In this episode, I’m joined by VBAC educator and doula Hannah Gill to break down everything you need to know about vaginal birth after cesarean. Whether you’re planning your first VBAC, recovering from a traumatic cesarean, or supporting someone through birth after surgery—this one’s for you. We cover the real risks, how to prepare physically and mentally, and what it means to truly advocate for your birth.

🎧 In This Episode

✂️ Planned C-section vs. vaginal birth: pros, cons & real risks

⚠️ Uterine rupture: what the data really says

🧠 Mindset work: how to trust your body again

📋 What to put on your VBAC birth plan

🏥 Hospital rules that impact VBAC (monitoring, induction, water labor)

🗣️ Advocacy tips for parents & doulas

❤️ Why wanting a VBAC doesn’t make you selfish—it makes you informed

💡 Key Takeaways

• VBAC is a safe, evidence-backed option for most — not a fringe or risky choice.
• Uterine rupture is real but rare. Understanding the risk helps, not fear mongering.
• Mindset matters. Believing in your body is just as crucial as physical prep.
• Support makes all the difference — from your provider, your team, and your own voice.
• There’s power in planning — for VBAC and for a C-section, if it comes to that.

🔗 Resources + Mentions

• VBAC Is Your Birthright (self‑paced prep program for parents)
• VBAC & Cesarean for Birth Professionals (Approved for 8 ICEA Contact Hours for doulas/providers)
• Instagram: @thehannahgill
• Podcast: Motherhood Flow
• 💡 Download the free ebook: 5 Steps to a Fear-Free Birth
• 🎓 Interested in going deeper? Check out The Empowered Birth Method, the complete childbirth education course.
• ❓Got a question we didn’t cover? Submit it anonymously here for our next Q&A episode!

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💛 Loved this episode? Share it with a friend or leave a quick review — it helps more families find Let’s Talk Birth and feel empowered for what’s ahead.

In this follow-up to the previous Labor 101 episode, we’re walking through what happens after you’re fully dilated. From the first urge to push to the golden hour of skin-to-skin, this is your full guide to stage two and three of labor — plus how to navigate the big moment calmly and confidently, whether you're birthing at home, a hospital, or a birth center.

If you haven’t listened to Episode 5 yet, I recommend starting there!

🎧 In This Episode

🌀 The 3 types of pushing: physiological, directed, and the fetal ejection reflex

🔥 What the “ring of fire” really feels like — and how to work with it, not against it

🧘🏽‍♀️ Why waiting to push (aka laboring down) can reduce tearing and exhaustion

🧍‍♀️ Standing? Side-lying? In the tub? Best pushing positions with and without an epidural

⏳ How long pushing actually takes — and what factors influence it

💉 What to expect with stage three: delivering the placenta, fundal massage & delayed cord clamping

👶🏽 Why the golden hour matters — for baby, for bonding, and for milk supply

💡 Skin-to-skin with dads, C-sections, and how to keep the room calm after birth

🗝️ Key Takeaways

• There’s no prize for fast pushing. Slower, gentler pushing can protect your body.
• Your position makes a difference — especially for reducing tearing and helping baby descend.
• The golden hour is about more than cuddles — it supports baby's vitals and your recovery.
• Every birth is different. What matters is tuning into what your body is telling you in the moment.

🌿 Resources + Mentions

💡 Download the free ebook: 5 Steps to a Fear-Free Birth

🎓 Interested in going deeper? Check out The Empowered Birth Method, the complete childbirth education course.

❓Got a question we didn’t cover? Submit it anonymously here for our next Q&A episode!

🙌 Connect + Subscribe

📬 Sign up for email notifications so you never miss an episode

📸 Follow on Instagram for behind-the-scenes and birth tips

🎥 Follow on TikTok for bite-sized birth wisdom

🎙️ Subscribe to the podcast wherever you listen

💛 Loved this episode? Share it with a friend or leave a quick review — it helps more families find Let’s Talk Birth and feel empowered for what’s ahead.

From first contraction to full dilation, here’s what to expect during the longest (and most misunderstood) part of labor.

In this episode, we’re walking through the entire first stage of labor — from those very first “is this it?” contractions to the intensity of transition. Whether you're planning a home birth, hospital birth, or anything in between, this conversation is all about what’s normal, what’s helpful, and what can make things easier as labor unfolds.

If you’ve ever wondered what contractions are supposed to feel like, how prodromal labor fits into the picture, or why dilation isn’t the only number that matters — this one’s for you.

🎧 In This Episode:

🌀 A breakdown of stage one labor — from early signs to transition

📉 What dilation, effacement, and station actually mean

💤 Why resting early can impact the entire birth

🛁 Comfort tools you can use at home (think moaning, movement, water)

🦵 The best positions to help baby move down

🔥 Transition signs — and why “I can’t do this” means you’re close

🏥 When to head to the hospital or call your midwife

💡 How to tell Braxton Hicks from real labor

🧠 The role of mindset, emotional safety, and flexibility

🗝️ Key Takeaways:

• Early labor is often the longest and most mentally draining. Don’t overthink it — eat, rest, and hydrate.
• Effacement matters just as much as dilation. It’s not just about getting to 10.
• The way you move matters. We’re talking knees apart, then asymmetrical, then knees together — different positions for each phase.
• Who you invite into your birth space can impact your progress. Choose people who help you feel safe, not performative.
• You are already doing the work. Even in the doubt, even in the early stages — your body knows how to labor.

🌿 Resources + Mentions:

🎓 Want to feel truly prepared for labor?

Check out The Empowered Birth Method, my full childbirth education course → Learn more here

📥 Want the next episode (on pushing + delivering the placenta) delivered straight to your inbox?

Sign up for email notifications here

🙋‍♀️ Got a question you’re too embarrassed to ask out loud?

Submit it anonymously right here — I just might answer it in a future Q&A!

🙌 Connect + Subscribe:

📬 Sign up for email notifications so you never miss an episode

📸 Follow on Instagram for behind-the-scenes and bonus tips

🎥 Follow on TikTok for bite-sized birth wisdom

🎙️ Subscribe to the podcast wherever you listen

💛 New here? Leave a quick review or send this episode to a friend who’s expecting. Your support helps more mamas find the show and feel empowered for birth.