Hayley had always dreamed of becoming a mother and couldn’t wait to experience the pregnancy and birth. After planning a birth center birth with her first baby, everything changed when she learned her baby was a breech, resulting in a C-section after she couldn’t find a provider who offered a vaginal birth when she needed it.
Before becoming pregnant again, Hayley immersed herself in learning about VBAC and evidence-based birth. She shares how she carefully chose a VBAC-friendly provider, hospital, and doula, only to find out at 33 weeks that her second baby was also a breech.
This conversation explores the importance of informed decision-making, supportive providers, and knowing your options. Hayley’s story offers encouragement for anyone navigating a pregnancy, planning a VBAC, or advocating for their own birth experience.
A first birth that didn’t go as planned
Hayley had healthy pregnancies with no complications and was looking forward to giving birth in a birthing center with her first baby. Late in the pregnancy, she discovered her baby was breech and did everything she could to encourage the baby to turn.
She also searched extensively for a provider willing to attend a vaginal birth, but ultimately underwent a C-section due to persistent brachial presentation. Although grateful for a healthy baby, she knew she wanted to explore all her options if she got pregnant again.
Preparing for a VBAC
Even before trying to conceive her second baby, Hayley began researching VBAC-friendly hospitals, providers, and doulas. She wanted to be surrounded by a birth team that supported vaginal birth after C-section and respected shared decision-making.
When she got pregnant, she was excited and looking forward to the VBAC she was preparing for.
Another rock diagnosis
At 33 weeks, Hayley received unexpected news – her second baby was also a turtleneck. While she was frustrated, she immediately contacted an experienced birthing provider and once again tried several techniques to encourage her baby to turn.
Despite all her efforts, her baby remained a rock for the rest of the pregnancy.
A non-medicated VBAC key
With the support of an experienced provider, a trusted doula, and a hospital team that respected her birth goals, Hayley chose to pursue a planned vaginal birth. She welcomed her second baby through a drug-free VBAC, an experience she describes as everything she could have hoped for and more.
Her story is a testament to the value of education, advocacy, and finding a care team that supports evidence-based birth choices.
Haley is a mom of two, postpartum doula, geek, and nanny who lives in the suburbs of Denver, Colorado with her husband and kids. She loves supporting growing families and is passionate about evidence-based childbirth education, VBAC advocacy, and helping parents feel informed during pregnancy, birth, and postpartum.
You can connect with Hayley on Instagram at @hsinlag or join the discussion in the comments in the show notes.
Breech Birth Education
- Breech Without Borders — An organization dedicated to the education and training of providers in safe vaginal delivery.
- Coalition for the Birth of the Rock — Support and educational resources that support informed choice for families navigating pregnancies.
Podcasts
Additional resources
- The VBAC link — Education, support and community for families planning vaginal delivery after C-section.
- VBAC details — Evidence-based information about VBAC, repeat caesarean section and informed consent.
- Spinning babies — Techniques and resources designed to encourage optimal fetal position during pregnancy.
- Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth — A classic resource featuring empowering birth stories and information about natural childbirth.
In some cases, yes. Hayley’s provider was experienced in attending vaginal births and, because she was a suitable candidate, was able to safely plan a VBAC in the hospital without medication.
Hayley experienced two consecutive breech pregnancies. Although she tried many techniques to encourage her second baby to turn, she also researched all her birth options and found a provider experienced in vaginal birth.
For carefully selected pregnancies with an experienced provider and appropriate hospital support, it can be. Hayley’s story highlights how personalized care and evidence-based counseling helped her achieve the birth she had hoped for.
Finding an experienced provider often requires research. Hayley recommends learning from organizations like Breech Without Borders, the Coalition for Breech Birth, VBAC Facts, and other evidence-based resources to better understand your options and connect with supportive providers.
The Birth Hour is a birth story podcast hosted by Bryn Huntpalmer. With over 1,000 episodes and 27 million downloads, it’s one of the longest-running pregnancy and birth podcasts in the world. New episodes are posted every week—no medication, epidural, home birth, hospital birth, c-section, VBAC and everything in between.
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SPONSOR
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