01 | VBAC vs. Repeat C-Section: The VBAC Link's Meagan Heaton Breaks Down the Statistics on VBAC and Uterine Rupture
Episode description
In episode 1 of the VBAC mini series, we're joined by Meagan Heaton (she/her), co-founder and host of the podcast, the VBAC Link, to unpack the risks associated with both VBACs and repeat Caesareans.
Meagan Heaton co-founded the VBAC Link in 2018. Although she always felt called to the baby world, she really found her love for birth in 2014 after her second C-Section. Through these two birth experiences, her love and passion grew around VBAC. She wanted to help people feel supported and loved. Soon after becoming a doula, she got pregnant and knew she wanted to have a VBA2C. She had her son in a birth center via VBA2C in 2016. She has now supported over 300 families through their birthing journeys as a doula, and many more virtually through The VBAC Link. She aims to help women like herself feel educated, supported, and empowered during their birthing time. When she is not doing podcasts or doula work, Meagan loves attending her kids' soccer games, gymnastics meets, Ice skating programs, and being involved in school activities. She loves to road bike and is always down for a DIY project, and a walk around the block with her husband.
In this episode, we discuss:
Weighing up the Options: Repeat C-Section or VBAC?
- What are the risks and benefits associated with both a repeat C-section and a VBAC?
- How many c-sections can I have if I want a bigger family?
- What’s the ideal time between c-section and conception for increasing your chance of VBAC?
- What are some statistics on VBAC?
- What are Meagan’s top tips in preparing for a VBAC?
Breaking Down the Risk of Uterine Rupture:
What are the statistics?
What can increase your chance of uterine rupture and how is it detected if rupture does occur?
How do the chances increase on a third or fourth caesarean?
Is there still a risk of uterine rupture with a subsequent vaginal birth (no c-section history) or with a repeat caesarean?
You can find Meagan's podcast, the VBAC Link, on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and many other platforms.
And you can find her website and blog here: https://www.thevbaclink.com/.
Follow our instagram @definitelybabypodcast for photos of weekly guests and episode updates and releases. The Definitely Baby theme music was written by Hagan Mathews and produced at @sleeplessfootscray.
The photo in the podcast logo was taken by @maki.levine. This episode was partially recorded on the lands of the Wurundjeri Wilam and Boon Wurrung/Bunurong peoples of the Kulin Nation. This always was and always will be the land of the First Nations peoples. Every month, I Pay The Rent and so can you - click here to learn more.