The VBAC Link Blog

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Top 10 Podcast Episodes to Listen to While Preparing for Your VBAC
Top 10 Podcast Episodes to Listen to While Preparing for Your VBAC
Take it from us, a team of VBAC moms, doulas and expert educators in the birthing space, preparing for a VBAC is no walk in the park. We know because... Read more...
Finding the best prenatal nutrition + best prenatal brand
Nutrition for my VBAC: Finding my favorite prenatal brand & what I wish I knew during pregnancy
When I was pregnant and planning my VBAC years ago, I thought taking a prenatal vitamin meant I was fully covering my nutritional needs. I assumed all prenatals were created... Read more...
Why Education Matters for Your VBAC + Where to Start
Why Education Matters for Your VBAC + Where to Start
If this is the very first time you’re visiting The VBAC Link, welcome! We’re so glad you found us. If you remember nothing else from our arsenal of resources, hear... Read more...
Vaginal Birth After Myomectomy: Evidence, Options and Real Stories
Vaginal Birth After Myomectomy: Evidence, Options and Real Stories
Many women who have had a myomectomy are told that a vaginal birth just isn’t an option. Often, that message comes without a conversation about what kind of myomectomy they had, what the evidence... Read more...
Postpartum Tips for the Holidays: Surviving (and maybe even enjoying) the Season
Postpartum Tips for the Holidays: Surviving (and maybe even enjoying) the Season
The holidays are supposed to be the most wonderful time of the year, right? But when you’re freshly postpartum, whether it’s days, weeks or even months after birth, “wonderful” can also... Read more...
Scared of Giving Birth? Here’s How to Work Through Your Fears
Scared of Giving Birth? Here’s How to Work Through Your Fears
If you are scared of giving birth, you are not alone. It’s normal to be nervous about having a baby, and it can also be normal to have deeper fears... Read more...
2024 HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE
2024 HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE
t’s the most wonderful time of the year! This time is all about family, traditions and holiday spirit. And in honor of the season of gift-giving, we lined up the top... Read more...
The Must-Know: Operative Vaginal Delivery
The Must-Know: Operative Vaginal Delivery
Attempting a vaginal delivery, particularly after a previous C-section, is something many expectant parents hope to do. Finding evidence-backed VBAC facts can be tough. While it’s overwhelming (and nearly impossible) to deep... Read more...
VBAC After 40 Weeks: Is it Safe to Go Past Your Due Date?
VBAC After 40 Weeks: Is it Safe to Go Past Your Due Date?
Approaching or going past your due date can feel like an unsteady place to be. Comments from family & friends, recommendations (or ultimatums) from your provider can make you feel... Read more...
Considering a Midwife for Your VBAC? Here’s What to Know
Considering a Midwife for Your VBAC? Here’s What to Know
Over the years, C-section rates in the United States have climbed to 32.3% according to the CDC. As more and more people are having Cesarean births, vaginal birth after Cesarean is... Read more...
Why Failure to Progress in Labor is Usually Failure to Wait
Why Failure to Progress in Labor is Usually Failure to Wait
There are many different reasons why women have C-sections, and there can even be multiple reasons from each birth. Some reasons include having a large baby, baby’s position, fetal distress,... Read more...
Getting Pregnant After C-Section: How Long Should You Wait?
Getting Pregnant After C-Section: How Long Should You Wait?
How long should you wait to get pregnant after a C-section? Getting pregnant after having a C-section can be a complicated decision. Knowing when you can start trying, making a VBAC... Read more...
4 Essential Nutrients to Tackle Mom Brain
4 Essential Nutrients to Tackle Mom Brain
I’ll be honest,  I used to think “mom brain” was just a cute excuse for forgetting why I walked into a room. Then I actually became a mom. And suddenly... Read more...
Is VBAC after 3 C-Sections Safe (and Right for You)?
Is VBAC after 3 C-Sections Safe (and Right for You)?
Wondering if it’s possible and safe to have a vaginal birth after three C-sections? VBAC after three C-sections (VBA3C) is possible, and studies show very little increased risk of serious... Read more...
The Ultimate VBAC Checklist
The Ultimate VBAC Checklist
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... Read more...
Cesarean Awareness: Supporting Informed Choices, Challenging Misconceptions, and Honoring All Births
Cesarean Awareness: Supporting Informed Choices, Challenging Misconceptions, and Honoring All Births
Raising awareness about cesarean births is essential for educating, empowering, and supporting families through the process. As cesarean delivery rates continue to rise worldwide, it’s important to encourage open, inclusive dialogue that... Read more...
From C-Section to Confident: 6 Things That Helped Me Feel Strong Again
From C-Section to Confident: 6 Things That Helped Me Feel Strong Again
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... Read more...
Partnering through postpartum: Sharing the load after a VBAC
Partnering through postpartum: Sharing the load after a VBAC
The postpartum period is a beautiful yet challenging time for any family, and for VBAC moms, recovery can be especially demanding. A vaginal birth after cesarean requires physical healing, emotional... Read more...
5 Ways to Simplify Postpartum Recovery After a VBAC
5 Ways to Simplify Postpartum Recovery After a VBAC
Recovering from a VBAC is no small feat. It’s an incredible achievement—one that demands patience, grace and a whole lot of support. As a mom who’s been there, I know... Read more...
Traveling for Your VBAC: Dos & Don’ts
Traveling for Your VBAC: Dos & Don’ts
In an ideal world, VBAC moms would have access to providers and birth teams that support their birth choices and give them confidence to pursue the births they desire. Unfortunately,... Read more...
9 VBAC Prep Essentials Worth Every Penny
9 VBAC Prep Essentials Worth Every Penny
Preparing for your VBAC journey is… well, it’s a lot of things. Exciting and fun but also maybe lonely and definitely overwhelming. Not only is there a lack of good... Read more...
How to navigate VBAC and many limiting healthcare system policies & barriers 2
How to navigate VBAC and many limiting healthcare system policies & barriers 2
How often have many of us heard: “It’s hospital policy. I’m sorry, that’s just our policy. Well, that’s the policy. I understand, but our policy doesn’t allow that.” How many... Read more...
3 Newborn Realities No One Warns You About (and how Coterie can help!)
3 Newborn Realities No One Warns You About (and how Coterie can help!)
Becoming a mom after a VBAC is a powerful and transformative experience, but it can also bring its own set of challenges. While the journey to VBAC is often filled... Read more...
Fear Release and Advocacy: Why it’s important
Fear Release and Advocacy: Why it’s important
We are so grateful to have a special friend, Ali Levine as a guest writer for this blog. Ali is a Certified Trauma-Informed Breathwork Coach. We know you’ll love reading... Read more...
Planning Your Maternal Assisted Cesarean
Planning Your Maternal Assisted Cesarean
“You’re just going to schedule another C-section, right?”  I can’t count the number of times family and friends asked me this during my second pregnancy. Before I even had a... Read more...
VBAC Nutrition for Fertility, Pregnancy and Postpartum Explained
VBAC Nutrition for Fertility, Pregnancy and Postpartum Explained
There’s no denying it – what we consume has a major impact on our ability to conceive, carry, and deliver a baby as well as heal from birth and support... Read more...
Why Babies Go Breech and 5 Things You Can Do About It
Why Babies Go Breech and 5 Things You Can Do About It
Babies are typically head down in the mother’s womb; however, sometimes they flip with their head up and their bum down. There are three different types of breech positions: Frank: This... Read more...
Is a doula right for you?
Is a doula right for you?
It’s no secret… I LOVE doulas. 💙 I am a certified + practicing doula and a total believer in the benefits doulas offer the birth experience. I even co-created a course specifically... Read more...
Cervical Exams: Everything you need to know
Cervical Exams: Everything you need to know
I am consistently surprised when I meet with doula clients who don’t know that having a cervical exam is their choice! Although it’s become fairly standard, especially for those working with... Read more...
We’re VBAC Moms
We’re VBAC Moms
Hey, Women of Strength… we see you. We know that planning a VBAC is an especially unique journey, and our goal is to make sure you feel educated, empowered and... Read more...
Preparing for Your VBAC: 5 things to do before you’re pregnant
Preparing for Your VBAC: 5 things to do before you’re pregnant
I remember it clearly – that point after my second c-section when I realized I was ready to do it again. I had processed a lot of what happened during... Read more...
Recovering from a cesarean birth? Start here!
Recovering from a cesarean birth? Start here!
Every VBAC story begins with a cesarean. Whether it was planned or not, the feelings that follow can be complex. Odds are, if you’re reading this, you might be in... Read more...
Falling For Your Prenatal: Why Quality Matters More Than Ever
Falling For Your Prenatal: Why Quality Matters More Than Ever
Falling For Your Prenatal: When you’re expecting, your body is working overtime to nurture new life. It’s no wonder that choosing the right prenatal vitamin is one of the most important... Read more...
Is the VBAC Success Calculator Accurate?
Is the VBAC Success Calculator Accurate?
If you are planning your VBAC, it’s likely you’ve heard of a VBAC calculator. Especially in the last few years, the idea of a VBAC calculator is a hot topic... Read more...
How to Dress Your Summer Bump + Where to Shop
How to Dress Your Summer Bump + Where to Shop
If you’re like many pregnant mamas, you might consider summer the most difficult season to be pregnant. Don’t get me wrong… all year long, we romanticize this time of year,... Read more...
Creating Your Ideal Hospital VBAC Environment
Creating Your Ideal Hospital VBAC Environment
Picture this: You’ve found a supportive provider, built your dream birth team, done your research and educated yourself. You’ve decided on a hospital birth and are so ready for your VBAC. You’re... Read more...
Most Frequently Asked VBAC Questions: Answered
Most Frequently Asked VBAC Questions: Answered
This post needs very little introduction because I know you’re eager to get right to the good stuff. Here you’ll find a list of the questions we get asked the most... Read more...
Can You Have a VBAC with Twins?
Can You Have a VBAC with Twins?
It is not uncommon for a twin pregnancy to be automatically scheduled for a Cesarean birth. But, what do you do if you have already had a Cesarean and want... Read more...
Getting Your VBAC: How to Avoid Another C-Section
Getting Your VBAC: How to Avoid Another C-Section
We share a lot of content about preparing for your VBAC – educating yourself, finding the right provider, using products that will support you and so much more – but when it really comes... Read more...
5 Tips for When Pregnancy Just Seems to Last Forever
5 Tips for When Pregnancy Just Seems to Last Forever
Can I just say it? As amazingly miraculous as it is, being pregnant is HARD!! It’s physically, emotionally and mentally exhausting, and when we get to those final days… it... Read more...
C-Section Scar Massage: Why it’s important and how to do it
C-Section Scar Massage: Why it’s important and how to do it
Whether you’re days out of your first c-section, preparing for your VBAC or are several years postpartum with all of your babies… your c-section scar is your forever companion. It’s... Read more...
Red Raspberry Leaf Tea: Evidence Explained
Red Raspberry Leaf Tea: Evidence Explained
Perhaps one of the most common pregnancy recommendations, especially for those desiring spontaneous labor and natural birth, is drinking red raspberry leaf tea (RRLT). We all know how these suggestions... Read more...
Your VBAC Guide to Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy
Your VBAC Guide to Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy
As I’ve become more and more familiar with the birth world, I’m beginning to feel like there are just so many boxes to check as we prepare for birth and... Read more...
Our VBAC Baby Registry Must-Haves
Our VBAC Baby Registry Must-Haves
Planning for your VBAC and the birth of your dreams can feel like a full-time job. You might be wondering what else you really need… “don’t we have all of the... Read more...
Adding a Sibling Doula to Your VBAC Birth Team: Who they are and how to hire them
Adding a Sibling Doula to Your VBAC Birth Team: Who they are and how to hire them
The planning that goes into a VBAC is extensive, I’ve been there. You’re finding the right provider and hiring a birth doula, maybe a postpartum doula, too. You’re scheduling extra care appointments like... Read more...
Can Taking TUMS During Labor Help You Get Your VBAC?
Can Taking TUMS During Labor Help You Get Your VBAC?
Call them what you want – TUMS, Alka-Seltzer, Rolaids – we’re talking about antacids made from calcium carbonate. These chalky little over-the-counter tablets are chewed up and swallowed to help... Read more...
Your VBAC Labor Guide: What to do when…
Your VBAC Labor Guide: What to do when…
No matter how much preparation I did for my two VBA2C labors, I remember getting to this point with each of them where I felt like “what do I do... Read more...
VBAC with Preeclampsia: A guide to your birth options
VBAC with Preeclampsia: A guide to your birth options
Somewhere along your pregnancy or VBAC journey, you’ve likely heard of something called preeclampsia (or pre-e). Chances are you’ve read about it in your pregnancy app, maybe your provider has... Read more...
Your VBAC Guide to The VBAC Link Offered Resources: Podcast, Education & More
Your VBAC Guide to The VBAC Link Offered Resources: Podcast, Education & More
We know that the journey to VBAC can be confusing, overwhelming and sometimes leaving you to feel like you’re spinning in circles trying to find the right answers. And that’s... Read more...
Advanced VBAC Doula Course: Unfiltered Reviews
Advanced VBAC Doula Course: Unfiltered Reviews
It’s no secret that here at The VBAC Link, we love doulas! Some of us are doulas ourselves, some have hired doulas for our own births and all of us have... Read more...