04: Birth story — choosing VBAC and advocating for your preferences with postpartum doula, Jules Meyer @flo.to.grow

Birth Choices

In this episode we speak with postpartum doula, Jules Meyer of @flo.to.grow, about her experience of the “cascade of intervention” in her first birth following induction, her journey of preparing for a vaginal birth after caesarean (VBAC), the ongoing advocacy required through her pregnancy, and birth, and how it felt to birth her second baby vaginally, both in those minutes and hours post-birth, and now, weeks into her postpartum. She reflects beautifully on the shift from being what she thought was informed first time around, to getting really informed, and standing in her power to birth her baby as she wanted to. This is a great story for anyone preparing to birth their baby, as well as for anyone preparing for a VBAC. Jules also takes us through how she prepared for and is experiencing postpartum second time around.

Links:

Jules drew on the following resources in preparing for VBAC

• Birth After Caesarean: Your Journey to a Better Birth (we cover this with Hazel in an upcoming episode)
• Flor Cruz https://www.instagram.com/badassmotherbirther/
• B from Core and Floor Restore https://www.instagram.com/coreandfloorrestore/
• Rachel Reed on VBAC
• Rhea Dempsey - Birth with Confidence
• Evidence Based Midwife on the ARRIVE Trial

Learn more about Jules and her postpartum doula offerings at: https://flotogrow.com/
Disclaimer: This podcast aims to share stories and education to assist you in navigating your pregnancy and birth and in discussing these choices with your chosen pregnancy care provider. The information and resources provided are educational in nature and do not constitute or replace medical or midwifery advice.
While we have worked hard to ensure that the information we provide is accurate and based on reliable and up to date evidence, we do not warrant or guarantee the accuracy of this information. Our website and podcast are intended to complement, and never to substitute, your midwifery or medical clinical care.

Chapters

1. 04: Birth story — choosing VBAC and advocating for your preferences with postpartum doula, Jules Meyer @flo.to.grow (00:00:00)

2. introducing jules (00:01:14)

3. first birth (induction, cascade of intervention, c-section) (00:06:42)

4. first postpartum (00:16:55)

5. second pregnancy and VBAC preparation (00:20:33)

6. Jules experiences her VBAC (00:55:06)

7. third stage (01:20:49)

8. tear assessment, suturing and recovery (01:23:52)

9. second postpartum (01:34:48)

10. the VBAC kapow (01:43:00)