The Cait Smith Podcast

Episode 3: VBAC and homebirth with Ashley Winning

In this episode I discuss vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC) homebirth and freebirth with Ashley Winning. Ashley is a VBAC Homebirth Mentor and Guide, Podcaster, Speaker, and she birthed her third baby at home unassisted after two surgical births. Ashley believes that women are born with the strength, wisdom and courage to birth and be the mothers they want to be. She works intimately with pregnant women who plan to have vaginal births after c-section / homebirth by working through fear and mindset challenges, while providing emotional support so that they feel heard, seen and validated while taking the steps to birth their baby their way. I found Ashley’s VBAC Homebirth podcast during my second pregnancy and loved listening to the amazing birth stories. Check out her podcast: https://ashleywinning.com/podcast/ In this episode we discussed:  * Ashley’s journey into birth work and starting her podcast; Her birth experiences - which included two unnecessary and traumatic c-sections; * Gestational diabetes diagnosis; * Being treated differently with a high BMI in the hospital system; * Her healing third birth which was a freebirth homebirth VBAC; * Being transferred to hospital after the birth and the breastfeeding challenges caused by hospital protocol; * Posterior birth - how this is a variation of normal; * Vaginal examinations.  You can find many VBAC and HBAC resources and support on Ashley’s website: www.ashleywinning.com *Disclaimer: The information discussed in this podcast episode is general information only and not medical advice.

Episode 2 - My discussion with Kristin White (birth doula, VBAC mentor and childbirth educator)

In this episode I had a great chat with Kristin White. For more information about Kristin check out her instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/kristinwhite.birtheducator?igsh=MXVsMnU2aG12Z2d1aw== We discuss: * Kristin’s background and what led her to get involved in childbirth education and work as a birth doula * Kristin’s birth’s (one cesarean, one hospital vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC) and one home birth VBAC) * VBAC education * Working as a doula in New Zealand and supporting women in home vs hospital births * Risk involved with c-sections - what often isn’t discussed (hysterectomy, adhesions, ectopic pregnancy) * How having a doula can help during your labour * VBAC rates in New Zealand * Uterine rupture and how small the risk actually is * Waterbirth * Home birth rates in New Zealand  * Induction of labour.

Episode 1 - Healing birth trauma with Carla Sargent

In this episode I discuss birth trauma with Carla Sargent, a healing birth practitioner. Carla has a background in midwifery and is based in Tauranga, New Zealand. Carla is the author of the book ‘Where the Heart is - Stories of home birth in New Zealand’, she provides birth trauma support, provides Healing Birth Practitioner Training, has an online birth preparation course (‘Soulful Birth’) and has a podcast. For more about Carla check out her website: healingbirth.co.nz In this episode we discuss:  * Carla’s background and her awesome home birth experiences with her three babies. * Midwifery in New Zealand.  * How Carla became involved in providing birth trauma support.  * What is birth trauma?  * Are birth trauma rates increasing?  * Rising rates of birth interventions contributing to the rise in birth trauma.  * Hospital vs home birth. Can you actually have a physiological birth in the hospital?  * Cascade of interventions in the hospital system.  * How can pregnant moms prevent themselves experiencing birth trauma with their first birth?