What I Wish Someone Had Told Me Before My VBAC Attempt
When I was preparing for my second birth, I knew I wanted a VBAC.
I knew I didn’t want a repeat of my first experience—the cesarean that left me physically recovering and emotionally unraveling. So I did what a lot of moms do when they’re trying to feel in control of something that feels inherently unpredictable:
I researched. Obsessively.
I read every VBAC success story I could find.
I dug into every terrifying statistic.
I joined forums, bookmarked medical journals, scrolled articles at 3am.
I thought if I could just know enough, I could guarantee a different outcome.
But here’s what I wish someone had told me: Preparing for a VBAC isn’t just about gathering information—it’s about finding the right kind of support.
The Kind of Support I Didn't Know I Needed
I hired a doula for my VBAC attempt—someone with knowledge, someone I trusted. She introduced me to Spinning Babies techniques, helped me understand positioning, and gave me tools I’d never heard of during my first pregnancy.
And while those were incredibly helpful, they didn’t address my biggest obstacle: my anxiety.
Every appointment, every twinge, every reminder of my last birth sent me into a spiral of what ifs. I was holding my breath for nine months, terrified that my body would fail me again. And by the time labor started, I was already on edge.
I tried to appear calm. I used the tools I’d gathered.
But underneath? I was panicking.
Flashbacks from my first birth surfaced with every contraction.
I couldn’t find my footing.
I didn’t trust my body—because no one had helped me heal it emotionally.
And while in the end, my daughter’s cord prolapsed and we needed an emergency cesarean, I know in my heart I would have ended up with a cesarean no matter what: I wasn’t prepared to VBAC—not fully.
Not mentally.
Not emotionally.
Not physically.
Not in a way that would’ve made trusting my body feel possible.
What I Needed Then—And What I Offer Now
I needed someone to help me sort through the noise.
To hand me the real, evidence-based information about VBAC so I didn’t have to drown in scary headlines and outdated statistics.
To teach me how to talk to my provider with confidence and clarity.
To help me prepare my body for this kind of birth—because VBAC prep is different.
But most of all, I needed someone to say:
“You are safe now. This is not the same birth. You have choices.”
And then to walk with me as I learned to believe that.
That’s why I became a VBAC Link Certified Doula.
Because I don’t want anyone else to feel like I did—desperate for reassurance, buried under fear, and unsure where to turn.
I now offer the kind of support I needed:
Evidence-based education that clears up confusion and helps you understand what really impacts VBAC success
Provider communication prep, so you can confidently advocate for yourself
Body-based movement and preparation, tailored specifically to the unique needs of VBAC birth
Emotional support and trauma-informed care, to help you release fear and build trust in your body again
Grounding practices and mindset coaching, so you don’t have to white-knuckle your way through labor
If You’re Hoping for a VBAC…
Please hear me:
You are not broken.
You are not selfish.
You are not “too much” for wanting something different this time.
You are strong and capable—and you deserve to feel supported, seen, and safe as you prepare to birth again.
VBAC prep is not about doing more or trying harder.
It’s about getting the right kind of support—the kind that speaks to your body and your heart.
If that’s what you’re looking for, I’d love to walk with you.
Let’s Talk
If you're planning a VBAC in Grinnell, IA or the surrounding area, I’d be honored to support you.
Book your free doula consult here and let’s talk about your story, your hopes, and how this birth can be different.
