VBAC Facts® - Podcast Details

Shows

Australian VBAC StoriesEP31 - Tina’s VBAC of MCDA twins (empowerment, self-advocacy, midwife, NICU, preterm birth, COVID, general anaesthetic caesarean, vacuum birth, breastfeeding establishment in NICU)In this moving episode, we follow Tina’s powerful VBAC journey — from becoming a young mum at 21 and experiencing a caesarean under general anaesthetic, to reclaiming her birthing power with the vaginal birth of her MCDA twins.Tina opens up about the heartbreak of missing her son’s first moments, the emotional toll of separation and how that experience shaped her path to becoming a midwife. She takes us through her next pregnancy — the shock of conceiving twins, the challenges of preterm labour and navigating birth during the height of COVID.Against the odds, Tina chose a...2025-07-201h 42

Australian VBAC StoriesEP30 - Angela's 2VBACs (preterm labour, APH, infant loss, birth after loss, NICU, induction, artificial rupture of membranes, hypertension, reduced movements autonomy, advocacy, midwife)It is with deep reverence and gratitude that we share Angela's birth stories with you. Midwife Angela shares her powerful journey through three profoundly different births. Her story begins with the premature birth of her first son, Colton, at just 26 weeks following an antepartum haemorrhage and preterm premature rupture of membranes. Angela recounts the emotional and clinical intensity of undergoing a caesarean, navigating the heartbreak of NICU life and the following devastating decision to say goodbye to her baby boy after 22 days on life support. She shares how her midwifery brain helped her to slow down, appreciate the birth...2025-07-031h 07

The VBAC Facts® Podcast with Jen KamelE18 "I Never Thought a 20-Week Abortion Ban Would Impact Me" with Megan KlingNever thought you would have an abortion? That's exactly what Wisconsin mom and maternal health advocate Megan Kling believed until she became pregnant with her third much wanted and planned child.Megan courageously shares her deeply personal story of terminating two pregnancies for medical reasons. She discusses the profound impact of abortion restrictions, the challenges of navigating medical insurance, and the importance of advocating for safer maternal healthcare. Megan's story highlights the complexities behind abortion legislation, its real-life effects on everyday moms, the inadequacy of exceptions for the life of the mother, and how, if you can...2025-06-271h 27

Australian VBAC StoriesEP29 - Jen's 2VBACs (caesarean post vaginal birth, missed miscarriage, retained placenta, instrumental birth, shoulder dystocia, COVID, homebirth transfer, hyperfertility, intuition, healing)In this deeply moving and multifaceted episode, we sit down with Jen to explore her extraordinary journey through six births and five miscarriages, with a diagnosis of hyperfertility. Jen shares openly and honestly about her experiences, the medical complexities and the fierce resilience that led to her reclaiming her birth and deeply trusting her intuition, shaping her motherhood story. Jen leads us through her first two births, both vaginal births with doula support, and includes a run over of some of the complexities she experienced (retained placenta in her first birth and a snapped cord in her...2025-06-262h 16

The VBAC Facts® Podcast with Jen KamelE17 An Attorney's Fight to Challenge Rights Violations & Illegal Maternal Care Practices with Hermine Hayes-KleinConfusion and fear over lawsuits drives health care in the US and even more so within obstetrics and midwifery. In the midst of defensive medicine as default, many clinicians miss the one decision that provides ultimate litigation protection. Hermine Hayes-Klein is single handedly changing the landscape relative to litigation within maternal health care. An informed consent expert and international civil and human rights attorney, she specializes in the abuse of women and birthing people by the maternal health system. We will discuss:the cognitive disconnect among healthcare providers regarding informed consent during pregnancy and...2025-06-131h 02

Australian VBAC StoriesEP28 - Freyja's VBAC (insulin dependent gestational diabetes, induction, big baby VBAC, macrosomia, birth during COVID, tongue tie, autonomy, empowerment, self-advocacy)In this beautiful episode we get the opportunity to listen to Freyja's 2 incredible birth stories! Listen in to hear a beautiful recount and reflection around the births of her two gorgeous, big baby boys!Her first birth was a difficult one, occurring amongst floods and during COVID and involving an induction due to insulin dependent gestational diabetes and suspected big baby. Ultimately Freyjas' first birth resulted in a caesarean due to 'failure to progress' at 7cm dilation. Freyja recounts her feelings surrounding her birth and all of the hardship in her community at the time of her...2025-06-081h 29

The VBAC Facts® Podcast with Jen KamelE16 "Hospitals Cannot Legally Enforce VBAC Bans" and Other Juicy Advocacy Tidbits with Barbara Stratton plus Next VBAC Facts® Training, Reader Stories, & TikTok TrapsWant to change hospital policy, VBAC ban, placenta policy, or otherwise? Barbara Stratton is your gal. In this interview, Barbara reflects back on over 20 years of activism and shares her biggest tips to changing hospital policy as well as what first time parents wish they knew. She shares insights on speaking to the media, planning a rally, searching for the perfect VBAC plaintiff as well as the secret to activism. The discussion also includes: how Medicare/Medicaid said hospitals cannot enforce VBAC bans, caution for hospital based childbirth classes as well as...2025-05-302h 15

Australian VBAC StoriesEP27 - Aimee's 2VBACs (planned homebirth, private midwife, doula, placental abruption, miscarriage, HBAC, waterbirth, cervical lip, surrender)In this very special episode, we hear from our beloved co-host Aimee as she steps into the storyteller's seat to share the deeply personal journeys of her three births - a path woven with loss, healing, and profound transformation.Aimee begins with the unexpected birth of her first baby, Willow - a planned homebirth that turned into an emergency caesarean at 36 weeks due to a placental abruption. She speaks candidly about the grief of losing her envisioned birth, the joy and relief of her daughter’s safe arrival, and her conviction to follow her intuition wh...2025-05-272h 36

The VBAC Facts® Podcast with Jen KamelE15 A Psychologist's Journey Navigating a Hospital VBAC Ban with Dr. Denise Jaimes-Villanueva PsyDWhat do you do when you are pregnant after a cesarean and the only hospital in your community has a VBAC ban? Come hear the story of Dr. Denise Jaimes-Villanueva PsyD of Santa Barbara, California as she shares everything she endured to avoid compulsory surgery. From the challenges around finding a provider in a community where the influence of the hostile VBAC climate permeated to the financial and emotional factors that influenced her decisions, she discusses the journey of processing the grief of her births, what she would do differently, and the lessons she learned along the...2025-05-161h 04

The VBAC Facts® Podcast with Jen KamelE14 An OB Scientist's Caution on the VBAC Calculator and Informed Consent with Dr. Nicholas Rubashkin MD PhDEver use the VBAC calculator? Then you will want to listen to physician scientist and VBAC calculator researcher Dr. Nicholas Rubashkin, MD, PhD, an Associate Professor at UC San Francisco, as he reviews the historical and cultural implications of the VBAC calculator, a tool used to predict vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC) odds. The conversation uncovers how the calculator has propagated racist assumptions that Black and Hispanic bodies are less capable of vaginal birth, the consequences of those assumptions on maternal care, and the problematic "60% threshold." They explore how to shift the conversation from risk-based...2025-05-021h 14

The VBAC Facts® Podcast with Jen KamelE13 Why This OB/GYN Passionately Supports VBAC Access (And You Should Too) with Dr. Chris StroudHeard no one supports VBAC? Simply not true. Join Dr. Chris Stroud OB/GYN of Fort Wayne, Indiana has he considers his 30 year career and shares why offering VBAC is so important to him, including his reasoning for supporting community midwives who attend home and birth center VBAC. We discuss the concept of "acceptable complications," which may provide some insight as to why many OBs in the United States recommend repeat cesareans for everyone regardless of their medical history, their current clinical scenario, or VBAC candidacy. He also shares his vulnerable and authentic reflections on...2025-04-181h 16

The VBAC Facts® Podcast with Jen KamelE12 Jen Kamel's interview on All Things Women's Health with Dr. Chris StroudWhy does VBAC access matter and how does the concept of "acceptable risk" influence how some physicians view cesarean versus VBAC complications? Learn that and more when VBAC Facts® Founder Jen Kamel is interviewed on "All Things Women's Health" with Dr. Chris Stroud. She will share the impact of her births on her life, what it was like to experience a contraction for the first time, why it is so important for people to have access to VBAC after one cesarean, and her favorite VBAC myth. They also discuss recovery from a cesarean v...2025-04-041h 16

True BirthAttempting a VBAC after two Cesarean Births: Episode #173 A short story on a woman contemplating a VBAC after two Cesarean Deliveries. Vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC) after two cesarean deliveries (VBAC-2) is considered a viable option for many women, though it carries certain risks. The success rate for VBAC-2 is approximately 71.1%, which is slightly lower than the success rate for VBAC after one cesarean (VBAC-1). The risk of uterine rupture in VBAC-2 is 1.36%, which is higher compared to VBAC-1 (0.72%). Additionally, the hysterectomy rate for VBAC-2 is 0.55%, compared to 0.19% for VBAC-1. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) supports offering VBAC-2 to women who are appropriate candidates, emphasizing the i...2025-03-2429 min

The VBAC Facts® Podcast with Jen KamelE11 A Community’s 10 Year Fight Against a Hospital VBAC Ban with Anastasia StoneWhat do you do when your local hospital bans vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC) and leads people to believe that their only option there is a repeat cesarean? What about when they start to withhold pain relief to anyone who "insists" on laboring after a cesarean? When this happened in Santa Barbara, California, local activists and mothers took action. Come learn what is possible when you know the facts, know your rights, don't comply and be persistent. It's a lesson from a small beachy town that can be applied to so many other social issues. Sit down with VBAC...2025-03-211h 00

The VBAC Facts® Podcast with Jen KamelE10 A Midwife Attended Hospital VBA2C with Gestational Diabetes and Suspected Big Baby with Laura StimsonLess than 3% of people labor after two cesareans in the US. Laura Stimson was one of those people. After having her first cesarean for twins and an elective repeat cesarean during COVID, she really wanted to experience a vaginal birth after two cesareans (VBA2C). A chance conversation with a midwife at a dinner party opened her eyes to what was possible. She learned that hospital midwives in her area of Downriver Detroit, Michigan attended VBA2C and made her plan. Laura shares with us what she learned along the way as she navigated gestational diabetes and a suspected...2025-03-0743 min

studio VBAC29. Chantal | Wens voor HBAC wordt VBAC in het ziekenhuisIn dit ervaringsverhaal hoor je hoe een oh zo gewenste HBAC een VBAC in het ziekenhuis wordt. Chantal deelt haar ervaring waar ze de regie behoudt over elk keuzemoment gedurende zowel de lange aanloop thuis, als de laatste uren van de bevalling die in het ziekenhuis plaatsvinden. Een ervaring waar ze enorm goed op terugkijkt, met hervonden vertrouwen in een ziekenhuisbevalling door de fijne ondersteuning van het tweedelijns team zorgverleners. Chantal woont met haar gezin in Friesland maar komt oorspronkelijk uit Zuid Afrika. Om deze mooie ervaring zo goed mogelijk te kunnen verwoorden is dit ervaringsverhaal in het Engels. Volg...2025-02-231h 18

The VBAC Facts® Podcast with Jen KamelE9 Navigating Medical Mistrust with Amber Vayo PhD + Alberta, Canada Hospital VBA2C After CPDWhat causes someone to distrust the medical system? What impact does that have on public health? Join Dr. Amber Vayo PhD, a maternal health and politics researcher, as she answers those questions and so much more. Dr. Vayo shares insights on the role of trust, the impact of institutional betrayal, and the significance of listening to women's experiences. The discussion highlights various facets of medical mistrust, the importance of soft skills for clinicians, and how the healthcare system can improve by better addressing grievances. Plus Jen shares a victorious hospital VBA2C story after CPD from Emilie in Alberta...2025-02-2145 min

The VBAC LinkEpisode 379 Lily Wyn's 66-Hour Redemptive Hospital Water Birth VBACLily’s VBAC birth story episode is finally here!!! You know and love her just like we do. She not only manages the social media content here at The VBAC Link but also spends so much time connecting with you personally. She has the biggest heart for VBAC and champions all types of empowered birth.Lily walks us through her experiences with ectopic pregnancy, loss, her traumatic Cesarean, and how she persisted through a 66-hour long labor without an epidural to achieve her hospital water birth VBAC....2025-02-1755 min

Made For Birth; The VBAC Podcast For Birth After Cesarean35- The VBAC Divide: The Truth About Why Some Providers Say Yes and Others Say NoIn today’s episode, we’re diving into the big question: Why do some doctors “allow” VBAC (Vaginal Birth After Cesarean) and others don’t? It’s a topic that can be frustrating and confusing for many expecting moms. While some doctors are fully supportive, others can be downright dismissive of VBAC, and the reasons behind this divide are more complex than you might think.We’ll explore:•How insurance companies, hospital policies, and even the healthcare system impact your ability to access VBAC care.•The truth about how OBs are trained to foc...2025-02-1424 min

The VBAC Facts® Podcast with Jen KamelE8 Vaginal Birth After Two Cesareans (VBA2C): Stories, Evidence, and InsightsIf you think VBA2C is dangerous or no one "allows" them, you would be wrong. Join VBAC Facts® Founder Jen Kamel in this discussion of the feasibility and evidence surrounding VBA2C. Drawing from real-life birth stories, Jen emphasizes the importance of informed decision-making and patient autonomy, psychological implications, and the risks associated with multiple repeat cesareans. The episode also reviews recent studies (including twins after two cesareans!), ethical considerations, and the challenges faced by those seeking VBA2C. Whether you are a parent or a birth professional, this comprehensive discussion offers valuable insights and resources to support i...2025-02-071h 09

The VBAC Facts® Podcast with Jen Kamel40+ VBAC Myths Busted! Plus Hospital VBA2C after Uterine DefectIn this episode of The VBAC Facts® Podcast, host Jen Kamel busts over 40 myths surrounding vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC). Jen highlights critical information about VBAC safety, risks, and the support provided by national health organizations. She addresses common misconceptions about uterine rupture, perinatal and maternal mortality, midwives, and the risks associated with repeat cesareans. The episode features emails from listeners sharing their experiences including a reader who had a hospital vaginal birth after two cesareans and a uterine defect discovered during her first cesarean. Jen emphasizes the importance of informed decision-making, patient autonomy, and the role of evidence-based p...2025-01-2457 min

The VBAC Facts® Podcast with Jen KamelE7 40+ VBAC Myths Busted! Plus Hospital VBA2C After Uterine DefectThere are too many myths about VBAC to count. Good thing we give the top 40 a quick smashing in this episode. VBAC Facts® Founder Jen Kamel highlights critical information about VBAC safety, risks, and the support provided by national health organizations. She addresses common misconceptions about uterine rupture, perinatal and maternal mortality, midwives, and the risks associated with repeat cesareans. The episode features emails from listeners sharing their experiences including a reader who had a hospital vaginal birth after two cesareans and a uterine defect discovered during her first cesarean. Jen emphasizes the importance of informed decision-making, patient autonomy, a...2025-01-2457 min

The VBAC Facts® Podcast with Jen KamelE6 Decoding the VBAC Calculator: Science, Bias, and Decision MakingThink the VBAC calculator is rooted in solid medical evidence? This episode with VBAC Facts® Founder Jen Kamel dives into the accuracy and impact of VBAC calculators. Jen discusses a variety of factors influencing predicted VBAC odds as well as actual VBAC rates, including race, BMI, reason for prior cesarean, bias, provider preference, and VBAC bans. Key research, such as Harris 2019, Nguyen 2020, and most recently Ledbetter 2024, reveal that VBAC calculators often underpredict VBAC odds. Hear lived experiences from readers and the challenges they face with the application of these calculators. Learn more about the strengths and limitations of VBAC c...2025-01-1047 min

The VBAC LinkEpisode 367 Katie's Unmedicated Breech VBACKatie has had a Cesarean (failure to progress), a VBAC, and most recently, an unmedicated breech VBAC!She talks about the power of mom and baby working together during labor. She is 4’10” and attributes so much of her first successful VBAC to movement. Katie’s most recent baby was frank breech throughout her entire pregnancy. After multiple ECV attempts, she exhausted all options to seek out a vaginal breech provider. She was able to work with providers while still advocating for what felt right to her. Tho...2025-01-0639 min

The VBAC Facts® Podcast with Jen KamelE5 Autonomy, Authority, Coercion & Consent: Who Decides in Maternity Care?People are shocked when they learn that the American College of OB/GYN (ACOG) says that women and pregnant people have the final say in medical decision making. Jen Kamel, founder of VBAC Facts®, discusses the principles of informed decision making in the context of vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC) versus repeat cesarean. Emphasizing the ethical obligations in healthcare, Jen explores ACOG's Committee Opinion on respecting a pregnant woman's autonomy and decision-making rights. Real-life testimonials from petite readers who had successful VBACs highlight the possibilities and challenge common misconceptions. The episode also addresses ethical dilemmas, coercion, and the importance o...2024-12-271h 11

Australian VBAC StoriesEP26 - Caitlyn's planned VBAC, repeat caesarean experience (induction, COVID pregnancy, lockdown, NICU, PPA, PPD, Postpartum Rage, short pregnancy interval, cord prolapse, CAT1 emergency caesarean)We’re so excited to bring you this episode with the wonderful Caitlyn, who shares her incredible birth journey and the lessons she's learned along the way. Her story begins with the traumatic birth of her eldest daughter in 2020 during lockdown, which set her on the path to pursue a VBAC with her son. Despite her hopes for a more straightforward, peaceful experience, her son’s birth did not go as planned, as she faced a cord prolapse after her membranes were ruptured, which ultimately resulted in a CAT1 emergency cesarean. While the outcome could have been far m...2024-12-231h 09

The VBAC LinkEpisode 361 VBAC Prep with Meagan & Julie + What do the Facts Say?In this episode, Meagan and Julie tackle hot topics like the VBAC calculator, epidurals, and uterine rupture. What does the evidence actually say? And why do providers give such drastically different statistics from one practice to the next? When you know the facts, you are equipped to take charge of your VBAC journey!VBAC CalculatorACOG: Deciding Between a VBAC and a Repeat CesareanVBAC Calculator Online LibraryEpidural Side EffectsVBA2C PubMed ArticleEvidence Based BirthⓇ: The Evi...2024-12-1643 min

The VBAC Facts® Podcast with Jen KamelE4 The Rules About VBAC (Part 2): A Deep Dive into US VBAC Guidelines with Jen KamelYou might be surprised to read what the US national guidelines actually say about VBAC. Join Jen Kamel, founder & CEO of VBAC Facts®, as she delves deep into the American College of OB/GYN's VBAC guidelines. The episode covers a range of topics including external cephalic version, epidurals, VBAC in rural hospitals, and who makes the ultimate decision regarding mode of birth. Jen provides a detailed analysis of the guidelines and emphasizes informed decision-making, patient autonomy, and the importance of ethical practices in maternal care. She also highlights the role of continuous fetal monitoring, managing complications, and the significance o...2024-12-1346 min

The VBAC Facts® Podcast with Jen KamelE3 The Rules About VBAC (Part 1): A Deep Dive into US VBAC Guidelines with Jen KamelHeard national guidelines don't support VBAC? Well you heard wrong. Join us for a deep dive into the American College of OBGYN's VBAC guidelines. Join VBAC Facts® Founder Jen Kamel as she explains the significance of these guidelines for anyone birthing in the U.S. or working in healthcare. Jen clears up common misconceptions, highlights the difference between uterine rupture and dehiscence, and stresses the importance of informed decision-making. Tune in to learn more about VBAC's risks, benefits, and the role of different factors, such as BMI and induction, in VBAC outcomes.If you have a question o...2024-11-2954 min

The VBAC Facts® Podcast with Jen KamelE1 Coerced Cesareans Struck Down Part 1: The Woman and Attorney Behind Israel’s Landmark Ruling Speaks Out with "Esther" & Tamir TurgalWhat would it feel like to be hunted by the police and social services over your birth choices? "Esther" found out. Join our gripping discussion with Esther and her experience with the Israeli Supreme Court ruling favoring her choice against a compelled repeat cesarean. The conversation with Esther and her attorney Tamir explores deep-seated issues of medical coercion, informed consent, and the ethical dilemmas within the healthcare system. Esther shares her personal journey through multiple pregnancies, miscarriages, and her fight for autonomy over her birthing choices. She recounts her traumatic experiences and the impact they had on her approach...2024-11-1356 min

The VBAC Facts® Podcast with Jen KamelE2 Coerced Cesareans Struck Down Part 2: The Woman Behind Israel’s Landmark Ruling Speaks Out: "Esther" & Tamir TurgalWe continue "Esther's" harrowing story of avoiding a court ordered cesarean. "Esther" navigates an unassisted birth after four prior cesareans amidst intense scrutiny from social and emergency services. Follow her journey through legal battles, hiding from authorities, and ultimately obtaining a landmark ruling from the Israeli Supreme Court that upholds the right to decline a cesarean. Discover the intricate ethical and legal dilemmas surrounding birth autonomy and the resilience required to make one's own medical decisions.00:00 Welcome Back for Part 200:56 Seeking Refuge and Medical Concerns02:04 Engaging with Social Services02:42 "They Are...2024-11-1352 min

VBAC BabesHow to Prepare for a VBAC: with VBAC researcher, author (and VBAC mom) Dr. Hazel KeedleToday we have Dr. Hazel Keedle--VBAC researcher, author, and VBAC mom-- on the show. Hazel had a VBAC with only 13 months since her C-section, and the experience lead her to become a Midwifery researcher and complete a PhD on women's experiences of planning a VBAC in Australia. You are not going to want to miss all of her practical advice on how to advocate for and get your VBAC! This episode covers: Hazel's VBAC journey Short interpregnancy interval Discussion of risks of having a VBAC shortly after having a C-section Working through...2024-11-0650 min

The VBAC LinkEpisode 348 Rebekah's Birth Center VBAC After an Unexpected Breech CesareanRebekah’s first Cesarean was a birth center transfer after her baby boy unexpectedly flipped breech during labor. Though she was confident in her decision to consent to a Cesarean, she was devastated and left with a lot to process. Right away, Rebekah’s midwives instilled confidence that she was a great VBAC candidate and introduced her to The VBAC Link. Rebekah thoroughly researched and prepped for her VBAC knowing it was the path she wanted to take. She decided to stay with the same birth center as she felt so loved and supported by th...2024-10-301h 03

Ask the Doulas PodcastAll about Vaginal Birth After Cesarean (VBAC) with Meagan Heaton, CEO of The VBAC Link.Send us a textKristin Revere and Meagan Heaton discuss VBAC preparation for families and tips for doulas supporting VBACs in this informative episode of Ask the Doulas. Meagan is the CEO of VBAC Link. Subscribe to our newsletter, check out Kristin’s birth and baby book, and see more about our Doula services & online courses below:https://linktr.ee/goldcoastdoulasKeywords:VBAC | Vaginal Birth After Cesarean | Meagan Heaton | Kristin Revere | The VBAC Link | VBAC Preparation | Doula Support for VBAC | Birth After Cesarean | Birt...2024-10-2931 min