The Story of The VBAC Link
At The VBAC Link, we have the privilege of sharing the stories of incredible Women of Strength every single week. Stories of hope, heartbreak, resilience, and everything in between. But behind the microphones, the resources, and the community are women with birth stories of our own. We believe every birth story matters, including the ones that brought us here. So before we get to know yours, we'd love to share a little of ours.
Where we came from:
The VBAC Link was founded in 2018 by Meagan Heaton and Julie Francom, two doulas, VBAC moms, and friends who recognized something missing in the birth world. They were seeing families who wanted to explore Vaginal Birth After Cesarean (VBAC) but struggled to find supportive providers, evidence-based education, and a community that understood what they were navigating.
They knew firsthand how much preparation, support, and encouragement could matter. And they believed families deserved better. What started as a podcast sharing real VBAC stories grew into something so much bigger: a community of Women of Strength, educational courses, resources, and a movement to change the conversation around birth after Cesarean.
Along the way, Lily and Paige joined The VBAC Link team, bringing their own birth experiences, passion for advocacy, and love for this community. In 2026, Lily and Paige stepped into the next chapter of The VBAC Link, taking over the podcast and carrying forward the mission Meagan and Julie began.
Today, The VBAC Link continues to grow and evolve, but our heart remains the same: making birth after Cesarean better through education, connection, and support. We believe every family deserves to feel informed, heard, and supported, no matter how their birth unfolds.
Lily's Story
Co-Host & COO of The VBAC Link | Birth Doula | VBAC Mom
Hi, I'm Lily! I'm a mom of two, birth doula, VBAC educator, and someone who knows firsthand that birth doesn't always go according to plan.
My journey into motherhood began with pregnancy loss, an ectopic pregnancy, and eventually the birth of my son after an unexpected birth center transfer due to a surprise breech baby, and ultimately a C-section.
That birth left me with a lot to process and even more questions. I found the VBAC Link in my postpartum processing, and I remember crying through every episode, feeling so seen. I joined the team originally as our social media manager, and shortly after, I got pregnant with my second baby!
After 66 hours of labor, a whole lot of preparation, and learning to trust myself through the unexpected, I welcomed my daughter into the world with a hospital water birth VBAC. It was one of the most challenging and redemptive experiences of my life.
But my passion for birth goes beyond my own story. With a degree in kinesiology and nearly a decade of experience in community health, I've spent much of my career helping people access education, resources, and support. Becoming a doula felt like a natural extension of that work.
Today, I have the privilege of supporting families through my doula practice and helping lead The VBAC Link alongside Paige. I believe deeply in the power of evidence-based education, informed decision-making, and reminding women that their voices matter in the birth room.
Paige’s Story
Co-Host & COO of The VBAC Link | CAPPA Birth Doula | CBAC & Maternal-Assisted Cesarean Mom
Hi, I'm Paige! I'm a mom of four, birth doula, VABC educator, military spouse, and someone who never imagined I'd fall so completely in love with the birth world.
In fact, when I was pregnant with my first baby, birth terrified me. I was the girl who passed out at her first blood draw! I was thrilled to become a mom, but the thought of actually giving birth felt overwhelming. Little did I know how much my own birth experiences would change me.
After two Cesareans, I found The VBAC Link while preparing for a vaginal birth after two Cesareans (VBA2C). I poured myself into learning, preparing, and advocating for the birth I hoped to have. Ultimately, that birth ended in another Cesarean.
It wasn't the outcome I had imagined, but it sparked something in me. I began to understand that a positive, empowering birth experience isn't defined by how your baby is born. It's about being informed, supported, respected, and included in the decisions being made.
In 2024, I welcomed my fourth baby through a maternal-assisted Cesarean in South Korea, an experience that further shaped the way I think about birth, autonomy, and what it means to feel empowered.
Somewhere along the way, my passion for birth turned into a calling. I became a doula, joined The VBAC Link team, and eventually found myself behind the very microphone that had once helped me navigate my own journey.
I didn't get the VBAC I had hoped for. But I found something I never expected. I got The VBAC Link. And now I get to spend my days helping other women feel seen, supported, and empowered in their own birth stories, whatever those stories may look like.