Motherhood Flow - VBAC tips, preparing for a vaginal birth after c-section, preventing cesareans

Motherhood Flow - VBAC tips, preparing for a vaginal birth after c-section, preventing cesareans

Welcome to Motherhood Flow, your go-to motherhood podcast with a good mix of VBAC preparation tips and VBAC birth stories. While I focus heavily on VBAC and prevention of unnecessary c-sections, you can bet I'll be discussing topics from preconception to birth, to mothering toddlers and navigating your relationship after children, I cover it all here. Get ready for insightful conversations, expert interviews, and personal stories. Motherhood Flow is your space to walk through birth and motherhood on your terms, ensuring you're not just going with the flow but being an active participant in your own story. On this podcast you'll get some input and advice on questions like these: - What is a VBAC? - Can I have a VBAC? - How can I avoid a c-section? - How can I find a VBAC supportive provider? - Will having a c-section impact breastfeeding? - How to prepare for an unmedicated birth? - Is home birth safe? - How can I have a low intervention hospital birth? - What are my birth rights? - How to heal from birth trauma? - What can I do to make the transition from one to two kids easier? - How does acupuncture help fertility and overall wellness? - What is uterine rupture and what is the risk of uterine rupture? - Can I have a VBAC after multiple c-sections (VBA2C, VBA3C)? - Can I have a home birth after cesarean (HBAC)? - Should I have labor induced? And you'll hear a range of birth stories including: - VBAC birth stories - HBAC birth stories - Home birth stories - Free birth and unassisted birth stories - Low intervention hospital birth stories - Traumatic birth stories and discussion of birth trauma - Unmedicated birth stories Some of the experts you'll hear me talk to include: - Doulas - Childbirth educators - Acupuncturists - Chiropractors - Lactation Consultants - Doctors - Midwives - Nurses - Pelvic floor therapists Subscribe to Motherhood Flow now on your favorite podcast platform. I'm Hannah Gill, mother of two, VBAC mom, VBAC doula, and birth educator. I have a passion for helping women learn about and prepare for VBAC and take ownership of their birth experience. You can learn more about me and the services I offer at https://www.thehannahgill.com or on Instagram at @thehannahgill. Please remember that this podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only. It should not be considered a substitute for medical advice.

Episodes

June 2, 2025 31 mins

In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Margo Lowy, a psychotherapist, author, and expert in maternal mental health, for a powerful conversation about the often unspoken emotional realities of motherhood. Dr. Lowy shares what led her to explore the concept of maternal ambivalence and how naming and normalizing our full emotional experience can transform the way we mother.

We discuss:

  • What maternal ambivalence is and why it’s so misund...
Mark as Played

In this episode, I’m joined by Liz Eidelman, a New Jersey mom of two, doula, and content creator with a passion for helping women take control of their birth experiences. Liz shares her journey through two very different, yet equally challenging, births—and how those experiences sparked her desire to empower others to have satisfying, informed, and empowered births.

We discuss:

  • The challenges Liz faced during her own births and h...
Mark as Played

I have previously said that I would love to have a homebirth after cesarean (HBAC) if I had a third baby. 

Well, I've changed my mind and I'll go over why in this episode. 

I am an advocate for choice and informed consent. I believe everyone has a right to weigh the risks and benefits and decide what type of birth is best for them. Whether that be a hospital VBAC, birth center, or homebirth. 

There is no right or wrong way t...

Mark as Played

Text Hannah!



Mark as Played
March 31, 2025 10 mins

In this episode, I'm going over the role doulas play in supporting clients through both planned and unplanned c-sections.

Many people believe that once a c-section is decided on (whether planned or unplanned), a doula is no longer needed. That is absolutely untrue. Doula support is extremely beneficial in all birth scenarios.

Text Hannah!

Mark as Played

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Jennifer Winston, Health Data Scientist at U.S. News & World Report, to discuss the powerful data behind the rankings of the Best Hospitals for Maternity Care and Maternity Care Access Hospitals. Here's what you'll learn:

  • What defines a Best Hospital for Maternity Care and a Maternity Care Access Hospital, and why they’re critical in shaping the future of maternal health.
  • How U....
Mark as Played

In today’s episode, I'm diving into a key consideration for VBAC planning...the timing and spacing between your c-section and VBAC.

If you’re planning a VBAC then understanding the spacing between births can make a big difference. I go over ACOG guidelines but also give some personal insight into the topic and remind you to trust your gut and intuition.


https://www.acog.org/clinical/clinical-guidance/obstetric-care-consensu...

Mark as Played

In today's episode I dive deep into pelvic floor PT with Dr. Jessica London, PT, DPT, PCES. I also hear a bit about her birth stories (unplanned c-section and HBAC).

Here’s what you can expect:

  • How Jessica's first birth experience shaped the decision for a second homebirth, and the mental preparation involved.
  • Differences in preparing for a VBAC attempt and how that preparation evolved from the first to the second homebi...
Mark as Played

In today’s episode, I'm diving into an important but often overlooked factor that can make all the difference in your VBAC journey: nurse staffing. You might not have considered how hospital staffing levels can influence your VBAC success, but research shows that more nurses could mean fewer C-sections

I dive into:

  • Why your hospital’s nurse-to-patient ratio matters more than you think.
  • How staffing levels can affect your la...
Mark as Played

 In today’s episode, I’m joined by Alexis Adams, CEO and therapist at Confidently Therapy, to dive into setting boundaries during pregnancy, birth and postpartum and the mental and emotional challenges of parenting.

In this episode we cover:

  • How to set boundaries without guilt and maintain them
  • Overlooked aspects of mental/emotional preparation for postpartum
  • Strategies for handling postpartum anxiety and guilt
  • Why fear, s...
Mark as Played

On today's episode, Chelsea shares her beautiful HBAC story.

Chelsea is a podcast host, teacher, and mother who lives in Melbourne, Australia, with her partner and their two daughters.

Chelsea had an unplanned caesarean-section in hospital for her first birth and after 2+ years of preparation and research, had a beautiful, transformative VBAC at home for her second birth, surrounded by her beautiful birth t...

Mark as Played
November 11, 2024 21 mins

Are you considering an unmedicated VBAC but feeling unsure about how to prepare or if it's even possible? 

In this episode I dive into the misconceptions around unmedicated VBACs and I discuss essential preparation strategies (both physical and mental) that can help you approach your VBAC with confidence.

Tune in for action steps to help you prepare for your low-intervention unmedicated VBAC!

Text Hannah!

  • First 3 S...
Mark as Played

If you're a woman in your 30's and beyond, you'll want to tune into this episode.

Hormones play a key role in our overall health, especially when it comes to fertility, perimenopause, and menopause. But have you wondered how to balance them naturally without getting on some sort of hormonal birth control?

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Robyn Wright, a naturopathic doctor specializing in women's hor...

Mark as Played

If you are later in your VBAC pregnancy, looking back thinking, "I did nothing to prepare." then this episode is definitely for you. 

I'm giving my top tip for the last-minute, procrastinating moms out there who just don't have the time or energy to do it all.

Text Hannah!

Mark as Played

I want to start out by saying I'm NOT anti-c-section. I'm not against scheduling repeat c-sections simply because YOU want to. What I'm against is unnecessary c-sections. Coerced or pressured c-sections. C-sections chosen without full informed consent.

I've heard many women say that want to have some control over their birth the second time around so they are scheduling a repeat c-section. But is that r...

Mark as Played

Text Hannah!



Mark as Played

Confidence and clarity is so important when preparing for a VBAC, but how do you actually get to that point?

  • In this episode, I share a powerful mindset shift that every woman who is preparing for a VBAC needs.
  • I also share one simple action you can take today to start believing in yourself and your body's ability to birth.

Tune in for some tangible empowerment that will help you work through fear and doubt so you can fe...

Mark as Played

On today's episode, Aly McClain, RN of the Peaceful Homebirth Podcast tells us her 4 different birth stories (including 3 HBACs) and how her experiences inspired her to help other women navigate homebirth.

Connect with Aly: 

Mark as Played

Popular Podcasts

    Welcome to Bookmarked by Reese’s Book Club — the podcast where great stories, bold women, and irresistible conversations collide! Hosted by award-winning journalist Danielle Robay, each week new episodes balance thoughtful literary insight with the fervor of buzzy book trends, pop culture and more. Bookmarked brings together celebrities, tastemakers, influencers and authors from Reese's Book Club and beyond to share stories that transcend the page. Pull up a chair. You’re not just listening — you’re part of the conversation.

    On Purpose with Jay Shetty

    I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!

    Dateline NBC

    Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com

    24/7 News: The Latest

    The latest news in 4 minutes updated every hour, every day.

    The Bobby Bones Show

    Listen to 'The Bobby Bones Show' by downloading the daily full replay.

Advertise With Us
Music, radio and podcasts, all free. Listen online or download the iHeart App.

Connect

© 2025 iHeartMedia, Inc.