We’re thrilled to welcome back Dr. Hazel Keedle from Sydney, Australia! Dr. Keedle is a researcher, midwife, Director of Midwifery Academic Programs and Senior Lecturer at Western Sydney University back to discuss her book, A Clinician’s Guide to Birth After Cesarean, released in August 2025.

In this episode, Hazel shares insight from her years of research into VBAC experiences and clinical care. She talks about birth and the “Olympic coach” analogy, how providers can balance risks between VBAC and repeat cesarean, and the best ways to use research in your decision making.

Hazel, Paige, and Lily also unpack the importance of removing terms like trial, fail, and success to better honor every story. Hazel also graciously offers her personal perspective on how clinicians can process difficult outcomes and still show up with compassion, empathy, and belief to help every mother birth the way she desires.

The Clinician’s Guide to Better Birth After Caesarean

Birth After Caesarean: Your Journey to a Better Birth

The Birth Experience Study

The VBAC Link Podcast Episode 209

Dr. Keedle’s Publication - Debriefing Women’s Birth Experiences

The Perinatal Experience of Women With a History of Intimate Partner Violence

The Ultimate VBAC Prep Course for Parents

Online VBAC Doula Training

After an induction at 41+3 weeks turned emergency cesarean with her first and a second cesarean at 42 weeks due to failure to progress, Irene had an unmedicated VBA2C with full placenta previa pregnancy that resolved at 30 weeks!

Irene started her VBA2C pregnancy journey at a new practice that was not VBAC supportive and told her to schedule a cesarean at her first 8-week appointment. She switched providers at 20 weeks and owes her successful unmedicated VBA2C to the many different people and routines she incorporated into her pregnancy. Irene shares allll of her prep details with us including prayer, meditation, zoning out to Pink Floyd, and how she created a special labor visualization ritual so that when it was time for the real thing, she was excited, ready, and so at peace.

She says, “If providers aren't informing you about all the resources out there that you can utilize to prepare for your VBA2C, they're likely not going to be very supportive during your birth.”

Keywords: VBAC, placenta previa, birth stories, maternal health, pregnancy, women's empowerment, childbirth education, supportive care, doula, prenatal preparation

The VBAC Link Blog: VBA2C: The Facts and Statistics

The VBAC Link Blog: 6 Ways to Physically Prep for VBAC

The Ultimate VBAC Prep Course for Parents

Online VBAC Doula Training

“You only have to make one good decision at a time.”

We are so excited to welcome our very own TVL team member, Ashley Marg, back on the podcast today! Ashley is our Maternal Health & Communication Strategist and you will find her beautifully writing VBAC content on our blog and in your email inboxes.

You can find her first three birth stories in depth on Episode 249, but after a short recap, Ashley shares her rollercoaster of a 2VBA2C story. Her fourth birth was an induced 2VBA2C at 40+5 due to a failed biophysical profile and advanced maternal age. Ashley talks about her emotional induction with a Foley, the moment she knew she needed to ask for an epidural, and a surprise ending! More than anything, Ash wants our community to know that you do not have to commit to a date, a plan, or a schedule in birth. You just have to make the next good decision.

Ashley also shares how her calm, steady doula changed the entire vibe of her birth. She talks about her path to doula work and how it led to joining The VBAC Link team. We are SO grateful to have Ashley as part of our team and know you will feel the warmth and wisdom that we love so much about her!

Episode 249 Ashley's VBA2C + Postdates + Releasing Fears

The Ultimate VBAC Prep Course for Parents

Online VBAC Doula Training