Made For Birth; The VBAC Podcast For Birth After Cesarean

Katherine Stephens - Made 4 Birth
  • 5.0 (32)
  • Education
  • Updated Weekly

Are you a mom planning a VBAC or CBAC and looking for solid support and inspiration? You’re in the right place! Join us each week as we dive into empowering stories, expert advice, and the latest research to help you navigate your birth journey with confidence. From the challenges to the triumphs, I'm here to provide you with the information and encouragement you need to have the birth experience you’ve always dreamed of. Tune in, feel empowered, and remember—you were made for this!

  1. Jun 19

    113- Chiropractic Care, VBAC, and the Whole-Body Approach to Birth with Dr. Alayna Clark

    What does chiropractic care have to do with VBAC, breech babies, shoulder dystocia, and postpartum recovery? A lot more than most women realize. In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Alayna Clark, a Webster-certified chiropractor specializing in prenatal and pediatric care, to discuss how a whole-body approach to pregnancy can support better birth outcomes. We dive into the role of pelvic function, baby positioning, nervous system regulation, scar tissue, and collaborative care in preparing for birth—especially after cesarean. Dr. Alayna explains why prenatal chiropractic care isn't just about relieving back pain. It's about optimizing how the body moves, functions, and adapts throughout pregnancy so both mom and baby have the best possible environment for birth. We also discuss what Webster Certification actually means, how to find a qualified prenatal chiropractor, why pelvic floor physical therapy matters, and why postpartum care should include both mom and baby. In this episode, you'll learn: • What Webster Certification is—and what it isn't • How chiropractic care can support VBAC preparation • The connection between baby positioning and maternal biomechanics • Why breech babies aren't always "just breech" • Common causes of pubic symphysis pain and pelvic dysfunction • What one-sided contractions may indicate during labor • How chiropractic care and pelvic floor PT work together • Why babies should be evaluated after birth—even when everything seems fine • The impact of vacuum, forceps, and birth trauma on infants • How to build a truly supportive birth team Whether you're planning a VBAC, hoping to optimize fetal positioning, or simply want to better understand the connection between body mechanics and birth, this conversation is packed with practical information. Connect with Dr. Elena Clark: WEBSITE @dralaynaclark If this episode was helpful, please leave a review and share it with a friend preparing for birth. Because birth isn't just about getting through labor—it's about supporting the whole mother and the whole baby. Send me a text if you have episode request. All other questions please email me so I can reply! Support the show Find me on Facebook & Instagram @Made4Birth or visit my website at www.made4birth.com for all the information about my coaching program.

    1h 35m

  2. Jun 16

    112- The Long-Term Effects of Pregnancy and Birth with Emily Roper

    What if the impact of pregnancy and birth extends far beyond labor day? In this episode of Made for Birth, I sit down with Emily Roper to explore how a baby’s earliest experiences—from life in the womb through birth and the postpartum period—can influence long-term development, nervous system regulation, behavior, learning, and overall health. We discuss the growing understanding of how maternal health, stress, environment, nutrition, and birth experiences may shape a child’s foundation for years to come. This conversation isn’t about creating fear or guilt—it’s about recognizing the incredible opportunity parents have to support their baby’s development from the very beginning. Whether you’re currently pregnant, planning a future pregnancy, or simply curious about the lasting effects of early life experiences, this episode will challenge you to think differently about what it means to prepare for birth. In this episode, we discuss: How development begins long before birthThe connection between pregnancy, birth, and long-term health outcomesThe role of the nervous system in early childhood developmentWhy the postpartum period matters for babies, tooHow parents can support healthy development without striving for perfectionThe importance of informed, intentional decisions during pregnancy and birthAbout Emily Roper Emily Roper is a passionate advocate for maternal and infant wellness with a special interest in the lifelong impact of pregnancy, birth, and early childhood experiences. Through her work, she helps families understand how the earliest environments can influence development, empowering parents with knowledge that supports both informed decision-making and confidence in their parenting journey. 🎙️ Connect with Emily:  earlyrootstherapy.com IG: @earlyroots Find me on IG & Facebook @Made4Birth Remember: Birth is one day, but its effects can ripple through a lifetime. Send me a text if you have episode request. All other questions please email me so I can reply! Support the show Find me on Facebook & Instagram @Made4Birth or visit my website at www.made4birth.com for all the information about my coaching program.

    40 min

  3. Jun 12

    111- Questioning the Standard of Maternity Care with Dr. Stuart Fischbein, MD

    In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Stuart Fischbein to discuss VBAC, informed consent, risk, hospital policies, and the state of modern maternity care. Drawing from more than 40 years in obstetrics, Dr. Stu shares why he believes VBAC is often misunderstood, how fear and liability influence birth decisions, what current guidelines actually say, and what families can do to make informed choices about their care. Whether you’re planning a VBAC, exploring home birth, or simply want to better understand your options, this conversation will challenge you to think critically about the standard of care and what true informed consent looks like. Resources Mentioned: ACOG Guideline 664: Refusal of Medically Recommended Treatment During Pregnancy 🌐 VBAC Facts 🎙️ Evidence Based Birth Podcast with Nicholas Rubashkin, MD, PHD 📖 Why Home Birth by Jacob Dubois 🎙️ Birthing Instincts Podcast 📖 Fearless Pregnancy Send me a text if you have episode request. All other questions please email me so I can reply! Support the show Find me on Facebook & Instagram @Made4Birth or visit my website at www.made4birth.com for all the information about my coaching program.

    1h 49m

  4. May 29

    110- Why Birth Feels Like an Emergency Even When It Isn't

    Birth can feel like one long emergency—even when it isn't. A provider expresses concern. A test comes back slightly outside the normal range. A recommendation is made. Suddenly, what started as a routine prenatal appointment feels like a crisis. In this episode, we're unpacking why birth so often feels urgent, high-stakes, and scary, even when there is no actual emergency unfolding. You'll learn how hospital culture, risk management, fear, uncertainty, and the language used around birth can shape the way we perceive our options and make decisions. Most importantly, we'll talk about how to stay grounded when emotions are high and how to distinguish between a true emergency and a situation that simply requires thoughtful decision-making. In this episode, you'll learn: • Why concern and danger are not the same thing • How hospital systems are designed to identify risk • The difference between an urgent situation and an emergency • Why modern culture struggles with uncertainty in birth • How fear impacts decision-making • Questions to ask when recommendations are made • How to determine whether you have time to consider your options • How to use the SACRED framework to make informed decisions under pressure Whether you're planning a VBAC, a first birth, a home birth, or a hospital birth, this episode will help you navigate recommendations, stay centered in your values, and approach birth decisions with greater confidence. Because not everything that feels scary is dangerous. Not everything that feels urgent is an emergency. And not every recommendation requires an immediate yes. Connect with Katherine: Website: made4birth.com Instagram: @made4birth If this episode resonated with you, share it with a pregnant friend who feels overwhelmed by all the decisions that come with birth. Send me a text if you have episode request. All other questions please email me so I can reply! Support the show Find me on Facebook & Instagram @Made4Birth or visit my website at www.made4birth.com for all the information about my coaching program.

    14 min

  5. May 22

    109- Why Culture Is So Afraid of VBAC

    For decades, VBAC has been painted as dangerous, reckless, or “too risky.” But the truth?  The conversation around VBAC is far more nuanced than most women are ever told. In this episode, we’re unpacking why culture is so afraid of VBAC, how birth became increasingly medicalized, and what shifted in the late 90s and early 2000s that dramatically changed the way providers and hospitals approached vaginal birth after cesarean. We’re talking about: • the rise and fall of VBAC support  • the research and policies that changed everything  • how liability culture shaped modern birth care  • why fear spreads faster than nuance  • the difference between individualized risk vs blanket statements  • and why women deserve informed consent — not fear-based counseling This is not an anti-cesarean episode.  And it’s not about convincing every woman to pursue a VBAC. It’s about understanding the history, the culture, the nuance, and why so many women feel caught between fear and autonomy when making birth decisions after cesarean. Because women deserve more than one-size-fits-all answers when making one of the biggest decisions of their lives. Join The VBAC Space community Connect with me on Instagram: @made4birth Send me a text if you have episode request. All other questions please email me so I can reply! Support the show Find me on Facebook & Instagram @Made4Birth or visit my website at www.made4birth.com for all the information about my coaching program.

    20 min

  6. May 15

    108- You Don’t Need More Birth Advice

    Most moms preparing for a VBAC aren’t lacking information. They’re drowning in it. In this episode, I’m sharing why I created The VBAC Space… and the missing piece I see over and over again in birth preparation. Because knowing things intellectually and actually feeling calm, prepared, supported, and confident in labor are two very different things. We’re talking about:  • why fear thrives in isolation  • why community changes birth preparation  • the problem with “just trust your body” messaging  • how real preparation actually happens  • and why so many women second guess themselves in labor If you’ve been consuming birth content nonstop but still feel anxious, overwhelmed, or stuck… this episode is for you. Join The VBAC Space for free- TODAY!  Send me a text if you have episode request. All other questions please email me so I can reply! Support the show Find me on Facebook & Instagram @Made4Birth or visit my website at www.made4birth.com for all the information about my coaching program.

    14 min

  7. May 8

    107- The More We Control Birth, The Harder It Often Gets

    What if birth feels harder not because women’s bodies are failing… but because modern birth environments constantly disrupt physiology? In this episode, we’re unpacking the missing piece in so many birth conversations: physiological birth. We’ve been taught to view labor as mechanical — dilation charts, timelines, measurements, and “progress.” But birth is hormonal, neurological, emotional, and deeply connected to safety. And the more we try to tightly control every second of labor, the harder birth often becomes. Inside this episode, we’re talking about:  • Why birth is hormonal — not just mechanical  • How fear, interruptions, pressure, and stress impact labor  • Oxytocin, adrenaline, and the nervous system in birth  • Why labor often slows down in high-control environments  • The difference between supporting physiology vs managing birth  • Why this matters SO much for VBAC moms If you’ve ever wondered why birth can feel like such an uphill battle in modern maternity care… this episode is going to change how you see labor entirely. 🎧 Want to go deeper?  Inside The VBAC Space next week, we’re breaking physiological birth ALL the way down — hormones, labor patterns, movement, positioning, support, interruptions, hospital dynamics, and more. Join us here: The VBAC Space Send me a text if you have episode request. All other questions please email me so I can reply! Support the show Find me on Facebook & Instagram @Made4Birth or visit my website at www.made4birth.com for all the information about my coaching program.

    13 min

  8. May 1

    106- A Safe VBAC” Isn’t What You Think It Is

    “I just want a safe birth.” You’ve probably said it. Every mom does. But here’s the question no one is asking you back… What does “safe” actually mean—to you? In this episode, we’re pulling apart one of the most commonly used (and misunderstood) words in birth: safety. Because in today’s birth culture, “safe” is often treated like a fixed definition… when in reality? 👉 It’s deeply personal. 👉 It’s shaped by your experiences. 👉 And it directly impacts how your body functions in labor. We’re also diving into the “high risk” label—what it actually means, where it comes from, and why it might be influencing your decisions more than you realize. And yes—we’re talking VBAC, uterine rupture, and the real numbers… but more importantly, we’re talking about how those numbers are presented and how that affects your nervous system, your mindset, and your birth experience. Because birth isn’t happening in a vacuum. It’s not a controlled experiment. And your body doesn’t respond to statistics—it responds to how safe it feels. Inside this episode, we cover: Why safety is a feeling—not just a medical outcomeHow your past experiences shape what feels safe to youWhat’s really behind the “high risk” labelWhy statistics don’t tell the full story in birthHow your environment and support impact your laborAnd how to start defining safety for yourself Plus—I walk you through a simple “Safety Check” exercise you can do today to get clear on what you actually need going into your birth. This episode will challenge the way you’ve been taught to think about safety… in the best way. Because confidence doesn’t come from being told what’s safest. 👉 It comes from understanding your options—and choosing what actually aligns with you. Links + Resources: ✨ Join the VBAC Space: www.made4birth.com/vbac ✨ Connect with me on Instagram: @madeforbirth ✨ Want 1:1 support? Apply here If this episode hit home for you: Take a screenshot, share it to your stories, and tag me—I’d love to hear what shifted for you 🤍 And don’t forget to follow the podcast so you don’t miss what’s coming next. Send me a text if you have episode request. All other questions please email me so I can reply! Support the show Find me on Facebook & Instagram @Made4Birth or visit my website at www.made4birth.com for all the information about my coaching program.

    22 min
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5
out of 5
32 Ratings

About

Are you a mom planning a VBAC or CBAC and looking for solid support and inspiration? You’re in the right place! Join us each week as we dive into empowering stories, expert advice, and the latest research to help you navigate your birth journey with confidence. From the challenges to the triumphs, I'm here to provide you with the information and encouragement you need to have the birth experience you’ve always dreamed of. Tune in, feel empowered, and remember—you were made for this!

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