Hey Mama! If you’ve found your way here, we can assume you are either pregnant or are planning your next pregnancy, following a previous Cesarean birth—how exciting! There’s nothing quite like starting from the beginning, with all of those amazing newborn snuggles, sounds, and smells—oh, that newborn smell!
Why I am here and who I am:
Hey mama, I am Trish— AKA Labor Nurse Mama. I am a labor and delivery nurse with over 15 years of high-risk OB experience. I am also a mama to 7 kids and have given birth to 6. This means I am quite familiar with the postpartum period and how to navigate it. I am the online birth class educator for Calm Labor Confident Birth and The VBAC Lab birth classes and the mama expert inside our Calm Mama Society a pregnancy & postpartum membership community! I am passionate about your birth and motherhood journey! You can find me over on IG teaching over 230k mamas daily. I am passionate about your birth and motherhood journey!
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But let’s be honest, pregnancy after a previous belly birth has the potential to bring along a rollercoaster of emotions!
“Should I try for a vaginal birth, or plan my c-section this time around?”
“Is a VBAC even safe? And does my provider support that?”
“I’m still struggling to be at peace with my c-section and past birth trauma!”
“What if I try for a vaginal birth and it doesn’t happen? Will I feel disappointed?”
“I want a VBAC so bad–now how do I make sure I’m prepared for birth?!”
It’s a lot to process for both you and your partner!
There’s no question that cesarean births have the potential to be incredible birthing experiences (and Mama, I hope it was!), but it is absolutely OK if you decide that’s not what you want for your next birth. If you’re longing for a vaginal birth and wondering if it’s a possibility for you, the answer is most likely yes!
According to AmericanPregnancy.com, 90% of women who have previously had a cesarean section will be eligible to have a vaginal birth after a cesarean! In fact, ACOG released a statement back in 2010 saying that VBACs are both a “safe and an appropriate choice for most women.” Woohoo!
This is AMAZING news for anyone who longs to have a VBAC!
But it also begs the question: Why aren’t more women attempting a vaginal birth after a cesarean birth? Recent data shows that only 17% of women who had previously had a c-section achieved a vaginal birth despite such a high eligibility rate. What gives?!
While limitations when it comes to choosing a provider can definitely play a role in this decision for many families, a huge roadblock is usually a mental one: “Can I actually do this?”
And Mama, the answer is YES—you can do this! And The VBAC Lab will help you get there. (opens again August 11th)
“But wait, I’ve already had a baby. Do I really need to take another birth class?”
Totally hear you! You’ve brought a baby into this world before and have a feel for what’s going to go down, so maybe you’re thinking all that’s left to do is re-download that contraction timer app. While a VBAC is absolutely a safe, natural, and attainable goal, it’s also one that will require a little bit of preparation in order to make it happen! Here’s why completing a VBAC birth class specifically intended for VBAC Mamas is an absolute must-do when considering a vaginal birth after a cesarean.
Understanding Your Options
OB/GYN or Midwife?
Is there a higher risk one way or the other when attempting a VBAC?
Which provider aligns more with your feelings and philosophy when it comes to birthing your baby?
What questions should you ask when making the decision?
What factors make you personally feel safe vs. anxious?
How should you choose who assists in your labor and attends your birth?
Ahh! There’s definitely a lot to think about when it comes to planning out your VBAC! The VBAC Lab is a one-stop-shop for helping you really understand the options you have and making sure you have a well-rounded understanding of what your birth may look like under each type of care.
Ultimately it’s your call on what route you take, but having a thorough understanding of your options will help you feel more comfortable, more prepared and ensure you have an empowering birth experience! This is why we created this unique online VBAC birth class.
Learn tips for preparing your body for birth
OK Mama, so maybe this isn’t your first rodeo—or second, or third, or fourth! You may remember your breathing pattern, your pain coping mechanisms and what helps you ride the wave of a contraction, but is there anything you can do to increase the odds of a successful VBAC?
There is!
The VBAC Lab will walk you through the best exercises and stretches to prepare your body for a vaginal birth. In addition to physical activity, there’s a handful of other natural ways that you can help your body be in tip-top shape for baby’s grand arrival!
Create a mental game plan for your labor
One of the biggest roadblocks that could keep you from having the birth you desire are your own thoughts!
Self-doubt, negative thoughts, and the fear of not having things go as planned are powerful enough to take you off course if you’re not careful to show them who’s boss. Labor is such a mental game, as you know, and VBAC labor is even more so.
Taking a birth course specifically designed for VBAC Mamas is key in learning to conquer those thoughts and not allow them to meddle in your birth plan! In this VBAC birth class, you will learn to call out the limiting beliefs that stem from past disappointment or trauma, and redirect that energy to help you turn them into the fuel that drives you to the finish line!
With exercises that become action steps, you can create a strategy that stops negativity in their track. No bad vibes allowed here!
Understand what you need to be aware of when attempting a VBAC
While VBACs have been deemed safe for the majority of women, there is still a small level of risk that comes with attempting a vaginal delivery after a previous cesarean birth.
In the VBAC Lab, you will learn the possible risks associated with a VBAC, how to recognize when something may be wrong and how to make sure your concerns are taken seriously by your provider. This is not to scare you, Mama! But it is absolutely in your best interest to be informed. Knowledge is power!
The VBAC Lab , a VBAC birth class that’s one of a kind in that it will also help you identify common misconceptions regarding VBACs, like when your provider says baby is “too big” or you’ve gone past your “due date”. Nope! Nuh-uh! Full stop!
The VBAC Lab gives you the key facts for shutting down these common roadblocks and will empower you with the tools you need to be your own advocate. No stress, Mama, you’re covered!
Prepare for what to do if things don’t go as you hoped
While we do not want to dwell on the “what ifs”, it’s important to be prepared in the event that you need to shift course to keep you and baby safe. Deep breaths, Mama!
In the VBAC Lab, you will have the chance to make a “just in case” plan in case a repeat cesarean becomes needed. The course will walk you through the options available to you in order to have a “Gentle Cesarean” and how you can still have a beautiful, empowered birth if the baby needs to arrive via belly birth. Just remember, by taking a birth course like The VBAC Lab, you are doing so much to give yourself the best chance at an empowered VBAC!
Birth is such an emotional experience, especially if your birth didn’t go as you imagined. With the U.S. cesarean birth rate at a high 32%, it’s safe to say that there are many women who have walked in your shoes. Please hear these words, Mama: You are not alone!
The idea of a VBAC is so redeeming for some women, but it can be a little bit scary for others. The best way to combat feelings of fear is through education and preparation! Taking a birth class that focuses specifically on the goal of a vaginal birth after a cesarean section is an amazing way to create an empowering birth experience!
The VBAC Lab is the only comprehensive VBAC birth class created by a birthing professional who focuses on mindset shifts and empowering education, as well as how to navigate a vaginal birth.
It is absolutely a one-stop course that is sure to leave you feeling knowledgeable and empowered.
Enroll in The VBAC Lab today and own your VBAC, Mama!
I am cheering you on always!
