Are you a momma looking to go from a C-section to a medicated or unmedicated VBAC?

Are you considering doing a home birth, but are worried your history of breech babies or Caesareans?

Or - are you simply an avid listener of mine who has been wanting to be a fly on the wall and hear my birth story for baby #2?

If you said "yes" to any of these questions, then this episode is for you!

In today’s episode, I’m sharing my full VBAC birth story. Everything from what it looked like to pursue a vaginal birth after cesarean after my first child’s delivery ended in surgery. To asking the question, “Should I have a home birth or not?” To facing breech pregnancy fears, working with a midwife, and preparing for both the risks and advantages of a homebirth. Whatever it is, I’m taking you inside every step of my pregnancy for baby #2.

You’ll hear what surprised me most about my VBAC recovery versus C-section recovery, what I learned about tearing during birth and birth hematomas, and my honest perspective on whether vaginal or cesarean recovery is harder. I’ll also share what the HARDEST part of my mental hurdles — the fear of a repeat 48-hour labor, the doubt over my body’s progress, and how I finally delivered in just 14 hours.

If you’re pregnant, considering a VBAC in pregnancy, or curious about the pros and cons of homebirth, this story will give you insight, encouragement, and the reality behind one mom’s choice to write a new birth story.

And because easy, nutritious food was one of my greatest supports through pregnancy and postpartum recovery, I want to give you a FREE GIFT on this episode: my 60+ page family recipe book. Inside are 45 gluten free, grain free, and dairy free recipes — quick, nourishing, and perfect for moms juggling newborns and toddlers. Grab your copy at betterbellytherapies.com/recipes, then listen in to hear EXACTLY how I used this book to make my pregnancy and post-partum easier - and how you can, too.

00:00 - Introduction and Episode Overview

02:15 - Welcome to the Better Belly Podcast

03:24 - Preparing for a VBAC and Home Birth

05:30 - Prenatal Concerns and Preparations

11:53 - Health Focus During Pregnancy

20:20 - Labor and Delivery Experience

26:01 - Postpartum Recovery and Reflections

31:04 - Financial Aspects and Cost Sharing

34:40 - Conclusion and Upcoming Episodes

• 87// IBS and Pregnancy: My Top Tips for an IBS-Free Pregnancy
• 73// Surprise – I’m Pregnant!! How My First and Second Pregnancy Compare (Totally Different!) and How I Used Bloodwork to Overcome Miscarriage and Get Pregnant Again
• 197// How to Balance Postpartum Hormones After Pregnancy
• 245// The Best Air Filter...

Do you know what the hardest part of the fertility journey is for so many women?

It’s the two week wait.

That stretch of time after ovulation, when you’re hoping this will finally be the month… and battling TTC anxiety every single day until you know if you’re pregnant.

If you’ve ever been there, you know the two week wait can feel like two years. The questions, the Googling, the second-guessing every cramp or symptom. It’s exhausting. And it can make you feel like you’re losing trust in your own body.

That’s why, in today’s episode, I’m sitting down with Dr. Jane Levesque, a naturopathic doctor who specializes in fertility, women’s hormones, and supporting you in the emotional side of TTC.

Together, we’re unpacking practical ways to handle two week wait anxiety, build emotional resilience, and reconnect with your body while you’re trying to conceive.

Whether you’re in the thick of the two week wait right now, or just want to prepare yourself for the ups and downs of TTC, this episode will give you the clarity and encouragement you need to stop feeling broken and start feeling empowered.

P.S. Not TTC but trying to manage anxiety around healing your gut, autoimmune flares, or chronic issues like mold? This episode is ALSO for you! Listen in to learn Dr. Jane's TOP TIPS on managing anxiety that applies to all things health!

00:00 - Introduction to the Two Week Wait

00:34 - Meet Dr. Jane Levesque

02:51 - Podcast Collaboration and Episode Highlights

04:22 - Mastering the Two Week Wait

05:52 - Understanding Pregnancy and Fertility Challenges

09:14 - The Importance of Body Awareness and Trust

12:04 - Addressing Anxiety and Emotional Health

16:16 - The Role of Trauma and Mental Health in Fertility

23:13 - The Practitioner-Patient Relationship

28:28 - The Morning Bread Dilemma

29:00 - Finding Joy Beyond Food

31:07 - Holistic Approach to Health

33:38 - Setting Realistic Expectations

43:42 - Emotional Intelligence and Resilience

49:50 - The Healing Journey

• Better Belly Podcast Episodes:
• 49// 9 Reasons Your Supplements Aren’t Healing Your Gut
• Natural Fertility Podcast Episodes:
• 83// How to Know Where to Start On Your Fertility Journey
• 85// Egg Quality - How to Assess It and How to Improve It
• 47// Why the Supplements You're Taking Aren't Helping You Get Pregnant

• Dr. Jane's Website
• Follow Dr. Jane on Instagram: @drjanelevesque
• Listen to Dr. Jane's Podcast, Natural...

Do you know what’s happening in your body when you take birth control?

Most women are told about the obvious birth control side effects — a little weight gain, maybe some mood swings — but you have to work MUCH harder to find anyone talking about the deeper impacts on your brain, thyroid, gallbladder, gut, and even fertility.

That’s why today I’m talking with hormone expert Leisha Drews - mom of 3, RN, FDN-P, RCPC, Holistic Hormone Coach, and host of the Happily Hormonal Podcast. Leisha brings a wonderful understanding of how our body systems work together and how stress on the body and mind impact overall health.

Together, we’re tackling the dirty details of birth control:

• Different types of birth control available
• How they actually work in the body
• And the real birth control side effects you need to know before making a decision

Because the truth is — birth control side effects go far beyond what your doctor explains.

We’re talking changes to memory, mood, attraction, thyroid health, nutrient depletion, and even your risk of autoimmune disease.

So if you’ve ever wondered: birth control, how does it work? What are the real trade-offs? And what should you focus on if you’re thinking about coming off it? — then you are in the right place.

And whether you’re looking into birth control implants, birth control pills, birth control with no hormones, or a birth control patch… whatever type of birth control you’re considering — this episode is for you.

• 00:00 - Intro
• 00:19 - Guest Introduction
• 00:45 - Birth Control Overview
• 04:15 - Types and Mechanisms
• 06:42 - Hormonal Birth Control Effects
• 18:20 - Brain Effects
• 25:23 - Gut and Gallbladder
• 32:17 - Thyroid and Nutrient Depletion
• 40:34 - Copper IUD Discussion
• 50:05 - Fertility Awareness Method
• 55:55 - Outro/Contact Info

• 241// Gallbladder Disease Symptoms and How to Naturally Treat Gallstones and Avoid Gallbladder Surgery
• Happily Hormonal Episodes mentioned:
• E165: How Hormonal Birth Control Affects the Gut and How to Replenish & Restore Gut Health Post Pill
• E166: Restoring Minerals & Liver Detox Post Birth Control

• Leisha's Website
• Follow Leisha on Instagram: @leishadrews
• Listen to Leisha's Podcast, Happily Hormonal!
• Take Leisha's FREE Hormone Imbalance...