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. 5d ago

    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

  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. 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

  5. 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

  6. Apr 24

    105- When You Need To Step Back To Move Forward

    Sometimes the most productive thing you can do… Is pause. Not research more. Not make another decision. Not try to force clarity. Just… step back. Because if you’ve been deep in learning, planning, preparing— there comes a point where pushing harder doesn’t actually help. It just creates more noise. In this episode, we’re talking about: Why constantly trying to “figure it out” can start working against youWhat it actually means to step back without losing progressHow to reconnect with yourself when everything starts to feel overwhelmingWhy clarity often comes after you give yourself space—not before Because sometimes the next right step… Isn’t doing more. It’s creating enough space to actually hear yourself again. If you’ve been feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or like nothing is fully clicking… this episode is your permission to pause—and your reminder that you’re not falling behind. 🎧 And if you’re ready to have a space where you don’t have to carry all of this alone, The VBAC Space is open now. Inside, you’ll have the support to process, ask questions, and actually apply what you’re learning in a way that feels clear and grounded. Join here OTHER IMPORTANT LINKS: Free Support Call LINK! Birth Planning Session FREE VBAC GAME PLAN  Apply to be a GUEST on the podcast 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.

    15 min

  7. Apr 17

    104- Why One-Size-Fits-All Birth Advice Doesn’t Work

    You’ve seen the posts. Read the stories. Saved the “this is how I got my VBAC” lists. And without even realizing it… you start wondering if you should just do exactly what they did BUT You were never meant to follow someone else’s birth plan. Because what worked for her? Was built around her body, her provider, her history, her comfort level, her support system. Not yours. In this episode, we’re unpacking: Why copying someone else’s VBAC plan can actually leave you feeling more confusedThe hidden pieces behind every “success story” that you’re not seeingWhy “do this to get a VBAC” advice doesn’t hold up in real lifeWhat it actually looks like to create a plan that fits YOUThis isn’t about doing everything “right.” It’s about making decisions that feel aligned, informed, and grounded in your reality. If you’ve been trying to piece together your birth plan from a hundred different voices… this episode is going to bring you back to yourself. 🎧 And if you’re ready to stop second-guessing and start building a plan that actually makes sense for your life, The VBAC Space is open now. Inside, we don’t just give you information— we help you apply it to your specific situation so you can walk into your birth feeling steady and clear. You’ll get: Bite-sized audio lessons you can listen to on the goA private space for real-time supportWeekly live calls where we walk through your actual decisions togetherSpots are limited for this round. Join here OTHER IMPORTANT LINKS: Free Support Call LINK! Birth Planning Session FREE VBAC GAME PLAN  Apply to be a GUEST on the podcast 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. Apr 16

    103- What to Do When You’re Put on the Spot

    You can know exactly what you want going into your birth… …and still freeze the moment someone looks at you and says, “So what do you want to do?” Because it’s not just about having a plan. It’s about navigating real-time pressure, authority, and unexpected decisions when your brain is already overwhelmed. In this episode, we’re getting into: Why you freeze in the moment (even when you’ve prepared)The hidden pressure behind “quick decisions” in birthHow to respond when you need time, clarity, or more informationWhat it actually looks like to advocate for yourself without spiraling Because you don’t need to have all the answers instantly. You just need to know how to hold your ground long enough to make the right decision for you. If you’ve ever worried about being caught off guard during your birth… this episode is going to change how you walk into those moments. 🎧 And if you’re ready to stop feeling like you have to figure this out alone, The VBAC Space is open now. Inside, we don’t just talk about these scenarios — we walk through them together so you know exactly what to do when it’s actually happening. You’ll get: Bite-sized audio lessons you can listen to on the goA private community for real-time supportWeekly live calls where we apply this to your specific situationJOIN US!  OTHER IMPORTANT LINKS: Free Support Call LINK! Birth Planning Session FREE VBAC GAME PLAN  Apply to be a GUEST on the podcast 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.

    9 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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