After my c-section, I carried more than just a scar on my belly—I carried the weight of disappointment, confusion, and a shaken sense of trust in my body. Like so many moms, I had to work through not just the physical recovery of a c-section, but the emotional recovery, too. But what I want to share today is the truth that has carried me from that season to where I am now: I am strong. My body is powerful. It never failed me.

That confidence didn’t come overnight. It came through choices—some big, some small—that helped me take back my power and fall in love with my body again.

Processing My C-Section Story

One of the first and most important things I did was begin working with a therapist who specialized in birth trauma. Giving myself permission to grieve my birth experience was essential to moving forward. My therapist helped me unpack what happened during my c-section, validate how I felt, and reframe the experience without shame. That emotional healing laid the foundation for everything else that came after.

Prioritizing My Body’s Healing

Alongside therapy, I also saw a pelvic floor physical therapist. I learned how deeply connected scar tissue is to our physical and emotional well-being. My PT helped me address tightness around my c-section incision, regain core strength, and reconnect with my body. Scar mobilization and pelvic alignment work gave me back a sense of ownership over my recovery—and it was truly life-changing.

Rebuilding My Strength Through Movement

Somewhere in that healing journey, I fell in love with movement again. Exercise stopped being about “getting my body back” and started being about giving back to my body. I felt strong. Capable. Connected. And eventually… I became a certified SPENGA instructor! Now, I get to support other moms in feeling strong, seen, and loved through movement—whether they’ve had a c-section or not.

Hydration became a huge part of my routine as I got deeper into fitness. Long SPENGA sessions require real stamina. That’s why I reach for Needed’s Hydration Support daily. Hydration isn’t just about drinking water—your body loses electrolytes when you sweat. Needed’s Hydration Support has thoughtfully balanced electrolytes and is sweetened with real fruit. It has none of the added ingredients I don’t want, such as artificial colors and flavors. I genuinely feel the difference when I take it.

Nourishing Myself With Intention

I also took charge of my nutritional recovery. Even as a busy mom, I didn’t want to skip out on supporting myself—especially as my body prepared for another pregnancy. I chose Needed’s Prenatal Multi because it was the only one that made me feel confident I was getting everything I needed (pun intended).

I also added Needed’s Collagen Protein to my smoothies and snacks—something that supported my tissue healing and gave me a boost in workouts and postpartum recovery. These weren’t just supplements; they were part of the mindset shift where I finally began to treat myself like someone worth prioritizing again.

Learning, Listening & Preparing

As I started thinking about another birth, I knew I wanted to feel empowered with knowledge. I began listening to The VBAC Link Podcast—stories from other VBAC moms that reminded me I wasn’t alone. I heard people speak the exact fears and hopes I was holding—and share how they navigated them.

I also enrolled in the How to VBAC Course, which gave me the evidence-based tools I needed to feel informed, prepared, and ready to advocate for myself in any birth space. That education truly shifted the way I approached birth—it gave me confidence rooted in facts, not fear.

Finding the Right Provider

And then, I met my incredible midwife, Paige. I didn’t find her until my late first trimester, but finding her felt like the final puzzle piece. She didn’t just support my desire for a VBAC—she believed in it with me. Every appointment, she reminded me of my strength, affirmed my right to informed consent and informed refusal, and never once made me feel like I had to fight for my birth.

Hear from Paige Boran, CNM on Episode 342 on Apple or Spotify!

From Scar to Strength

I’m not the same person I was after my C-section—and I’m grateful for that. The path to confidence wasn’t linear, and it wasn’t easy. But it was mine.

To any mom reading this who is still in that space of healing and processing: I see you. You are strong. You are worthy of healing. And no matter what your story looks like—you are not alone.

You can hear more of my story on Episode 379 on Apple or Spotify!