I remember it clearly – that point after my second c-section when I realized I was ready to do it again. I had processed a lot of what happened during my last birth experience and really engaged with The VBAC Link Community, listening to story after story and learning so much more about what was truly possible for me in birth.
I wanted another try at pregnancy and labor. I wanted another chance to get my VBAC.
Maybe you’re like me, and you just can’t wait to give it another go. And maybe you’re not… maybe it makes you totally anxious just thinking about it. Either way, you’re not alone in wondering what your next birth will be like. You’re not alone in wanting to dream and do, prepare and plan right now, before you’re even pregnant.
Our DMs and community feeds are full of questions like this from mamas like you…
In this article, I want to walk you through my 5 tips to prepare for your VBAC (way before you are pregnant). As a VBA2C mom, a doula and a member of this community, I’ve gathered my ultimate resources for helping you take those very first steps (whenever you feel ready) towards getting your VBAC.
1. Process your last birth experience
This is a big one, maybe the biggest. While oftentimes it’s easier said than done, processing your past birth experience (or experiences) is essential to moving forward with a VBAC. We need to separate one story from the next, one pregnancy, labor and birth from the next.
Processing is different for everyone and highly dependent on how the experience affected you physically, mentally and emotionally. For some, it’s talking through the details with a birth partner or doula. Others may need to deep dive with a talk therapist or mental health counselor over several sessions. While still other mamas need more. Maybe you need to ask your provider specific questions or get the op reports from your c-section for more detail. All of these things are valid.
Other ideas to help you process are journaling, meditating or praying through the experience (whatever feels most like you). You may even consider doing a fear release or writing affirmations that speak life into your past, present and future. The book How to Heal a Bad Birth by Melissa Brujin could be really helpful for your processing as well.
Regardless of how you do it, I know it’s so important to your VBAC journey. You deserve to have a totally different experience, and that starts with your ability to trust and believe that no two experiences are the same. Your next pregnancy, labor, birth and baby are not the same as the last. When we process our past experiences, we can close one chapter and begin to write a new one.
2. Take care of your body
Believe it or not, part of your VBAC journey before you’re even pregnant again is physical. There are things you can (and deserve to) do now that will serve you well when it comes time for labor.
Pelvic floor physical therapy can make a world of difference in helping you to reconnect everything in your core (and more) that got disconnected during your last pregnancy and birth. Think of it like this – if you ran a marathon and tore some muscles, maybe fractured a couple bones, you would make sure those things were healed properly, probably doing some rehab before your next marathon, correct? Well, PFT is like rehab for pregnancy and birth. Take time to find a PFT that understands you, your birth experience and your vision for your next birth.
Check out our Guide to Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy with PT and DPT Dr. Betty DeLass for even more on the importance of rehabbing your pelvic floor.
Equally important is scar massage and mobilization. Your c-section was a major surgery with a major incision that will eventually turn into a scar. If we don’t pay close attention to that scar, we can be left with some issues months and even years later. Using mobilization and massage techniques (trust me, they are easier than you think) can help you avoid things like strange sensations, heaviness in your pelvic floor, increased tension and more.
Click over to C-Section Scar Massage: What it is and how to do it for even more details on exactly how to mobilize and care for your scar.
Another thing to make sure you’re doing to care for yourself physically is getting regular movement. This is important first because movement feels good and has endless benefits for your mind and body. But even more, the habits you have before pregnancy are the ones you’re more likely to carry over into pregnancy, and regular movement is essential to your VBAC journey. Exercising and moving during pregnancy benefit your mental health, your strength for labor and baby’s health, alignment and positioning. A few recommendations for pre-pregnancy movement include walking, biking, swimming, strength training and yoga, but honestly… move in whatever way feels good to you and brings you joy. And if you can do it outside, even better!
Last on my list of physical care is supplementing. There are so many vitamins and minerals your body needs to recover from a birth and / or prepare for a baby! Our team LOVES Needed’s array of supplements for fertility, pregnancy and postpartum.
Read more about Needed and their dedication to quality nutrition here.
3. Educate yourself & know your why
Knowledge is power on the road to VBAC. The more you do your own research and understand your options, the more confident you’ll feel. And confidence, that will always serve you well in the birthing space. Understand the risks and benefits related to the kind of birth you’re dreaming of, and be sure to check into the standards and policies at your birthing place so that you know what you could be up against.
One more tip – learn about the birthing process in general by taking a childbirth education course if you haven’t already (or take a refresher course). And last but not least, definitely, take a VBAC-specific course. You’ll love our self-paced virtual course, How to VBAC: The Ultimate Prep Course for Parents because it’s packed with statistics, information, checklists and so much content to help you truly feel empowered as you learn more about your VBAC options. If possible, bring your partner with you because it will be so helpful for them to learn the VBAC-specific info and ways to support you!
Educating yourself will ultimately help you connect to the specific reason you want a VBAC in the first place, which gives you a vision, more confidence to pursue it and the ability to communicate with others about what you want.
For even more ways to feel educated and prepared, check out our favorite books to help inform and inspire your VBAC.
4. Find a supportive provider
One of the first things we suggest to families preparing for a VBAC is to find VBAC-supportive provider. You deserve to feel cared for, listened to and supported on your VBAC journey… not just tolerated. Find a provider who gets to know you, who listens to your questions and responds with well-rounded answers, not just one-sided information. Find a provider who believes in your ability to birth the way you want to birth and makes a concerted effort to help you.
We have tons of information about finding the right provider here. You can also search our world-wide Supportive Provider List to narrow your search and get the details about providers in your area.
5. Engage in community
My last tip for preparing for your VBAC before you’re pregnant is to find community. I’ve said it before and will say it again… the road to VBAC can sometimes be a lonely one. Not everyone understands, even those closest to us. But the good news? There are plenty of us out here who do understand, and we want to cheer you on.
First and foremost, join one or both of our social communities – The VBAC Link Community and CBAC Support. You’ll find a network of thousands of other mamas who are or have been in a situation similar to yours. We see questions, discussions and resources being shared constantly, all things that can help you feel less alone.
You might also be surprised to find VBAC support locally. There could be a local Facebook group, in-person support groups or ICAN chapter near you that meets regularly. And don’t forget to truly connect with the people in your life who really care and want to support you. Even if it’s not your partner or mom or best friend, chances are there are others in your circle who want to encourage you. Let them.
Lastly, there is incredible power in listening to other birth stories. So many of the moms in our community (myself included) binged episodes of The VBAC Link Podcast because the stories are just so, so touching. Listening to other moms share their experiences helped me understand what was possible, what choices I might have and really gave me the encouragement and confidence to pursue the birth of my dreams. If others could do it, so could I.
And so can you.
No matter where you find yourself on the road to VBAC, know this – we’re here for you. Whether you’re still recovering from your c-section, planning your next pregnancy or days away from delivery, we are in your corner. I hope these tips for preparing for your VBAC even before pregnancy are helpful and encouraging as you begin the next chapter.
As always, I’ll leave you with this affirmation and reminder…
Recovering from a cesarean birth? Start here!