth stories is just so beautiful. It's such a powerful service you provide. It was so inspirational and hopeful, and I still listen every week.”Our birth stories are meant to be held and shared communally. And this is why we are here.Keywords: VBAC, planned HBAC, hospital transfer, cesarean birth, tachycardia, membrane sweep, epidural, PPA, birth trauma, husband, birth advocacy, Histiocytosis, infant cancerHystiocytosis AssociationThe Ultimate VBAC Prep Course for ParentsOnline VBAC Doula TrainingAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

One of Paige's dearest friends and fellow doula in South Korea, Ali Craft, joins the pod today sharing her incredibly inspiring (and hilariously narrated!) seven birth stories, including four cesareans and three vaginal births. Ali was able to advocate for not only a VBA2C in Korea, where it is extremely uncommon for hospitals to offer VBAC support, but she also had TWO VBA4Cs. Ali's stories remind us that every.birth.is.different. From long labors to short ones, planned cesareans to unplanned CBACs, induction, epidural, spontaneous labor, and so much more in between, we know you will take away so much inspiration from her stories. “I love supporting moms now because in labor when they're dying, I can say, I KNOW. When it's taking forever, I KNOW. When they end up with the C-section they didn't really want, I know.” Craft and Co. Doula ServicesThe Ultimate VBAC Prep Course for ParentsOnline VBAC Doula TrainingAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

For the first time EVER, all four of The VBAC Link hosts are together in one episode! Founders and original pod hosts Julie Francom and Meagan Heaton join current hosts Lily Wyn and Paige Lloyd to answer your live VBAC questions. With more than 15 years of combined doula experience and hundreds of births attended, this episode is full of wisdom, evidence-based tips, and so much love for our listeners who have been with us all of these years.  Topics include:How to decide between a VBAC and repeat cesareanPreventing PROM and chorioamnionitis 39-week induction recommendation early in pregnancyEngaging baby's head before laborHow to trust your intuition Coping with fearTips on practical birth prepMeagan's Website: Tiny Blessings Doula ServicesJulie Francom Birth StoriesLove Wyns Doula Services The Birth Narrative Doula ServicesThe Ultimate VBAC Prep Course for ParentsOnline VBAC Doula TrainingAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

This week, Caite and Arlene interview Illinois doula Brittany Higgins, a former labor nurse who left hospital work about 18 months ago to run her doula business while raising two daughters and living on a corn, soybean, and Black Angus cattle farm. Higgins explains that doulas provide non-medical education and support prenatally, during labor, and postpartum, including helping process prior birth trauma, offering continuous presence through long labors, supporting partners, and sometimes assisting with C-sections depending on hospital rules. The conversation highlights rural maternal-care challenges such as long travel distances, limited services like VBAC availability, and closing delivery facilities. Higgins discusses pain-management options beyond epidurals, boundaries and advocacy in birth, postpartum mental health support and resources, practical ways to help new parents, and using Reiki and therapy for trauma. The episode ends with parenting reflections, county fair fun, and where to find Higgins online and locally.We're glad you're joining us for another episode of Barnyard Language. If you enjoy the show, please tell a friend (or two) and be sure to rate and review us wherever you're listening! If you want to help us keep buying coffee and paying our editor, you can make a monthly pledge on Patreon to help us stay on the air. You can find us on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok as BarnyardLanguage, and if you'd like to connect with other farming families, you can join our private Barnyard Language Facebook group. We're always in search of future guests for the podcast. If you or someone you know would like to chat with us, get in touch.If you have a something you'd like to Cuss & Discuss, you can submit it here: speakpipe.com/barnyardlanguage or email us at barnyardlanguage@gmail.com.

Today we sit down with Alex, a nurse practitioner and mama of two, who shares her journey from a scheduled breech cesarean to a fast, spontaneous VBAC at a birth center. After two unsuccessful ECV attempts, Alex planned for a cesarean with her first baby. Along the way, she also experienced the heartbreak of miscarriage before welcoming her daughter. Alex opens up about navigating conflicting medical opinions (including being told by an MFM that her baby would die– not okay!!) and how her and her medical doctor husband's views on out-of-hospital birth evolved over time. Alex also shares why practicing for labor could only take her so far before surrender became the greatest lesson, the importance of surrounding yourself with more than just a supportive provider, and how having an encouraging birth team made all the difference. Alex especially talks about how her VBAC-certified doula was an invaluable part of that team. We also discuss some of the evidence behind using ultrasounds to measure scar thickness as a predictor of a VBAC outcome or uterine rupture, and why ACOG does NOT recommend it. The Ultimate VBAC Prep Course for ParentsOnline VBAC Doula TrainingAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Send us Fan MailKacey shares her story — from the bakery management years where she was slowly falling apart, to the gyno appointment that didn't take her seriously, to the Hashimoto's diagnosis at 33, to the c-section and postpartum that broke her open and pointed her toward holistic work, to the miscarriage that taught her to go deeper, to the second pregnancy and VBAC that proved the work was working. And finally to where she is now — six years into building Simply Healthy Integrative Wellness, off thyroid medication for the first time in nearly a decade, single parenting two kids, and still standing.This is not a "and then I was perfect" story. It's the story that explains why Kacey works the way she works, why she trusts the women she works with as adults, and why she refuses to issue rules or sell quick fixes.If you've ever sat in a doctor's appointment knowing something was wrong while being told you were fine — this one is for you.Follow on Instagram @simplyhealthywellnesshttps://simplyhealthyintegrativewellness.com/

It's a solo one today!! Allison is 12 weeks postpartum and finally ready to tell her birth story from the top. This is part 1 of 2, covering the lead-up: prepping for a VBAC after her first C-section, membrane sweeps, prodromal labor scares, her water breaking, and getting checked into the hospital. Full TMI warning - nothing is off limits.Sponsors:Plan B: Find Plan B at a retailer near you or order online or through your delivery app today. Visit PlanBOneStep.com for more. Mabel's Labels: Visit mabelslabels.com and use code SUNDAY at checkout for 20% offSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

  Links: The Birth Hour: Real Birth Stories to Inform, Inspire, and Empower (book available for preorder now!) Get your breast pump, lactation support, and maternity compression garments for free at aeroflowbreastpumps.com/birthhour and use promo code BIRTHHOUR15 at for 15% off supplies and accessories. Know Your Options Online Childbirth Course - use code 100OFF for $100 off Beyond the First Latch Course (comes free with KYO course) Support The Birth Hour via Patreon! 

Today's episode is a deep dive with just Paige and Lily all about LONG pregnancies and LONG labors. Are due dates expiration dates? Is it okay to go past 41 weeks with VBAC? How do you stay sane and steady when you are more than readyyyy for labor to start? And when it does and things take much, much longer than you hoped, (you're in good company because Lily knows all about this with her 66-hour VBAC) we've got you. How do you overcome a labor stall? How to reset on the morning of another full day of labor? When is it time to reassess? Lily and Paige share a peek into their doula brains with lots of tips, research, and stories as two gals who love birth and want you to know that you are stronger than you ever thought.

Signing the general consent form when you walk into the hospital does not mean you have agreed to everything that follows. Not the Pitocin. Not the vaginal exam. Not the electronic fetal monitor. Not the cesarean. Not the hospital policy. Every single one of those still requires your informed consent.I had the privlege of sitting down with Hermine Hayes-Klein, an attorney who has spent 25 years specializing in women's rights in pregnancy and childbirth. She moved to the Netherlands while pregnant with her first baby, watched a completely different birth system up close for five years, came home, and became a lawyer who takes the birth cases nobody else will touch. The ones where the baby is okay but the mama is not. She represents the women nobody is fighting for. And she wins.What Hermine shares about your actual rights in the birth room is the kind of information that changes how you walk into every single prenatal appointment and ultimately into your birth.  Here are some highlights from the episode:What informed consent actually means — and why signing a general consent when you walk into the hospital does not cover everything that followsThe real cases behind Hermine's work — and why she started taking them when nobody else wouldWhat hospital policies can and cannot do — and why they do not get to override your legal and constitutional rightsThe specific ACOG documents Hermine recommends having printed and highlighted in your hospital bag before labor startsThe five sets of risks every pregnant mama deserves to weigh when making birth decisions — and why providers are only ever talking about one of themInduction, breech birth, electronic fetal monitoring, AMA — what you actually need to know about each of theseThe exact language you can use to hold your ground in the birth room without being rudeConnect with Hermine:

Casey is a L&D nurse who had both of her babies at the same hospital where she works. Her first birth was an unexpected C-section, but thankfully not traumatic.. Casey brings up how working as a nurse can sometimes make birth harder from seeing the tough stuff, but how that can also actually be really helpful when things don't go to plan too. Casey knew she wanted a VBAC, but she didn't expect anger to show up the way it did during her pregnancy. She fielded a lot of insensitive comments at work but was able to tune out the noise and tune in to her spirituality and faith to keep her grounded. She was supposed to work L&D the night her baby was born! But instead of helping other moms welcome their babies, her nurse friends were there cheering for her. Casey's surprise gender VBAC was sweet, sacred, and empowering! We know you'll love Casey's beautiful personality as much as we do. Needed Website: Code TVL for 20% OffThe Ultimate VBAC Prep Course for ParentsOnline VBAC Doula TrainingAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

I'm back, and this is my first episode recording since going on maternity leave and welcoming my second daughter into the world. So many of you in The MSing Link and on social media have been asking about my birth story, and I wanted to share part of it with you. But this episode is about so much more than childbirth. It's about realizing how strong you already are… even if you've forgotten it. Especially if you don't feel it. In this episode, I share: → The arrival of Scarlett Townsend, and the special meaning behind her name (her middle name honors my husband's mom, who we lost this past November) → The decision that weighed on me my entire pregnancy: C-section or VBAC? And why I felt so much shame around the choice I ultimately made → Why staying local turned out to be exactly the right call, especially when my heart rate dropped into the 40s for nearly 24 hours after delivery → The chaos of those first weeks home: cluster feeding, two-kids-at-once mornings, a new puppy (ask me why… I honestly don't know), and my old friend, noise sensitivity → The ordinary moment on my couch (feeding Scarlett, singing "The Wheels on the Bus" into a toy microphone, and shooing the puppy away with one foot) when it hit me: Wait, I'm doing it. Look at me go. I want to be clear: I'm not comparing my experience to living with MS. But I think this is something universal. We don't always find out what we're capable of until something asks us to rise. Strength doesn't always look the way we imagine. Sometimes it looks like asking for help. Sometimes it looks like accepting the C-section instead of carrying shame about it. And sometimes it looks like getting out of bed, getting dressed, and walking around your home, all of which take real emotional and physical strength. So this is your reminder: you are so much stronger than you think. And so much stronger than you feel. More likely than not, you did something hard today and didn't even stop to notice. Your movement still counts. You've got this.

Send us Fan MailUnder the global model, labor management was absorbed into the delivery code. Two hours or twenty-two, same payment. Starting January 1, 2027, the AMA introduces 59080 through 59083, the first dedicated labor management codes in CPT history. The work was always there. Now it gets paid. Dr. Heather Signorelli and Amy Hicks, CPC, COBGC, our AVP of Operations, walk through the codes, the documentation, the corrected delivery code framing, the midnight-spanning labor rule, the multi-provider attribution problem, and the three actions every OB practice should take this quarter. Why labor management was invisible: Under the global model, the cognitive work of managing labor was absorbed into the delivery code. Practices managing complicated labors (preeclampsia, GDM, category two tracings) have been subsidizing simple deliveries for decades. The four new labor management codes: 59080 (initial day, straightforward) · 59081 (initial day, complex) · 59082 (subsequent day, straightforward) · 59083 (subsequent day, complex). Codes bill per calendar date. One code per date per patient. Straightforward vs complex: the six-criteria test: All six straightforward criteria must be met: singleton vertex, routine monitoring, no FHR intervention required on that date, normal progression or routine induction without complication, stable medical conditions, no prior cesarean. Any one criterion not met means the labor is complex. Duration of labor alone is NOT complexity unless prolonged labor is formally diagnosed. What the complex note has to say: Explicitly name the complicating condition. Not just “patient has GDM,” but what about the GDM you managed today. Document MDM across multiple data sources, labs reviewed, monitoring strip interpreted, imaging assessed. Document additional monitoring or intervention beyond standard, what you did and why. Document multi-provider coordination if applicable that date. For 59083 (subsequent day complex), complexity must be re-established for EACH subsequent day. A single admission note does not carry forward. Delivery codes (corrected framing): The 2027 delivery codes separate vaginal from cesarean, not vaginal from operative. 59431 (vaginal, no prior cesarean) · 59432 (VBAC vaginal) · 59502 (primary cesarean) · 59503 (repeat cesarean). Vacuum and forceps are separately billable add-on procedures. Included in the delivery code: placenta, first and second degree laceration repair, same-day postpartum care. Separately billable add-ons: 59433 (third degree lac), 59434 (fourth degree lac), 59623 (uterine tamponade, new 2027 code), 59504 (hysterectomy with cesarean). Midnight-spanning labor (correcting the record): A continuous labor encounter spanning midnight is reported as ONE labor management service on ONE of the two calendar dates. The practice decides which date. Inpatient E/M codes (99221 through 99236) do NOT stack with labor management codes. They replace each other. Inpatient E/M applies before labor begins. Once active labor management starts, switch to 59080 through 59083. Multi-provider attribution: Each provider bills the service they personally performed. The labor management code goes to the provider who managed labor on that calendar date. The delivery code goes to the provider who delivered. If the delivering provider also managed labor on the delivery date, they can bill both. Two failure modes: the miss (no one drops the charge), and the double-bill (both providers drop the same charge). The solution is a daily reconciliation, not monthly. Three actions this quarter: Map your call and cross-coverage. Find where charges go unbilled today and where two providers could overlap. Build a daily L and D reconciliation process. Assign ownership. Reconcile before shift end, not at month end. Update EHR labor management templates to prompt for the six criteria, complicating conditions, MDM elements, and same-day decisions.  RESOURCES BLOCK Save your seat: Live OB/GYN Global Codes Update Webinar (July 7, 2026, 4:00 PM ET) · eligibility.natrevmd.com/obgyn-global-updates-webinar Book a 1:1 with Dr. Signorelli · calendly.com/heather-natrevmd/ Practice Revenue Leak Scorecard · eligibility.natrevmd.com/nrm-revenue-scorecard-v3 Payment Posting Audit Checklist · eligibility.natrevmd.com/payment-posting-checklist RECOVER Diagnostic Quiz · natrevmd.com/quiz Series Part 2 (EP190): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/190-every-prenatal-visit-is-now-a-billable-event/id1624182351?i=1000774328121                                             

In today's episode we reference the following resources:Should I be induced? Evidence on the ARRIVE TrialPlanning Your Successful VBAC**********Welcome to the June Q&A! In today's episode, we begin with a listener who has some things to say about the term VBAC. Our questions begin with one from a new mother whose enthusiastic in-laws are eager to babysit her exclusively breastfed baby. The conversation is less about breastfeeding and more about expectations, trust and boundaries.Next, we answer one we've never been asked: "What do contractions actually feel like?" How's it possible this hasn't come up before?!Then, we discuss a common late-pregnancy scenario: a routine ultrasound that leads to concerns about a "big baby." When a healthy 38-week pregnant woman is told her baby's abdomen is measuring large, how much weight should she give to that information? As always, we finish with Quickies, covering cervical lips, high-lipase milk, pacifiers, coffee during pregnancy, milk blebs, antidepressants, swaddling, wake windows, dates, sex, retained placenta, induction, creatine, and a few personal questions about coffee preferences and family size.Have a question for a future Q&A? We'd love to hear from you. Leave us a voicemail and join the conversation! Call us 24/7 at 802-GET-DOWN! That's 802-438-3696.**********Choosing Induction: When it Might be NeededSend us Fan Mail Access our workshops: Have a Physiologic Birth in the Hospital and Ultrasound: The Research vs RhetoricNeeded

Willa joins the pod from San Francisco, CA to share her journey from a 41+5 spontaneous 30-hour labor with OP positioning and a cesarean with her 9lb, 6oz first baby to a VBAC with her 10lb, 3oz second baby. She talks about switching providers, using Dilapan rods for cervical ripening, being induced at 41 weeks, and navigating another OP baby. Willa shares the lessons she learned about preparing emotionally for birth, the nuances of birth language, trusting that each birth can be different, and surrounding yourself with people who will be your biggest VBAC champions. And stay until the end to hear the most beautiful poem about her VBAC journey! How Dilapan-S Rods WorkEBB Birth: Pros and Cons of Foley and Dilapan-S® for InductionThe Ultimate VBAC Prep Course for ParentsOnline VBAC Doula TrainingAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Links: The Birth Hour: Real Birth Stories to Inform, Inspire, and Empower (book available for preorder now!) Get your breast pump, lactation support, and maternity compression garments for free at aeroflowbreastpumps.com/birthhour and use promo code BIRTHHOUR15 at for 15% off supplies and accessories. Know Your Options Online Childbirth Course - use code 100OFF for $100 off Beyond the First Latch Course (comes free with KYO course) Support The Birth Hour via Patreon! 

 Fertility Docs Uncensored Today's episode of Fertility Docs Uncensored is hosted by Dr. Carrie Bedient from the Fertility Center of Las Vegas, Dr. Susan Hudson from Texas Fertility Center, and Dr. Abby Eblen from Nashville Fertility Center. In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Amy Harris, reproductive endocrinologist at Shady Grove Fertility in Colorado Springs, for a listener-question episode focused on the uterus and endometrium. In this episode, we tackle some of the most common and challenging questions surrounding the uterine lining and embryo transfer. Dr. Amy Harris joins us to discuss what she would do for a patient with fluid in the endometrial cavity, including possible causes, recommended evaluation, and treatment options. We review why fluid often resolves after progesterone exposure, when aspiration before embryo transfer may be considered, and how different stimulation protocols can impact outcomes. We discuss recurrent implantation failure after the transfer of multiple euploid embryos in the setting of a thin endometrium. We discuss potential causes of a thinning uterine lining, including hormonal abnormalities, hypothalamic amenorrhea, and Asherman syndrome. Strategies such as changing endometrial preparation protocols, reassessing thyroid and prolactin levels, and allowing the uterus time to recover without medication exposure. We review treatment options for uterine scar tissue and discuss whether programmed or modified natural frozen embryo transfer cycles may offer advantages in specific situations. Finally, we address the question of transferring two embryos at once after a prior cesarean delivery. We discuss the risks of twins and higher-order multiple pregnancies, including prematurity, neonatal intensive care admissions, pregnancy complications, and the emotional and financial impact on families. We also explore whether vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC) may be an option for some patients planning future pregnancies. Can fluid in the uterus prevent embryo implantation? What causes a thin endometrial lining? How is Asherman syndrome treated? Should patients choose a programmed or modified natural transfer cycle? Is transferring two embryos ever worth the risk? Join us as we answer these important listener questions. This podcast was sponsored by US Fertility. 

In this "Mailbag" edition of the Healthful Woman podcast, Dr. Nathan Fox answers listener questions covering a range of women's health and obstetric topics. He addresses questions about chorioamnionitis found on placental pathology, returning to fertility after long-term Mirena IUD use, the history and current practice of episiotomies, and NICU level considerations for a planned VBAC delivery. The episode wraps up with a thorough discussion of Asherman's syndrome, including its causes, diagnosis, treatment via hysteroscopy, and implications for future fertility.

This episode is sponsored by Hiya Health, Factor Meals, Ladder, & ASPCA Pet Insurance. Hiya Health: Get 50% off your first order of Hiya's clean kids vitamins and new Kids Daily Growth + Protein at https://hiyahealth.com/UNPLANNED—this deal is not available on their regular website. Factor Meals: Head to https://factormeals.com/unplanned50off and use code UNPLANNED50OFF to get 50% off and free daily greens per box with new subscription only, while supplies last until 09/27/2026. Ladder: If you have an iPhone, go to https://ladder.fit/UNPLANNED to take a quick quiz and get a free 7-day trial with no credit card required, plus $10 off your first month if you join. ASPCA Pet Insurance: To explore coverage, visit https://www.aspcapetinsurance.com/UNPLANNED Today on Unplanned, we're sharing a huge update on our birth plan. Abby opens up about becoming a VBAC candidate, navigating the risks and emotions that come with it, and why reaching the third trimester feels especially meaningful after our loss. We also talk pregnancy hormones, strange sympathy symptoms, birth prep, AI robots (for some reason), and why we're trading a babymoon for a “nesting moon.” Plus, Matt and Abby take an ultimate pregnancy quiz. Follow The Unplanned Podcast: https://www.instagram.com/unplanned__podcast/ https://www.tiktok.com/@unplanned_podcast Listen to the pod on Spotify/ Apple Podcasts: https://open.spotify.com/show/1ToDA4ufQuWuEgMq07zN6t https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-unplanned-podcast/id1669604504 Follow Matt & Abby: Abby's Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/abbyelizabethoward/ Matt's Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/_matt_howard_/ TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@matt_and_abby Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/mattandabb YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/@MattandAbby Chapters: 01:35 - Travel Diaries 10:33 - 3rd Trimester Struggles 22:28 - Nesting 25:59 - Ultimate Pregnancy Quiz 46:13 - Change in birth plan 01:00:54 - Hypno Birthing 01:04:32 - Pregnancy symptoms 01:08:26 - Sympathy Symptoms Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Alexis is a Type 1 diabetic mom of three boys from Nevada. Her first birth was a 37-week induction due to her diabetes that ended in a vaginal delivery. For her second birth, Alexis was told she needed a cesarean because her baby was expected to be "massive," but after birth, he was perfectly average-sized. In the OR, her providers admitted their prediction was wrong, and Alexis was devastated. Alexis was determined more than ever to educate herself and advocate hard for her next birth.During her third pregnancy, Alexis navigated polyhydramnios, multiple provider changes, and concerns about possible fetal heart abnormalities that ultimately turned out to be no issue after birth. But even with these challenges, still advocated and achieved her unmedicated VBAC. Her labor ended with a shoulder dystocia with her baby having a broken arm, but with a smooth recovery. Alexis shares how TVL, research, informed decision-making, educating her support team, and using the B.R.A.I.N. acronym helped her throughout her pregnancy and birth journey.Note from Alexis: “There was never a real explanation as to why they suspected he had ARSA, the increased velocity, or the small hole in utero. And as a tip for anyone in labor, honey is considered a clear liquid, and the cheap honey bears at Walmart are great during labor! I took swigs off of it during labor for energy and to keep my blood sugar up. The midwife came to check on me at one point mid-swig and said that was the first time she had seen that in her 25 years. I couldn't find honey sticks locally for a reasonable price, but I could find local honey bears.”Keywords: VBAC, Type 1 diabetes, juvenile diabetes, induction, 37-week induction, scheduled cesarean, suspected macrosomia, big baby, polyhydramnios, unmedicated VBAC, shoulder dystocia, broken humerus, birth injury, fetal heart concerns, ARSA, informed consent, B.R.A.I.N., VBAC prepNatural Birth for Type 1 Diabetics Facebook GroupT1D Pregnancy Course Needed Website: Code TVL for 20% OffThe Ultimate VBAC Prep Course for ParentsOnline VBAC Doula TrainingAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Allison Parker is a pelvic floor physical therapist and mom of two from South Carolina, joining us today to share her journey to an induced VBAC after a cesarean for breech presentation. She talks about navigating a failed ECV, postpartum hemorrhage, postpartum preeclampsia, and her tough second pregnancy which ultimately led to an induction at 37 weeks due to preeclampsia. Allison tells us what helped her feel prepared, including finding a supportive provider, hiring a doula, hearing other women's stories on The VBAC Link (!), and learning to pivot when things had to change.As both a VBAC mom and pelvic floor PT, Allison also shares practical advice for preparing for birth and recovering postpartum. We discuss perineal massage, C-section scar massage, open glottis pushing vs. when to use closed glottis pushing, pelvic floor recovery, healing after a 3rd degree tear, and why the mental and emotional preparation are just as important as the physical. Keywords: VBAC, induced VBAC, breech, ECV, preeclampsia, postpartum preeclampsia, postpartum hemorrhage, pelvic floor physical therapy, 3rd degree tear, pelvic floor recovery, vaginal recovery, C-section recovery, scar massage, perineal massage, epidural VBAC, supportive provider, doulaRome Physical TherapyNeeded Website: Code TVL for 20% OffThe Ultimate VBAC Prep Course for ParentsOnline VBAC Doula TrainingAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands