The VBAC Homebirth Stories Podcast Ashley Winning

In this episode, we meet Katelyn, a mum of two who planned a VBAC at home that ended in a c-section transfer. 



I’m sharing Katelyn’s side of the story in her own words in the show notes today. 



I had an emergency caesarean following an unwanted and unneeded postdate induction that I was coerced into. 



I felt I had no real other option. I was under the care of a private obstetrician, not because I felt that it was the kind of care that most aligned with me but because I didn't know how to otherwise get continuity of care (oh had I known then what I know now!) 



With my second, I was planning a VBAC from the moment I left the operating theatre and that quickly became a HBAC plan. I hired a private midwife and a doula and had a far, far more relaxed pregnancy and was super looking forward to my birth at home without medical interference. 



I ended up with a long labour that progressed very well to start with and then stalled about 8 hours in. 



I was supported and encouraged to do what I felt was right, and so we kept at it at home for another 12 hours (with a visit to my chiro right at the end) before I decided it was time to head to the hospital for intervention. 



I requested my waters be broken, which they did a little while after I arrived at the hospital. At about the 26-hour mark. 



I was so exhausted that I physically felt I had reached my limit I could feel that she was still high and not properly engaged and I felt if couldn't remain upright I would completely lose my hold on my contractions. 



They had been strong and constant. The first 8 hrs of labour they were 3-4 minutes apart, they'd stretched out to between 5-10 minutes through the rest of the day and once we got to the hospital, and vocalising and moving through them was all I had to keep on top of it. 



At that point, I knew I was heading down repeat caesarean territory and I made an informed decision to have an epidural, knowing that most likely I was heading to theatre but there was a small chance that it could be enough to relax me and allow my baby to descend. 



After another couple of hours with an epidural, we made the call to head to the theatre, which was disappointing but also liberating. 



To know I'd done everything I felt I needed to do, all the things I'd not had an opportunity to try the first time around (including forward leaning inversions through contractions and walchers position and everything!) and I was relatively okay feeling like it was my decision at that point. 



So yeah - not the classic homebirth story, but one I do think is important which is why I'm so open about sharing it because we do know that HBAC women generally have higher transfer rates than most homebirthers but that doesn't mean it will be a negative or traumatic experience even if it ends with another caesarean. 



Going to the hospital was my biggest fear (or so I thought, in hindsight I think I actually had other unvoiced fears hiding under the surface that kept me from progressing in labour) and it turned out to be very okay. 



I'd still plan a HBA2C in a heartbeat for my next baby if I get blessed to have a third! 







More from Ashley:

⁠The VBAC Village⁠

Insta: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@ashleylwinning⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.ashleywinning.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Join our VBAC Homebirth Support ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Group here ⁠⁠⁠

In this episode, I spoke with the amazing Catherine Bell from The Birth Map. 

We talk about how Catherine's birth and postpartum experiences led her to the creation of The Birth Map. 

I asked lots of questions about the birth map and the bias attached to some of the evidence.

We discussed: 


What is birth mapping


What are the benefits of birth mapping


The fast birth pathway


How the birth map was created and born into the world


There are 11 different models of care in Australia


Over 800 different policies making it tricky for women to navigate the system


How the birth map will support you with each choice you may be faced with during labour and birth


Facing our fears right in the face, and break it down and make plans for the next birth. 


How birth debriefs are integral to understanding what to do for your next birth



Catherine is a wealth of knowledge when it comes to birth, and I am so grateful that she shared her wisdom and experiences with us in this podcast episode. 

Listen to this fabulous episode now!

Here’s more about Catherine:

In becoming a Mother, Catherine was frustrated with the 'need to know' nature of maternity, so trained as a birth doula and breastfeeding counsellor and educator to fill the knowledge gap and support other women.  

Combined with her Master in Science Communication, this led to the development of Birth Cartography and the invention of The Game of Birth.  Her book, The Birth Map, is the subject of her PhD study into communication and decision-making in maternity services.   

Connect with Catherine: 

my IG@birthmapping



Get access to the free Birth Map game and e-book here: https://birthmap.life/member-access/


More from Ashley:

The VBAC Village

Insta: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@ashleylwinning⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠www.ashleywinning.com⁠⁠⁠⁠

Join our VBAC Homebirth Support ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Group here ⁠⁠⁠

In this episode, I share some of the struggles we all have when it comes to building community for ourselves.



And how why you should start building your community now.



I share some ways you can take steps to build your community and how mindset and perspective play a massive part in you being able to create the community you need and deserve.



Enjoy this episode,



Ashley




More from Ashley:



Free VBAC Training:

Don't miss the VBAC Workshop in February 2024, packed with valuable insights and knowledge, VBAC myth-busting, and answering all of your VBAC questions. ⁠⁠Click here to register⁠⁠



Insta: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@ashleylwinning⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Website: ⁠⁠⁠www.ashleywinning.com⁠⁠⁠

Join our VBAC Homebirth Support ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Group here ⁠⁠⁠

In this episode, I get to share with you Christy's phenomenal birth stories.

Christy is a mother of 10 children, who has had 7 Caesarean births and 3 homebirths.

She had fairly positive c-sections births with her first 6 children, and found on the 7th her Dr was obligated to refer Christy to another OBGYN as she was deemed "high risk" due to hospital policy.

She found this quite challenging and was told she had placenta
accreta multiple times after ultrasounds. When she birthed her baby by c-section and there was no placenta accreta she felt like she was done with having babies.

Although she wasn't quite done and found herself pregnant with baby number 8. She searched high and low for support this time and found herself eventually connecting with a homebirth midwife, planning a VBAC.

Listen to this episode to hear some of the challenges Christy overcame to birth her babies in a way she felt comfortable and happy to.

Along with some important conversations about what can happen in the birth journey.

Enjoy this episode,

Ashley x




More from Ashley:



Free VBAC Training:

Don't miss the VBAC Workshop in February 2024, packed with valuable insights and knowledge, VBAC myth-busting, and answering all of your VBAC questions. ⁠Click here to register⁠



Insta: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@ashleylwinning⁠⁠⁠⁠

Website: ⁠⁠www.ashleywinning.com⁠⁠

Join our VBAC Homebirth Support ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Group here ⁠⁠

In this episode, we have returning super start guest Hazel Keedle, and we discuss obstetric violence and birth trauma.



In this episode, we discuss:


What is obstetric violence
What it means
How to identify it and what to do



We also discuss the NSW Birth Inquiry


What is it
What do you hope to achieve with this inquiry
What did women say



Please be mindful that this episode discusses traumatic experiences of women and maybe triggering or disturbing.



Ashley x



More from Ashley:




Free VBAC Training:

Don't miss the VBAC Workshop in February 2024, packed with valuable insights and knowledge, VBAC myth-busting, and answering all of your VBAC questions. Click here to register



Insta: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@ashleylwinning⁠⁠⁠

Website: ⁠www.ashleywinning.com⁠

Join our VBAC Homebirth Support ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Group here ⁠⁠

Hi everyone, and welcome back to the VBAC Homebirth Stories Podcast! 

I hope you had a rejuvenating break and are ready to dive into 2024 with me. 

This year promises to be filled with inspiring stories, valuable insights, and expert discussions to support you on your journey towards a triumphant VBAC homebirth.

What's in Store:

In the upcoming months, I have an exciting lineup for you:

Real Mum Stories:

We'll be featuring a variety of real mum stories, including tales of rural HBAC, HBA7C mama, experiencing 3 homebirths,, and many other incredible homebirth after c-section stories.

Guest Episodes:


We have some fantastic guest episodes lined up, including conversations with:



Hazel Keedle: Discussing obstetric violence and birth trauma.


Dr. Stu: An OBGYN turned homebirth advocate, shedding light on breech births, VBAC, and twin homebirths.


Catherine Bell: Exploring the concept of Birth Mapping.




Feel free to recommend a guest speaker or share your own HBAC birth story by emailing me at hello@ashleywinning.com.

Exciting Offerings:

Free Training Coming Soon:

Don't miss the VBAC Workshop in February 2024, packed with valuable insights and knowledge, VBAC myth busting, and answering all of your VBAC questions. 

VBAC Village Membership Launch:

Mark your calendars for March 2024! The VBAC Village Membership is set to launch, and the waitlist is open for early bird pricing and exclusive giveaways. Join the waitlist here

Birth Doula Services:

Exciting news! I now offer in-person birth doula support from Brisbane to the Gold Coast, as well as virtual doula support worldwide. 

Connect with me to explore how I can assist you on your birthing journey, I’d love to hear more about your birth plans, dreams and desires.  Book in a coffee chat here.



Looking Ahead:

As we launch on this new year, there are numerous exciting opportunities to find support, deepen your birth knowledge, and work towards achieving your dream VBAC homebirth.

Make sure to tune in to the podcast episodes for an extra dose of inspiration.

I’m thrilled to have you with us on The VBAC Homebirth Stories Podcast in 2024. 

Enjoy this episode, and remember, I’m here to support you every step of the way.

Ashley x

More from Ashley

Insta: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@ashleylwinning⁠⁠

Website: www.ashleywinning.com

Join our VBAC Homebirth Support ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Group here ⁠⁠