We mamas carry a lot. The mental load is real—and when you’re prepping for a VBAC, it only gets heavier. One thing our team has found helpful? Thinking through birth and postpartum care ahead of time. It can free up precious mental space during your pregnancy to focus on your upcoming birth.
Here is our ultimate VBAC Checklist of things we either brought to the hospital or had ready to go for home births—and what we recommend to our VBAC mama clients too:
Diapers + Wipes made from natural materials
The last thing you want is your fresh new baby’s skin touching anything rough or toxic.
We love (!!!) Coterie. We only partnered with them after we all found ourselves using them independently and couldn’t go back. They’re soft, clean, and reliable—and they’re giving our community 20% off with code VBAC20.
Colostrum collectors
Starting at 37 weeks, you can express and freeze colostrum so your baby can have that liquid gold right from the start—especially helpful if there’s any delay in your milk coming in after your birth.
We used these containers and kept them stored in a Yeti on the way to the hospital.
VBAC Postpartum essentials
We put together everything you’ll want for your own VBAC recovery right here. Because you deserve to be just as cared for as your baby.
A VBAC Doula
Doulas are a key component for success in achieving your VBAC. Doulas really know birth (click here to find more information on what doulas do). Doulas will let you know what is normal and not, and can help guide you through the birth process and navigate the shifts in the room. Doulas also know the best chiropractors, providers, acupuncturists, and whatever else you need as you get ready for your VBAC. The full list of benefits of having a doula can be found here. The VBAC Link trains and certifies doulas specifically in helping VBAC parents and you can find the list of VBAC-certified doulas here. Feel free to interview a few doulas and find one that seems like they may be a good fit. To help you we have put together a list of interview questions here that you can use while interviewing them.
A birth ball
A birthing ball is essentially a large ball, similar to an exercise or yoga ball, but designed for use during pregnancy, labor, and birth. With a larger size and non-slip material, a birthing ball is more comfortable to sit on and lean over during pregnancy and birth. Birthing ball has many uses during pregnancy and birth (great article about it here) and can even be used to induce labor.
A supportive provider
We talk a lot about providers and how to find them in our How to VBAC course for Parents, but the bottom line is the best things you can do for your chances of having a successful VBAC are finding a VBAC-supportive doctor or midwife, and giving birth in a VBAC supportive and friendly hospital, birth center, or at home with a VBAC supportive provider.
Community
Last but not least, the key to success is community. You may already be a member of our online community (yay to 16,000+ mamas all supporting each other). If not, we hope you join. You will read stories, struggles, and questions of other mamas just like you who are preparing for their VBAC. It is a safe space for voicing fears, working through concerns, and all the support we all need.
Cesarean Awareness: Supporting Informed Choices, Challenging Misconceptions, and Honoring All Births