Ep 98 Description:

“Once you have the facts, once you have confidence in your information, you have confidence in your decision. You don't need to justify that to anyone. It's not your job to educate the world unless you decide it is.” —Jen Kamel

VBAC— Vaginal Birth After Cesarean is a common yet controversial choice that many birthing people face. While the evidence has long supported VBAC as a safe option for most, widespread myths and misinformation continue to obscure the facts.

In this episode, leading VBAC advocate Jen Kamel sets out to separate myth from reality once and for all. She delves into the numerous misconceptions that have taken hold over the years: from beliefs that VBAC is only suitable for a select few, to exaggerations of its risks, to the idea that repeat c-sections are always safer.

Debra and Jen also discuss practical tips on finding supportive providers and navigating unsupportive opinions, the importance of fully informed consent, and the power of realizing one's autonomy in their birth decisions despite barriers.

For anyone with a personal or professional stake in empowering low-risk vaginal births, this can't-miss discussion is a must-listen to counter the barrage of VBAC myths and understand the option in its proper evidence-based light.

If you are a doula, nurse, midwife, or birth worker who would like to expand your practice with pleasure and Orgasmic Birth - Learn more at https://www.orgasmicbirth.com/orgasmic-birth-practitioner-training/

Debra also has a class on positively preparing for a cesarean or a VBAC vaginal birth after cesarean https://orgasmicbirth.thinkific.com/courses/cesarean-vbac

Connect with Debra!

Website: https://www.orgasmicbirth.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/orgasmicbirth

Twitter: https://twitter.com/OrgasmicBirth

YouTube https://www.youtube.com/c/OrgasmicBirth1

Tik Tok https://www.tiktok.com/@orgasmicbirth

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/debra-pascali-bonaro-1093471

Episode Highlights:

02:47 Advocacy for Respectful Care

07:18 VBAC Risks, Candidacy, and Decision-Making

12:21 Finding Supportive Providers

16:59 VBAC Access and Midwifery Legislation

20:46 VBAC Rates and Barriers in the US

25:29 VBAC Tools and Resources

Ep 97 Description:

“If that's something that I could encourage other pregnant people to do, is to try to have that clarity about their wants and their needs and their desires, and then to verbalize from a place of clarity to their provider. That inner state of clarity is very important in the conversation.” —Nicole Heidbreder

“My job was to not try to fix things and be more of a listener.” —Amir Niroumand

While vaginal birth is often seen as the ideal, for many birthing experts a medically-necessary cesarean section is the safest option. However, the sterility and clinical nature of surgery can make cesareans feel less personal than desired. But with intentional planning, cesareans can still honor a person's needs and vision for birth.

In this episode, we are joined by DONA International approved Birth doula trainer, Nicole Heidbreder and her partner, Amir Niromand. As a labor and delivery nurse and birth doula of many years, Nicole had clear visions for her own birth plans. However, after struggling to conceive for over a year and experiencing multiple miscarriages, she was forced to reconsider everything.

Nicole and Amir discuss their journey trying to conceive for over a year, which included multiple miscarriages. Nicole explains how her history as a labor and delivery nurse and doula led to shifting her birth plans after being diagnosed with fibroids. She details emotionally accepting surgery and a planned cesarean. Nicole created a supportive medical team and shares her vision for a "magnificent cesarean" honoring her, Amir, and their transition to parenthood, outlining her birth and postpartum plans.

Tune in and learn the importance of grieving loss, the role of clear communication with medical providers, the impact of community support, and the power of crafting a birth centered on the birthing person's needs, voice, and choice.

If you are a doula, nurse, midwife, or birth worker who would like to expand your practice with pleasure and Orgasmic Birth - Learn more at https://www.orgasmicbirth.com/orgasmic-birth-practitioner-training/

Debra also has a class on positively preparing for a cesarean or a VBAC vaginal birth after cesarean https://orgasmicbirth.thinkific.com/courses/cesarean-vbac

Connect with Debra!

Website: https://www.orgasmicbirth.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/orgasmicbirth

Twitter: https://twitter.com/OrgasmicBirth

YouTube https://www.youtube.com/c/OrgasmicBirth1

Tik Tok https://www.tiktok.com/@orgasmicbirth

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/debra-pascali-bonaro-1093471

Episode Highlights:

02:59 pregnancy and Loss

10:43 Shifting Birth Vision and Creating a Supportive team

16:42 Grief and Healing After Pregnancy Loss

20:48 Preparation for a Planned Cesarean Section

26:43 Postpartum Preferences

32:10 The Role of the Community in Providing Supportive Care

34:39 Honoring the Mother’s Voice and Choice

Ep 96 Description:

“Preparing ahead is important as birth trauma often happens when the unexpected happens, and your voice and choice are not heard or honored.” —Debra Pascali-Bonaro

While many expectant parents envision an ideal birth experience, it's important to prepare for the possibility that things may not unfold as planned. Complications can arise that require medical intervention for the health and safety of the mother and baby. A caring provider will discuss all options to find the best solution. Having discussed preferences for interventions like cesarean birth ahead of time allows expectant parents' voices to still be heard and choices respected, even when flexibility is needed. An open and understanding perspective and support system can help ensure that however birth transpires, it is still a meaningful experience bringing new life into the world.

Discover proven strategies to give your cesarean birth experience the love, care, and meaning you envision for welcoming your new baby into the world as your host, Debra, talks about how to positively prepare your mindset for the experience, discuss your preferences with your healthcare providers, and enhance the sensory aspects to allow delaying interventions. Plus learn how reflecting on your birth can help with processing and healing.

If you are a doula, nurse, midwife, or birth worker who would like to expand your practice with pleasure and Orgasmic Birth - Learn more at https://www.orgasmicbirth.com/orgasmic-birth-practitioner-training/

Debra also has a class on positively preparing for a cesarean or a VBAC vaginal birth after cesarean https://orgasmicbirth.thinkific.com/courses/cesarean-vbac

Connect with Debra!

Website: https://www.orgasmicbirth.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/orgasmicbirth

Twitter: https://twitter.com/OrgasmicBirth

YouTube https://www.youtube.com/c/OrgasmicBirth1

Tik Tok https://www.tiktok.com/@orgasmicbirth

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/debra-pascali-bonaro-1093471

Episode Highlights:

03:56 Enhancing Childbirth Experience Through Sensory Details

08:02 Cesarean Birth Choices and Support

14:06 Birth and Postpartum Care for a Safe and Supported Experience

17:59 Planning a Gentle Cesarean Birth