In this powerful episode, we sit down with a midwife-turned-mama who planned two homebirths and ended up birthing in hospital under very different circumstanceswith her first baby. This raw and revealing story offers insight into what happens when the tables turn, and the one who usually supports birth journeys must navigate her own.

This is a VBAC story filled with nuance, informed decisions, intuitive pivots, and emotional depth.

✨ Inside this episode:

The reality of planning a publicly funded homebirth and what shifted her decision

How her waters breaking at 41 weeks kicked off a long and complex labour

What it was like transferring into hospital by ambulance

How she advocated for herself and said no to theatre

The physical and emotional toll of her first VBAC birth experience—being exhausted, having her consent disregarded, and feeling unsupported

How she worked with a trauma-informed counsellor to unpack her first birth and using breathwork.

Preparing for her second VBAC (Hazel's birth): iron infusions, chiropractic care, rest and self-nourishment

The impact of a supportive birth team: her midwife, and an amazing student doula

A powerful second VBAC at 1:30am, weighing in at 4.425kg, with spikey balls, birth combs, water injections and sheer inner strength

This is a must-listen for anyone planning a VBAC, working through birth trauma, or wanting to understand how deeply emotional and layered birth really is.

⭐️ Mentioned in This Episode:

VBAC planning and advocacy

Trauma-informed care

The importance of birth debriefing

The impact of truly supportive midwifery
Pain management strategies: water injections, rest, tools like spikey balls and combs

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Disclaimer: The VBAC Homebirth Stories Podcast is for educational and inspirational purposes only. The stories and opinions shared are personal experiences and should not be considered medical advice. Every birth journey is unique, and we encourage you to research, trust your intuition, and consult with a qualified healthcare provider before making decisions about your pregnancy, birth, and postpartum care.

EP164 | When the Midwife Becomes the Mother – She Planned a Homebirth Twice, Here’s What Changed

VBAC Homebirth Stories Podcast

EP164 | When the Midwife Becomes the Mother – She Planned a Homebirth Twice, Here’s What Changed