Ep 288: How to Prepare for a VBAC Outside of the Hospital with Meagan Heaton

Vaginal births after cesarean- are they really safe?  And what about vbacs at home, or outside of the hospital?   This week we’re speaking with Meagan Heaton, Host and founder of The VBAC Link. Meagan co-founded the VBAC Link in 2018. Although she always felt called to the baby world, she really found her love for birth in 2014 after her second C-Section. Through these two birth experiences, her love and passion grew around VBAC. She wanted to help people feel supported and loved. She had two C-sections and then went on to have a VBA2C, and has now supported over 300 families through their birthing journeys as a doula. Her drive is to help women like herself feel educated, supported, and empowered during their birthing time.   Meagan is so incredible- we’re going to hear her birth stories along with all of the wisdom she has to share for mothers who are seeking to have a vaginal birth after cesarean.     Episode Roundup:     As we head into this week’s episode roundup, here are a few little thoughts I’m having: Partner support is so crucial.  Meagan shares about this on her own platform, and she’s got the story to prove just how important this piece is.  While Meagan had gained a good amount of education between her first and second birth, her husband was still of the mindset that the doctors truly were the experts, and he trusted what they said.  However, when she was able to work with him more on the subjects in their third pregnancy, he was willing to support Meagan in her desire to give birth outside of the hospital- even if he didn’t fully understand it himself.  Now, he’s a believer, just like so many other homebirth dads! Next, I love how Meagan mentioned the importance of vetting your care provider, both inside and outside of the hospital.  Sometimes we fall into the mental trap that  “homebirth midwife equals perfect care provider for me” and honestly, that’s just not the case.  There are lots of midwives in my area, and many of them practice quite differently from one another.  In fact, many of them are unwilling to take on VBAC clients.  Seeking a care provider who knows your story and feels confident working with you- and gives you peace– wow, that’s critical in terms of having a successful VBAC. And finally- I want to leave you with this reminder: It can be different this time.  It can be different than before.  Maybe you’ve had one, two, three other experiences that all ended in a cesarean– or that whatever happened, ended in a way that felt disempowering to you.  I want you to remember that this birth is different, the outcome can be different, and no matter what, your perspective can always be different. Change is possible!    Links: FREE Peaceful Birth Reset: https://www.myhappyhomebirth.com/birthreset   Whole Mother Homebirth | https://www.myhappyhomebirth.com/wholemotherhomebirth (use code PODCAST for 10% off)   Learn more about Samaritan Ministries: https://samaritanministries.org/happyhomebirth   Youtube | https://youtu.be/mSvLScNwm2E Restorative Roots  | restorativeroots.com (use code HAPPYHOMEBIRTH for $20 off your first order)