EP27 - Aimee's 2VBACs (planned homebirth, private midwife, doula, placental abruption, miscarriage, HBAC, waterbirth, cervical lip, surrender)

In this very special episode, we hear from our beloved co-host Aimee as she steps into the storyteller's seat to share the deeply personal journeys of her three births - a path woven with loss, healing, and profound transformation.

Aimee begins with the unexpected birth of her first baby, Willow - a planned homebirth that turned into an emergency caesarean at 36 weeks due to a placental abruption. She speaks candidly about the grief of losing her envisioned birth, the joy and relief of her daughter’s safe arrival, and her conviction to follow her intuition when hospital breastfeeding support fell short.

Her second birth was a redemptive and empowering homebirth after caesarean (HBAC) with her son Hamish, following multiple miscarriages and the emotional imprint of her first birth. Surrounded by a trusted team and held in safety, Aimee surrendered to the rhythm of labour and birthed her baby in a beautiful, supported water birth.

She then shares the story of her third baby, Evalie - a triumphant second HBAC. This birth unfolded during the still hours of a new moon, with her children present and her birth space lovingly prepared. Through the intensity of a long transition, emotional highs and lows, and a stubborn cervical lip, Aimee ultimately welcomed her daughter into her own hands in a euphoric, joy-filled moment.

With humour, honesty, and raw vulnerability, Aimee reflects on the mental load of labour, the importance of advocacy and support, and the transformational power of birthing on her own terms. This episode is a celebration of birth in all its forms - intense, ordinary, sacred, and wildly powerful.

We’re so honoured to share these stories from our co-host and friend. Aimee, thank you for your courage, your voice, and your unwavering belief in the power of birth.

Please join us on our journey to bringing you all kinds of VBAC stories from across the country from here on in by subscribing and following us on social media, @australianvbacstories on Instagram and Australian VBAC Stories on Facebook. 

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If you are feeling that you might benefit from mental health support after listening to our podcast, please reach out to one of the organisations below:

PANDA ⁠⁠https://panda.org.au/⁠⁠

Gidget Foundation ⁠⁠https://www.gidgetfoundation.org.au/⁠⁠

COPE Australia ⁠⁠https://www.cope.org.au/⁠⁠

If you've experienced mistreatment or disrespectful care in your pregnancy, birth or postpartum and are seeking advocacy support, please contact one of the following organisations:

Maternity Choices Australia ⁠⁠https://www.maternitychoices.org/⁠⁠

Maternity Consumer Network ⁠⁠https://www.maternityconsumernetwork.org.au/⁠⁠

Thank you for tuning in to our podcast.