Kari joins us today from Huntsville, Alabama sharing her story of two induced but very different births. Her first was an unplanned Cesarean after a 39-week induction and the second was a medically induced VBAC due to preeclampsia.

With her second baby, Kari saw a new provider who was VBAC supportive, hired a doula, and went to a chiropractor. She also found out that she had a velamentous cord insertion and signs of preeclampsia. Although she was planning for a spontaneous, unmedicated labor, Kari was able to have an empowering experience with Pitocin, an epidural, a delivery, magnesium, a 3rd-degree tear, and a blood transfusion, Kari found deep healing and pride in her VBAC experience.

She and Meagan talk about blood pressure numbers, preeclampsia, the ARRIVE study, how epidurals can help or hinder progress, and navigating the emotions that come when birth unfolds differently than planned. Kari reminds us that birth can be beautiful and healing no matter what twists and turns come about!

The VBAC Link Blog: VBAC With Preeclampsia

ACOG Article: Preeclampsia and Blood Pressure During Pregnancy

Needed Website: Code VBAC for 20% Off

The Ultimate VBAC Prep Course for Parents

Online VBAC Doula Training

“I want to be the light I wish I’d had in my darkest moments.”

As we close out Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month, we are sharing Abbie’s two birth stories and honoring the memory of her firstborn, Rowan. Rowan was born prematurely via emergency Cesarean at 29 weeks during the height of COVID and passed several weeks later in the NICU. Abbie shares what it was like to come home from the hospital without a baby, the weight of overwhelming grief, and how self-care has helped her find healing.

Her second pregnancy was labeled advanced maternal age and considered high risk. With the support of her care team, Abbie went on to have a healthy and empowering VBAC birth at 41 weeks that was filled with joy and deep healing.

Professionally, Abbie is a massage therapist. She shares her tips around things like herbal support, massage therapy, and acupuncture.

Abbie wants Women of Strength to know that acknowledging fear doesn’t mean we have to act on it. “Be afraid when you’re afraid, but do it anyway— whatever it is. Different baby, different birth.”

Needed Website: Code VBAC for 20% Off

The Ultimate VBAC Prep Course for Parents

Online VBAC Doula Training

We are so excited to welcome back our friend, Rachel! She shared her first precipitous VBAC story all the way back in Episode 56. This time, she joins us again to talk about her next two VBACs— one of which included an unexpected diagnosis of gastroschisis and the other surprisingly beginning with PROM (premature rupture of membranes).

Rachel opens up about navigating gastroschisis and how her care team supported her through it. Though she wasn’t sure she’d be able to have another vaginal birth, her provider actually encouraged it as the safest option for baby. Rachel achieved her second VBAC, but had to watch her baby be intubated immediately after birth, hemorrhaged, and was left alone when her husband went to be with their baby. She was thankful for her VBAC, but also deeply traumatized by the scary circumstances.

With her fourth, Rachel decided to give birth in the hospital. She experienced PROM for the first time, back labor with an OP baby, and had her first sweet baby girl.

From the prep before to the processing after, each of Rachel’s births were truly their own story. Women of Strength, you are strong enough to handle whatever birth throws your way, and Rachel is a beautiful example of just that.

Gastroschisis Article

Episode 56 Rachel’s First VBAC Story

Needed Website: Code VBAC for 20% Off

The Ultimate VBAC Prep Course for Parents

Online VBAC Doula Training