Today we’re talking with Esther, who shares her eventful six birth journeys and two miscarriages. Esther's stories include four Cesareans, breech twins, placental abruptions, hemorrhage, stillbirth, and two unassisted home births. Her experiences deeply changed her understanding of birth, trauma, and autonomy.

Esther faced unexpected involvement from social services and legal pressure around her birthing choices, ultimately leading her to give birth to her sixth baby unassisted and in hiding. She talks about rebuilding trust in her body after trauma, how inflammation and stress played into her pregnancies, and why knowing your rights in birth matters so deeply. Esther was committed to taking care of her own health and the health of her babies by doing whatever it took to birth in the way that felt safest to her. Her stories are honest, brave, and full of determination!

**This episode discusses miscarriage, medical trauma, and infant loss. As The VBAC Link Podcast is storytelling by nature, we believe informed decision-making comes from hearing all types of birth after cesarean stories as told by women themselves. We encourage birthing with a supportive, qualified professional, but also recognize that some women give birth without providers for personal or situational reasons. Please take care while listening.**

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The Ultimate VBAC Prep Course for Parents

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We are so excited to welcome back our favorite registered dietician and bestselling author, Lily Nichols! Lily is here to chat with us about her third book, Real Food for Fertility. She explains how while the title focuses on fertility, this book goes far beyond that, diving into how nutrition supports hormone health and overall well-being at every stage of life.

Meagan and Lily talk about nutrition before pregnancy, during pregnancy, and even how diet can sometimes (but not always!) affect a baby’s size. Lily also shares her hopes for future research on nutrition recommendations and the important reminder that even small, consistent changes in how we eat can make a meaningful difference. It’s truly never too late to start.

Is it Too Late to Make Nutrition Changes in Pregnancy?

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Is it Too Late to Make Nutrition Changes in Pregnancy?

Institute for Prenatal Nutrition Website

Lily’s Books

Lily’s Freebies

Lily’s Instagram

Needed Website: Code VBAC for 20% Off

The Ultimate VBAC Prep Course for Parents

Online VBAC Doula Training

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