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 misunderstood How embracing the “darker” emotions of motherhood can lead ...
Jun 02, 2025•32 min
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 how they shaped her mission to improve birth outcomes. The importanc...
May 19, 2025•49 min
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 to give birth, only the way you feel safest and most supported. Text Hannah!...
May 14, 2025•9 min
Text Hannah! First 3 Steps to VBAC Guide: https://www.thehannahgill.com/firststeps Quiz - Is Your Provider VBAC Supportive?: https://thehannahgill.com/quiz Doula VBAC and Repeat Cesarean Guide: https://www.thehannahgill.com/newdoulatips...
May 02, 2025•7 min
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! First 3 Steps to VBAC Guide: https://www.thehannahgill.com/firststeps Quiz - Is Your Provider VBAC Supportive?: https://thehannahgill.com/quiz Doula VBAC and ...
Mar 31, 2025•11 min
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.S. News evaluates hospitals for maternity care and why their annual study i...
Mar 24, 2025•21 min
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-consensus/articles/2019/01/interpregnancy-care https://www.acog.org/womens-health...
Mar 19, 2025•9 min
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 homebirth. Insights from a pelvic floor therapist’s perspective on the unique expe...
Mar 10, 2025•43 min
https://www.thehannahgill.com/blog/5-questions-to-ask-your-provider-about-vbac Text Hannah! First 3 Steps to VBAC Guide: https://www.thehannahgill.com/firststeps Quiz - Is Your Provider VBAC Supportive?: https://thehannahgill.com/quiz Doula VBAC and Repeat Cesarean Guide: https://www.thehannahgill.com/newdoulatips...
Mar 07, 2025•8 min
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 labor and VBAC success. Steps you can take to ensure you have the support...
Feb 21, 2025•7 min
https://www.thehannahgill.com/blog/everything-you-need-to-know-about-vbac-courses Text Hannah! First 3 Steps to VBAC Guide: https://www.thehannahgill.com/firststeps Quiz - Is Your Provider VBAC Supportive?: https://thehannahgill.com/quiz Doula VBAC and Repeat Cesarean Guide: https://www.thehannahgill.com/newdoulatips...
Feb 03, 2025•11 min
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, stress, and self-doubt are heightened for new parents and how to overcome th...
Jan 13, 2025•29 min
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 team. Connect with Chelsea: Podcast: Growing Up Raising Us Instagram: @growingupraisinguspo...
Jan 06, 2025•53 min
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 Steps to VBAC Guide: https://www.thehannahgill.com/firststeps Quiz - Is Your Provide...
Nov 11, 2024•21 min
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 hormones, to discuss how your hormones affect fertility, the transitions of perimenopause, and w...
Oct 28, 2024•37 min
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! First 3 Steps to VBAC Guide: https://www.thehannahgill.com/firststeps Quiz - Is Your Provider VBAC Supportive?: https://thehannahgill.com/quiz Doula VBAC and Repeat Cesarean Guide: https://www.thehannahgill.com/newdoulatips...
Oct 14, 2024•6 min
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 really what puts you in control? In this episode, I share some misconceptions about scheduling ...
Sep 30, 2024•10 min
Text Hannah! First 3 Steps to VBAC Guide: https://www.thehannahgill.com/firststeps Quiz - Is Your Provider VBAC Supportive?: https://thehannahgill.com/quiz Doula VBAC and Repeat Cesarean Guide: https://www.thehannahgill.com/newdoulatips...
Sep 23, 2024•1 hr 1 min
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 feel ready for your VBAC journey. Text Hannah! First 3 Steps to VBAC Guide: ht...
Sep 16, 2024•16 min
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: Peaceful Homebirth Podcast Website- www.peacefulhomebirth.com Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/groups/peacefulhomebirth Homebirth Essentials- https://birth-bliss-beyond.ck.page/a775623bb3 Application for VIP Coaching- bit.ly/phpapp Text Hannah! First 3 Steps to VBAC Guide: ...
Sep 09, 2024•47 min
Finding a VBAC supportive provider is really freaking hard in a lot of areas and it can be one of the most stressful parts of preparing for a VBAC. So when it's time to decide whether or not to stay with the same provider who did your c-section you might be wondering what to do. The majority of people in the birth world would tell you NOT to stay with the same provider. Tune in to hear my thoughts on this! Text Hannah! First 3 Steps to VBAC Guide: https://www.thehannahgill.com/firststeps Quiz - ...
Aug 19, 2024•7 min
Many women spend all of their time preparing for birth and what to put on their baby registry. But often times they forget to plan for other aspects of postpartum, especially breastfeeding. If you're a first-time mom worried about breastfeeding or a doula who wants to better support her clients as they begin the breastfeeding process, you'll want to check out this episode. Midwife and IBCLC, Katie James, shares SO much valuable information. Connect with Katie at katiejames.site Learn about breas...
Aug 05, 2024•42 min
Whether you're preparing for a VBAC or are a first-time mom, I'm sure you've heard about cervical exams at some point BUT... What are the pros and cons of getting cervical checks? Does everyone need to get cervical checks during pregnancy? What do cervical dilation and effacement even mean? Should you get cervical exams during labor? Tune in to find out! Text Hannah! First 3 Steps to VBAC Guide: https://www.thehannahgill.com/firststeps Quiz - Is Your Provider VBAC Supportive?: https://thehannahg...
Jul 29, 2024•12 min
In this episode, I speak with Mary Farrelly, a certified Level IV NICU nurse and trained doula, about the crucial topic of navigating the NICU. We dive into: What is the NICU (neonatal intensive care unit)? How common is it for a baby to need NICU support? Essential tips on how families can prepare for a NICU stay in advance (even for an unexpected stay). The invaluable role doulas play in supporting families through their NICU journey. Whether you're expecting or already facing a NICU stay, thi...
Jul 15, 2024•49 min
Curious about some of those weird skin changes during pregnancy? Listen to today's episode as I briefly highlight a few pregnancy skin issues you may not know about. You probably aren't the only mom out there looking at your skin thinking, "What in the heck is this?!" If you're experiencing any abnormal skin changes always talk to your healthcare provider. Text Hannah! First 3 Steps to VBAC Guide: https://www.thehannahgill.com/firststeps Quiz - Is Your Provider VBAC Supportive?: https://thehanna...
Jul 12, 2024•11 min
So today we're going to be talking about a topic that I talked quite a bit about last month on my Instagram, but I recently archived the majority of my posts. So the post isn't there anymore, but I talked about it in my stories a little bit, and it's about how, you know, if you're done having kids, I feel like this is a question that So many of us have, we may ask ourselves this question. We may ask others this question. We may ask Google this question. Like, how do you know if you're done havin...
Jun 24, 2024•19 min
On today's episode, Morgan Martin tells us about her three different pregnancy and birth experiences and how each one transformed her life and helped her grow along the way. In this episode, we dive into the following: Morgan's miscarriage with her first pregnancy and the book that was born from that experience. Her unplanned c-section story. Preparing for a VBAC and switching providers to find someone who was truly VBAC supportive. …and so much more! Morgan's Instagram: @morganreneemcintyre htt...
Jun 10, 2024•1 hr 2 min
Are you currently pregnant or recently postpartum? Are you questioning if you want to go back to work after maternity leave? Many of us have been there and it can be a hard decision to make for some women. If you are trying to figure out if being either a working mom, work from home mom, or stay at home mom is the best fit for your family, you'll want to listen to my chat with Mariela De Santiago. In this episode, we dive into: The desire to stay at home with your children but also still have a ...
May 27, 2024•27 min
As a doula and childbirth educator, my plan has been to have VBAC preparation courses for moms and VBAC training programs for doulas. BUT is a VBAC course really something women want or would other formats be more beneficial? Other options could be: Membership site 1:1 or group virtual doula support and VBAC education Patreon or premium podcast episodes A book Direct access to me via a Voxer membership (or something similar) I would love and appreciate your input and feedback as I want to make s...
May 22, 2024•11 min
You may be wondering whether or not you REALLY need a doula to have a VBAC. There are several potential benefits to having a doula but even with these general benefits of doulas, not all doulas are going to be beneficial to your birth experience. Is it really necessary to hire a doula for your VBAC? Is it possible to have a positive VBAC experience without one? Listen to this episode to find out my take as a VBAC mom and doula who specializes in VBAC. Check out the New Mom Talk podcast here . Te...
May 13, 2024•13 min
