The VBAC Link

Today we are talking about the impact COVID-19 is having on the birth world. Hospital policies seem to change daily and restrictions are being put in place to limit the number of people allowed to support the birth giver, in most cases to just one support person. How should you navigate these constant changes as a birthing parent and as a birth professional? Listen in as we dig deep and talk about the things we are seeming and how we are working through them. 

Birth Monopoly put out a great list of resources lately of policies and guidelines from reputable organizations that you can use to help advocate for lower restrictions on doulas, here is the list but we encourage you to go to their website for even more detailed information. 

– Community letter to hospitals [link]
– AWHONN position statement on continuous support [linked above and here]
– WHO (World Health Organization) brief on “Companion of choice during labor” [link]
– DONA (Doulas of North America) recommendations on “COVD-19 & Doulas” [link]
– ACOG and SMFM (Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine) guidance for providers on treating pregnant patients suspected of or confirmed to have the virus [link]
– CDC recommendations for treating patients suspected of or confirmed to have the virus [link]
– CDC recommendations for inpatient obstetric healthcare settings [link]
– DONA letter to hospitals [link]
– ACOG practice advisory on COVID-19 [link]
– ACOG committee opinion on “Approaches to Limit Intervention During Labor and Birth” [link]

Even though Jennifer's first birth was a scheduled C-section, it still provided for some shocking surprises. But in the end, it all worked out, and it wasn't a terrible experience for everyone involved.

It was recommended to her that she not get pregnant again for a minimum of 12 months after that birth. But it so happened that she found herself pregnant again after only 4 months after her first was born. Surprisingly, she didn't have too much trouble in being approved by her provider to try for a VBAC.

Her second was born via VBAC without complications, except for some significant tearing and lots of stitches. Then for her third, she wanted to go for a home birth VBAC. Listen and find out how that went for her. And listen towards the end of the show about the repercussions for her midwife for allowing a home birth under these conditions.

But wait, there's more.

For her fourth baby, she wanted to go for a home water birth VBAC. Would this prove as successful as her others?

Even though this is very much a shorter episode, it's still packed with great stories and great information.

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Topics/keywords: placenta previa, rubella, four-month interval between birth and pregnancy, short interval, stitches, home birth, water birth, Irish twins, 

Valerie Schwalbe is a physical therapist specializing in pelvic health. But she's had so much hard core schooling and has been practicing for so many years, that she can speak authoritatively on any number of topics.

Julie and Meagan pepper her with questions about a bunch of stuff that many of you will find informative and useful.

Find her in Murray, Utah at https://www.wellbeingphysicaltherapy.com/

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Topics / keywords: pelvic floor, chronic pelvic tension, incontinence, shapes of poop, kegals, pelvic floor dysfunction