Embarking on the journey to conceive your VBAC (Vaginal Birth After Cesarean) baby can be both exhilarating and daunting, especially if you’ve encountered challenges in your fertility journey before. We hear questions about Trying to Conceive (TTC) often and always want to support our community in their questions! 

As I reflect on my path to motherhood, marked by a miscarriage and an ectopic pregnancy, I’ve come to appreciate that for many of us, trying to get pregnant takes work! Pregnancy was something I expected to come easily for me but after my losses, I learned a lot about fertility and supporting my body’s ability to get pregnant. Today, I’m excited to share insights and tips from my experiences, both with TTC for the first time and TTC for baby #2, aimed at empowering mothers preparing to try for their VBAC baby!

1. Start with Nutrition:

After navigating the ups and downs of fertility, I realized the pivotal role nutrition plays in conception. This time around, as I prepare for baby number two and my VBAC, I’ve made nutrition a cornerstone of my TTC (Trying to Conceive) journey. Needed’s comprehensive product line, including their Sperm Support+ for men and Egg Quality Support supplement for women, can be instrumental in optimizing your fertility potential. Our VBAC mamas get 20% off with code VBAC20 on thisisneeded.com.

Consider this about TTC nutrition:

• Incorporate Needed’s Fertility Support Plan into your daily regimen to support overall reproductive health.
• Get your partner started on the Needed Sperm Support+ supplement. Their Sperm Support+ combines targeted and clinically studied ingredients – pre and probiotics, antioxidants, and botanicals – for a whole-body approach to male fertility.
• Ensure your diet includes plenty of fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, healthy fats, and whole grains to provide your body with essential nutrients like folate, iron, and omega-3 fatty acids that are crucial for fertility. 
• Limit processed foods, caffeine, and alcohol. 
• We cover more about nutrition in this blog post.

2. Strengthen Your Pelvic Floor:

• Consult with a pelvic floor physical therapist to address any weaknesses or concerns before conceiving. Strong pelvic floor muscles are vital for a successful VBAC, helping to support the uterus and facilitate labor.
• Pelvic floor exercises, such as Kegels, are not one-size-fits-all so it’s important to consult a pelvic floor PT for personalized support.

3. Address Birth Trauma:

• Seek support from a qualified therapist specializing in perinatal mental health to process any unresolved emotions or trauma from previous birth experiences. We have an amazing blog on this topic for you to use as a jumping-off point and love ​this video​ that can be used as a birth trauma release.
• Utilize resources like the Birth Story Brave, Reimagined guidebook to navigate through feelings of grief, fear, or anxiety surrounding childbirth, fostering a sense of healing and empowerment.

4. Support Your  Emotional Wellness:

• Prioritize self-care practices such as yoga, meditation, or deep breathing exercises to manage stress and promote emotional well-being during the TTC journey.
• Lean on your support network of family and friends for encouragement and understanding, sharing your thoughts and feelings openly to alleviate any feelings of isolation or anxiety.
• Curate an affirmation to repeat to yourself throughout this journey. Mine was “I am healthy, I am whole, I will get pregnant, and have my VBAC!”

5. Optimize Timing:

• Track your menstrual cycle and ovulation. Don’t just rely on an app. They assume a “perfect” 28-day cycle to predict ovulation and are often incorrect. Even if they’re accurate at predicting when your period shows up, you may ovulate earlier or later than the app says. 
• I recommend using Ovulation Predictor Kits (OPKs). They work by detecting the surge in luteinizing hormone (LH) in a woman’s urine, which typically occurs 12 to 36 hours before ovulation, helping to pinpoint the truly most fertile days of her menstrual cycle.
• Aim to have intercourse during your fertile window, typically around the time of ovulation, to maximize the chances of conception. With the Needed Eqq Quality and Sperm Support+ on board, your body will be optimized for baby-making (enjoy 20% off with code VBAC20)! 

6. Consider Acupuncture:

• After my ectopic pregnancy, I started seeing a Doctor of Eastern Medicine for acupuncture and she totally changed my life. I am a huge believer in acupuncture as a compliment to your TTC journey. Acupuncture can regulate hormonal imbalances, improve blood flow to the reproductive organs, and reduce stress levels, increasing the chances of conception.

7. Seek Medical Guidance:

• Consult with a reproductive endocrinologist or fertility specialist if you encounter challenges conceiving on your own. They can conduct fertility evaluations, identify any underlying issues, and recommend appropriate treatment options, including assisted reproductive technologies like intrauterine insemination (IUI) or in vitro fertilization (IVF).

As you diligently prepare for the arrival of your VBAC baby, remember that each step you take brings you closer to holding those two precious lines on a pregnancy test once again. I can confidently attest to the efficacy of these tips because after using them myself… I’M PREGNANT! With Needed by my side, I’m embracing this journey with renewed optimism and gratitude. Here’s to the incredible journey ahead, filled with hope, resilience, and the joy of planning my own VBAC. I cannot wait to share more of this journey with all of you!