The VBAC Link

Meagan Heaton
  • 4.9 (479)
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Here at The VBAC Link, our mission is to make birth after cesarean better by providing education, support, and a community of like-minded people. Welcome to our circle, we are so glad you are here!

  1. Episode 436 Amanda’s Scheduled Repeat Cesarean Turned VBAC

    2D AGO

    Episode 436 Amanda’s Scheduled Repeat Cesarean Turned VBAC

    For this last episode of 2025, we wanted to emphasize just how unique all VBAC journeys really are, and Amanda’s story does just that! Women of Strength, VBACs are possible in sooo many different scenarios, even the ones that weren’t planned or prepped for.  Amanda thought she was having a planned C-section, but with a little gentle encouragement from her care team, she ended up with an unplanned, completely intervention-free VBAC. The way Amanda’s team communicated with her every step of the way is SO COOL to hear about. Her first birth was a traumatic crash C-section with NICU time and postpartum anxiety/OCD, but her second was healing and empowering. Amanda wants other moms to know that while you don’t have to do all the “things” to have a VBAC, prep can make a big difference. We’re so grateful to our podcast guests, listeners, and support this year! Andddd….. We are excited to share some BIG news for the podcast in 2026. Stay tuned for next week’s HUGE announcement! Any guesses on what it might be?? Needed Website: Code VBAC for 20% Off The Ultimate VBAC Prep Course for Parents Online VBAC Doula Training Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-vbac-link/donations Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

    43 min

  2. 12/24/2025

    Episode 435 Surrendering to Birth: A Guided Meditation with Meagan Heaton

    This Christmas Eve episode is something a little different and very special! For over 400 episodes, you’ve heard our founder, Meagan Heaton, encourage, educate, and validate women through all types of birth stories. Now, she’s slowing down and speaking that encouragement directly to YOU. This episode is just a warm moment to simply pause, breathe, and feel supported. This episode is for all women, in any season. Whether you are preparing for a VBAC, processing a CBAC, riding that healing birth high or struggling through postpartum, Meagan’s words are meant to meet you right where you are. She shares how much she loves this community and how deeply she believes in you. May you feel seen, held, and reminded that you are never alone. We are always cheering for you.  The Ultimate VBAC Prep Course for Parents Online VBAC Doula Training Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-vbac-link/donations Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

    13 min

  3. 12/17/2025

    Episode 434 Kela's Redemptive HBA2C with a 9.5lb Baby + Cervical Scar Massage During Labor

    Kela is an inspiring mama who joins us today sharing her HBA2C story! All three of Kela’s pregnancies were planned home births, yet her first two ended in cesarean after long labors labeled “failure to progress”, concerns of chorio, tachycardia, and fever. Though the odds were stacked against her, Kela never let go of the dreamy home birth she knew in her bones was possible.  With the support of an incredibly skilled and VBAC-supportive midwife, Kela achieved an incredible home birth after two cesareans! This birth included over nine hours of pushing, continuity of care, and manual cervical scar tissue work during labor. Meagan and Kela dive into more details about cervical scar tissue, something that definitely isn’t talked about very much!  Kela says, “I knew deep down I could have the vaginal birth I always desired. And I did. It was the farthest thing from easy, but I couldn’t have done it without my incredible midwife who owns In Due Season Birth Center. She specializes in VBACs and she believed in me the whole way.” Needed Website: Code VBAC for 20% Off The Ultimate VBAC Prep Course for Parents Online VBAC Doula Training Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-vbac-link/donations Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

    48 min
  4. Episode 433 Anna from Sacred Birth International: Daring to Birth Differently

    12/10/2025

    Episode 433 Anna from Sacred Birth International: Daring to Birth Differently

    “Peace on earth begins with birth.” In this powerful episode, Meagan sits down with Anna Lundqvist, founder of Sacred Birth International. Anna is a seasoned midwife from Sweden whose work has evolved into educating birthing families, doulas, and birth professionals on how to protect birth as a sacred, primal, and physiological event. Drawing from years of attending births around the world, Anna now focuses on teaching how to reclaim the innate design of birth, preserve reverence throughout the process, and support mothers in advocating for their autonomy. Her philosophy is rooted deeply in trauma-informed care and physiological birth wisdom.  Meagan and Anna let the conversation flow naturally as they dive into induction, cervical checks, trauma, and the harsh realities many families face within the medical system. Anna offers heartfelt insight on processing fears, discerning intuition from anxiety, and why she often encourages VBAC at home for those who feel aligned with that path. Thank you for joining us today, @sacredbirthinternational for a very special conversation!! Content warning: This episode includes frank discussion of birth after sexual abuse and trauma. Please listen with care. Needed Website: Code VBAC for 20% Off The Ultimate VBAC Prep Course for Parents Online VBAC Doula Training Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-vbac-link/donations Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

    1h 10m
  5. Episode 432 Air Force Officer Sarah's VBA2C During an OCONUS PCS + Nitrous Oxide

    12/03/2025

    Episode 432 Air Force Officer Sarah's VBA2C During an OCONUS PCS + Nitrous Oxide

    Women of Strength, you won’t want to miss this one!! In today’s episode of The VBAC Link Podcast, we welcome Sarah, a mom of three boys, an active duty Air Force officer (AND a spouse to one as well!) about her incredible VBA2C during an overseas PCS move from South Korea to Florida.  Sarah’s first birth was a c-section for breech presentation. Her second was a scheduled c-section timed around her husband’s deployment. Her third pregnancy brought navigating prenatal care in a foreign country, a huge move with two toddlers in tow, and the stress of finding a completely new birth team.  After Sarah’s water broke unexpectedly at 37 weeks while visiting family in Kentucky, and with all their belongings either in Arizona or on a boat in the Pacific, she was induced so she could labor while a VBAC-supportive doctor was on call. After 11 hours on Pitocin, she delivered her baby vaginally, finished the move and arrived in Florida when her newborn was just one week old.  Sarah & Meagan also share tips about using nitrous oxide in labor and important Tricare resources for military families. Though there were wild twists and turns, Sarah got her especially redemptive moment of being fully present for the moment she introduced her new baby to her other boys. We are so proud of you, Sarah!! Nitrous Oxide Article Needed Website: Code VBAC for 20% Off The Ultimate VBAC Prep Course for Parents Online VBAC Doula Training Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-vbac-link/donations Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

    45 min
  6. Episode 431 Catie's VBAC with Hyperemesis Gravidarum + Cholestasis

    11/26/2025

    Episode 431 Catie's VBAC with Hyperemesis Gravidarum + Cholestasis

    Catie, a pediatric physical therapist from Northern Kentucky, joins Meagan on the podcast today sharing her three birth stories– a vaginal delivery, c-section, and VBAC! Catie struggled with hyperemesis gravidarum (among other complications) during all three pregnancies but wasn’t officially given the diagnosis until she was hospitalized with her third. By that time, she had researched hard and was ready to proactively manage it, even though her doctor wasn’t up-to-date on all of the ways to do that. Catie shares what she did and how it made a world of difference for that third pregnancy. In regards to her births, Catie talks about her first induced vaginal birth, her long, traumatic second labor that ended in an urgent c-section, a PTSD diagnosis, and her healing VBAC that was medically induced at 37 weeks due to Cholestasis.  After her traumatic second birth, Catie really fought for healing. Women of Strength, we cannot stress enough how important this is. Through EMDR, pelvic floor therapy, exercise, and more, Catie gained back the confidence and trust she needed in her body to absolutely rock her VBAC! ICP Care Cholestasis Article The VBAC Link Blog: Kick Counts Needed Website: Code VBAC for 20% Off The Ultimate VBAC Prep Course for Parents Online VBAC Doula Training Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-vbac-link/donations Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

    1h 6m
  7. Episode 429 Lily Nichols, RDN Returns + Nutrition Before, During & After Pregnancy

    11/12/2025

    Episode 429 Lily Nichols, RDN Returns + Nutrition Before, During & After Pregnancy

    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? Needed Website: Code VBAC for 20% Off 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 Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-vbac-link/donations Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

    55 min
  8. Episode 428 Kari's Induced VBAC with Preeclampsia after Her First Induction Didn't Go to Plan + Info on Preeclampsia

    11/05/2025

    Episode 428 Kari's Induced VBAC with Preeclampsia after Her First Induction Didn't Go to Plan + Info on Preeclampsia

    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 Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-vbac-link/donations Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

    54 min
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About

Here at The VBAC Link, our mission is to make birth after cesarean better by providing education, support, and a community of like-minded people. Welcome to our circle, we are so glad you are here!

Information

  • Creator
    Meagan Heaton
  • Years Active
    2018 - 2025
  • Episodes
    442
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2021 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    The VBAC Link

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