Over the years, hundreds of clients have hired doulas in our community as part of their preparation for vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC), and it’s some of the most rewarding work we do. These people usually arrive with a complex combination of determination and anxious uncertainty.
They are hoping to birth differently this time and committed to doing what they can to deliver vaginally, but they are simultaneously anxious about the possibility of a repeat cesarean and uncertain of their body’s ability to birth vaginally. These emotions are normal and reflect the multifaceted experience of people who have had a cesarean birth.
Doulas support VBAC families in all the same ways we support other clients, but we also attend to some of the unique concerns and considerations. Doulas spend time talking about evidence-based research on VBAC, discuss care providers and their VBAC success rates, go over the importance of optimal fetal positioning, explore alternatives to medical induction, and dig up the seeds of doubt planted by extra prenatal testing and try to blow them into the wind.
In addition to these kinds of preparations, doulas also spend a good deal of time on emotional preparations. Each person and family approaching VBAC has a unique and often difficult previous birth story that has brought them to this crossroads. Some people are at peace with this story, while others are still tender and feeling varying degrees of sadness, disappointment, fear, confusion, guilt, and anger. Either way, doulas make plenty of space to hear the details of your birth story, to help you process it at your comfort level, and to identify parts that were particularly difficult or frightening so that we can offer extra support and advocacy in those sensitive or vulnerable areas.
And, even though doulas will bend ourselves into pretzels to help you realize your hope of having a vaginal birth, in our heart of hearts we want everyone to feel empowered by their birth experience regardless of how it happens. No matter how your baby is born, it takes strength and courage, and every type of birth experience deserves recognition and admiration. We love that line in Roanna Rosewood’s popular book on VBAC: “Birth isn’t a battle to win or lose. It’s the result of delving into your vulnerability and finding your power.” Our goal is to help you find your power in whatever way, shape, or form that happens.
