I don't want another caesarean - So, what now?

So, your birth journey ended in a caesarean. Maybe you didn't want a caesarean. Maybe it was the best choice for you. Maybe it was unnecessary. Maybe it was traumatic. Or not.

Whatever it was and however it felt to you, you have now decided that planning for a VBAC for your next birth is the right option for you. 

And it can be really exciting when you make that decision!  You feel like jumping into ALL the groups. And doing ALL the research. And telling everybody about your plans.

I'm going to suggest that you hold your horses before you dive in. Take a breath. 

And read on for my process that will help cut through all the overwhelm and ensure that you get the most out of your preparation.​

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STEP 1: RECOVERY


A caesarean is major surgery. And for many of us it's the first time we've had major surgery. You have lots of physical recovery to happen.  Yep - while caring for a newborn baby.  

As with everything, recovery time is really variable. Some women are up and about and feeling great one week after the surgery; some women are still struggling with pain months or years later. Most women would consider themselves physically "healed" by about 3 months.

During this recovery time your hormones are still all over the place, you are adjusting to life with a baby, you are dealing with pain.


Now is NOT the time to start planning your next birth!




STEP 2: REFLECT


Your thoughts and feelings about your birth will change over the months following the birth.  As you move out of the newborn phase and start thinking about the future now is a good time to do some thorough reflection on your caesarean and the decisions that led to it.

My top tips for reflection are:

• Write out your birth story. Not just once, but several times and from several perspectives. Read more about birth story writing HERE.
• Get your hospital / care provider file from your pregnancy and birth and go through it with a doula / independent midwife / trusted friend. 
• Do some critical self reflection. You can read more about that process HERE. 

Reflect from a place of love. You did the absolute best you could with the information that you had!



STEP 3: RESEARCH


But not just any research....

The first thing that I googled after my first caesarean was "how do you have a VBAC". This was slightly helpful in that I discovered a few forums and a started to discover a few facebook groups (this was when groups were a very new thing on facebook!). This was very unhelpful in that I learnt nothing about the things that influence VBAC or how hard it was going to be.

There are a few parts to the research puzzle.


1) The self

You know more than any google search, so start journaling!

• Why do you want a VBAC?
• How important is it to you?
• What information do you need to feel safe and powerful in your decision making? 
• What does support mean to you?

2) The system:

Urgh - most women who end up having a repeat caesarean find themselves sabotaged by the system.

• What are the routine policies and guidelines around VBAC?
• How do these interrupt physiology?
• What are the caesarean and VBAC stats in your local community? 
• What's the difference between a VBAC rate and a VBAC success rate? And how do care providers use the "success rate" to trick women into believing that they attend more VBACs than they actually do?

3) The care provider:

Your care provider is generally the bridge between you and the system. They are the system's representative to care for you. How you are treated within the system is largely determined by your care provider.

• Does your care provider share your philosophy on birth?
• How does your care provider handle conversations about declining recommendations?
• Do you feel that your care provider trusts you as the decision maker in your journey?
• How does your care provider offer their advice? What words do they use? Do you feel like it's offered as an open choice?

4) The support

Having people around you who add to your power rather than take from it is so important. 

• Do your support people share your birth philosophy?
• What do your support people consider to be "good support"?
• How do you feel when talking about VBAC with your support people?
• How do your support people talk about you, birth, and your care provider?

Now you are ready to get this show on the road!

These steps will help ensure that you stand within your power and get the most out of your VBAC preparation.

If you need help working through these steps or you would like support to move forward with your VBAC planning I invite you to get in touch with me for an introductory VBAC mentoring session. These are $88 and you can book in by emailing me at lizzie@lizziecarroll.com.au or via the contact me tab.

I cannot wait to help you get your VBAC journey off to a powerful start.

Much love, Lizzie. x