Episode 253 Sarah's VBAC with a Family Doctor

Today on the podcast, Sarah joins us from Minnesota. Sarah got COVID-19 very early on in her first pregnancy during the height of the pandemic. The protocol at her practice was to recommend a precautionary 39-week induction. Sarah trusted her doctor and consented to the induction along with other interventions that were suggested. Her birth ended in a Cesarean under general anesthesia. 
During recovery, Sarah’s knees would buckle to the point where she needed assistance walking and fell until the problem slowly resolved. When she achieved her VBAC, Sarah was able to immediately walk unassisted. She wasn’t groggy from just having had anesthesia. Her throat didn’t hurt. She got the immediate skin-to-skin she missed the first time.
Sarah is such an amazing example of how powerful a VBAC birth can be, especially with the right prep and the right team. We just love how hands-off and supportive her doctor was. Sarah went into her birth mentally and physically strong. She labored hard, stayed calm, and pushed her baby boy out in 20 minutes!
Additional LinksNeeded WebsiteHow to VBAC: The Ultimate Prep Course for ParentsFull Transcript under Episode Details
Meagan: Welcome to The VBAC Link. We have a story for you today coming from Minnesota. We have our friend, Sarah. And Sarah, tell me. Did you have your babies both in Minnesota or have you moved since then? 
Sarah: Yes, both in Minnesota. 
Meagan: Both in Minnesota. All right, so Minnesota parents, listen up. This is a wonderful episode in your area. 
Review of the Week
As always, we have a Review of the week but first I want to talk a little bit about COVID-19. Sarah and I were just talking about how we have seen so many COVID-19 stories coming through. They had their C-section through COVID-19 or even had their VBAC during COVID-19 and then now they have gone on to VBAC. 
There is definitely a trend of situations that we are seeing so I’m just so curious today. Go comment on today’s episode and let us know if you have any relation, but a lot of providers are wanting to induce if you have the virus, COVID-19. Sarah, that was kind of the case with you, right? They wanted to induce because you had COVID-19. 
Sarah: Yes. That was kind of the standard of care at that point. 
Meagan: Yes, which is kind of interesting to think about the new standard of care. I really am curious to see one day what the Cesarean rates did during COVID-19. You know, there is some evidence here and there on it, but I’m really curious to see what the Cesarean rate did because we do have a lot of people saying that they were induced because they had COVID and then they ended in a Cesarean. So we’re going to talk a little bit. She’s going to share her birth and her induction story that then led to her VBAC. 
But of course, we have that review. It is by Raving Abbeh and the title is “Confidence.” It says, “I found this podcast at 34 weeks pregnant and it helped me gain the confidence to fight for my chance and get a VBAC. I hope to submit a success story in a few weeks.” 
And guess what? This was also during 2020, so Raving Abbeh, if you haven’t submitted your story, we would love you to and as always, you guys, we’re always accepting stories. We definitely record in chunks, so know that if it takes time, that doesn’t mean you haven’t been chosen or you will never