EP33 - Emily’s VBAC (gestational diabetes, BSLs, prodromal labour, posterior, hospital MGP, homebirth transfer, advocacy, debriefing, responsibility, intuition, support)

In this episode, Georgia speaks with Emily, who shares her two contrasting birth stories with honesty, insight, and strength. Emily’s first birth, a planned hospital birth during COVID, took an unexpected turn following a gestational diabetes diagnosis, loss of continuity of care (MGP) in the last weeks of pregnancy, and a challenging, prodromal labour with posterior baby that ended in a caesarean section. She candidly reflects on the emotional aftermath and her path toward healing.

Determined to reclaim her birth experience, Emily shares the work she did—physically, emotionally, and mentally—to prepare for her VBAC. From deep internal bodywork to debriefing/counselling and mindset shifts, she details her transformative journey leading into her second birth: a powerful, supported VBAC that unfolded at home before transferring to hospital in the final hours. Despite facing hurdles once again, Emily emerged feeling elated, grounded, and strong. She shares her encouragement for building mental resilience, taking responsibility for your decisions and your feelings and making relevant powerful on your own journey to VBAC.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone planning a VBAC or seeking inspiration after a difficult birth. Emily’s story is filled with wisdom, vulnerability, and serves as a timely reminder to trust your body, your intuition, and your inner power.

Please join us on our journey to bringing you all kinds of VBAC stories from across the country from here on in by subscribing and following us on social media, @australianvbacstories on Instagram and Australian VBAC Stories on Facebook.

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If you are feeling that you might benefit from mental health support after listening to our podcast, please reach out to one of the organisations below:

PANDA ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://panda.org.au/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Gidget Foundation ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.gidgetfoundation.org.au/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

COPE Australia ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.cope.org.au/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

If you've experienced mistreatment or disrespectful care in your pregnancy, birth or postpartum and are seeking advocacy support, please contact one of the following organisations:

Maternity Choices Australia ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.maternitychoices.org/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Maternity Consumer Network ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.maternityconsumernetwork.org.au/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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