Understanding Your Options: Choosing Your Type of Birth - Vaginal Birth, VBAC, and Caesarean Birth Artwork

Building Birth Confidence

If you’re pregnant again after a traumatic or difficult birth, and you’re feeling anxious, overwhelmed, or unsure how to prepare this time around — you’re not alone, and you’re in the right place.

Hosted by Katie, a mental health midwife, antenatal educator, and hypnobirthing instructor, Let’s Talk About a Better Birth is here to gently guide you back to a place of confidence and calm. With over 16 years of experience and a passion for truly trauma-informed care, Katie offers short, compassionate episodes packed with practical tools, emotional support, and honest conversations, all designed to help you feel more in control, more informed, and more hopeful.

This podcast blends expert midwifery insight, hypnobirthing techniques, and psychological support rooted in therapeutic approaches so you can prepare differently this time and feel truly supported every step of the way.

💛 You deserve a better birth. Let’s talk about how to make that possible.

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Building Birth Confidence

Understanding Your Options: Choosing Your Type of Birth - Vaginal Birth, VBAC, and Caesarean Birth

November 02, 2024 • Katie Smith • Season 1 • Episode 3

In this episode of the Building Birth Confidence Podcast, we dive deep into the different birth options available to you—whether you’re considering a vaginal birth, a VBAC (Vaginal Birth After Caesarean), or a planned Caesarean. Hosted by Katie, a mental health midwife, antenatal teacher, and hypnobirthing instructor specialising in pregnancy after traumatic birth, this episode is designed to provide evidence-based information and emotional support to help you make informed decisions that feel right for you.

We’ll explore the pros and cons of each birth option, share practical advice on how to navigate discussions with your maternity care team, and offer trauma-informed insights to help you feel more empowered, confident, and prepared for your upcoming birth.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

What VBAC is and who might be a good candidate
The benefits and risks associated with VBAC and Caesarean births
How to approach a vaginal birth after a traumatic experience
Tips for making informed, confident decisions about your birth plan
How to prepare for a change of plans and cope with the unexpected

Timestamps:

[00:00] Introduction: Welcome and Overview of Birth Options
[03:43] What is VBAC? The Pros, Cons, and Key Considerations
[05:58] Planned Caesarean Birth: What You Need to Know
[08:44] Vaginal Birth After a Traumatic Experience: How to Heal and Prepare
[11:00] Making Informed and Confident Birth Choices
[13:32] Outro: Take Care and Continue the Journey to Birth Confidence

Resources Mentioned:

RCOG Guidelines on VBAC Success Rates Birth after previous caesarean | RCOG
Birthrights - Birthrights - your human rights during pregnancy and maternity care
NICE Guidelines - Recommendations | Caesarean birth | Guidance | NICE
NICE Guidelines - Intrapartum Care - Overview | Intrapartum care | Guidance | NICE

Connect with Me:

Follow me on Instagram: @birthcarewithkatie
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