Best High Risk Birth Stories Podcasts (2024)

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Episode 68: Mom Stories- Ashley shares Willow's Story 50:28

2h ago50:28

50:28

Send Jen a Text Message In this heartfelt episode, Ashley shares her deeply personal story of loss, grief, and healing after losing her daughter, Willow, at nearly 37 weeks. She talks about the emotional rollercoaster of her pregnancy, the trauma of discovering Willow's heartbeat was gone, and the subsequent emergency C-section. Ashley discusses th…

1
We put an offer on a house 58:10

2d ago58:10

58:10

Matt & Abby discuss their new house offer, share insights from their journey with online fame, and reflect on Matt's experience auditioning for 'The Voice.' This episode is sponsored by Kleenex, Factor & ZocDoc. Kleenex: For this Allergy season, grab Kleenex and face allergies head on! Factor: Head to https://factormeals.com/unplanned50 and use cod…

1
Episode 312 VBAC Basics with Meagan & Julie 59:49

2d ago59:49

59:49

This episode goes back to the basics and is a great place to start on your VBAC journey! Julie joins Meagan today as they talk about many common questions beginning with reasons why providers tell women they can’t go for a VBAC. Topics today include: Nuchal cords Big babies Small pelvises Arrest of descent Third-trimester ultrasounds Cervical dilat…

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Ep 263: Erica’s Birth Story - Loving Every Moment of Birth 43:22

3d ago43:22

43:22

Erica experienced two miscarriages prior to the birth story we're going to hear today. After over a year and a half of heartbreaking loss, this pregnancy was completely normal - no nausea, no sickness, no pain. Now at 38 weeks, some symptoms developed that caused her doctor to recommend induction. Erica wanted an unmedicated birth and you’re going …

1
Episode 311 Sami's VBAC After an Unexpected Breech Cesarean 41:49

5d ago41:49

41:49

Upon arriving at the hospital during her first labor, Sami was told that her baby’s heart rate wasn’t stable, Pitocin was necessary, and a C-section was most likely going to be the safest mode of delivery. After laboring for a while, she was wheeled to the OR but the anesthesiologist was running behind schedule. Sami was checked and discovered she …

1
Episode 67:Healing Through Self-Love and Forgiveness with Dr. Heather Browne 46:34

8d ago46:34

46:34

Send Jen a Text Message In this episode, we welcome back Dr. Heather Browne, the author of 'Speaking with the Heart,' to discuss the importance of self-love and releasing guilt. Dr. Browne shares profound insights and real-life stories about dealing with the past, the impact of guilt, and how to move forward with compassion for oneself. She also di…

1
Episode 310 Kristen's Healing VBAC with a Special Scar 46:23

9d ago46:23

46:23

Every pregnancy and birth experience is different. That is true for everyone, but especially for Kristen. Kristen joins us from Provo, Utah, and shares her experiences with an initial vaginal birth, a diagnosis of omphacele with a Cesarean and infant loss with her second that left her with a special scar, an induced, medicated hospital VBAC with he…

1
Unclogging My Milk Duct, Co-Sleeping & Our Motel Nightmare 1:04:11

9d ago1:04:11

1:04:11

Matt and Abby share their hilarious experience with a clogged milk duct, co-sleeping with Griffin, and Matt's motel room snake nightmare. This episode is sponsored by Dreamland Baby, Prose, ShipStation & Rocket Money. Dreamland Baby: Go to https://dreamlandbabyco.com and enter code UNPLANNED at checkout to receive 20% off sitewide + free shipping. …

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[A Dr. Nicole Favorite] What Is a Physiologic Birth and How Do You Have One in the Hospital? 53:57

10d ago53:57

53:57

Real talk: things have been a little crazy for me these past couple weeks and I didn’t have an opportunity to record a new episode. So, I decided to pick one of my favorites to replay: physiologic birth. The reason I chose this is because it’s a term that gets mentioned a lot on social media but doesn’t get defined. It’s also a term that -quite hon…

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Episode 309 How to Tell if the VBAC/HBAC Information You See is Real or Fake 33:04

11d ago33:04

33:04

Julie Francom joins Meagan on the podcast to talk about checking the validity of the information you see surrounding VBAC. There is so much information out there and so much misinformation that we want to help you figure out what is actually evidence-based! Julie and Meagan draw on their personal experiences with making corrections to information t…

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S9 E6: Creating a great parent-child relationship 1:12:40

11d ago1:12:40

1:12:40

Today's episode is extra special because it is a conversation with my beautiful son Leroy, who is now 22 years old. We start our dialogue about what constitutes a good relationship and then explore what fosters that. We ended up going into some deep dives about education and values at home, the importance of community and teachers, the importance o…

1
Be the Best Version of Your Playing Self Under the White Hot Audition Lights feat. Micah Wilkinson 49:41

12d ago49:41

49:41

Welcome to the show. Today we’re tackling a topic that sends chills down the spines of many: mastering auditions. Whether you’re aiming for a spot in an orchestra, prepping for a college jury, or even gearing up for that pivotal job interview, the anxiety and fear of auditions is a universal experience. Auditions can feel like stepping into the unk…

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Episode 308 Shannon's VBA3C + Doubt From Her Delivery Team 44:14

17d ago44:14

44:14

“I did it. They said I couldn’t, but I did it.” When planning for her VBA3C, Shannon got just about as much kickback as someone can get. She was ambushed. She was coerced. She was given the scariest information. Shannon joins us from England today and talks about how each of her four births brought her to where she is today. By the time she was pre…

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Jinger Duggar Vuolo and Jeremy Vuolo on Growing Up Duggar, Courtship & Baby #3 1:33:52

16d ago1:33:52

1:33:52

Jinger & Jeremy discuss life growing up in the Duggar household, their courtship, and their plans for baby no. 3 This episode is sponsored by Liquid IV, Huggies, BetterHelp & DoorDash. Liquid IV: Get 20% off your first order of Liquid I.V. when you go to https://LiquidIV.com and use code UNPLANNED at checkout. Huggies: Learn more at Huggies.com. On…

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Ep 262: Birth Trauma With Licensed Clinical Social Work and Birth Trauma Survivor Kayleigh Summers 54:39

18d ago54:39

54:39

It’s a miracle that today’s guest, Kayleigh Summers, is even alive. She is an amniotic fluid embolism survivor and went into cardiac arrest twice during labor. When you hear her story, you’re going to be blown away. This lived-experience led her to center her career around perinatal trauma. As a licensed clinical social worker, she is supporting fa…

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Episode 307 Dr. Christina Pinnock + High-Risk Situations & What They Mean for TOLAC 57:59

19d ago57:59

57:59

Dr. Christina Pinnock is a Maternal Fetal Medicine Specialist/Perinatologist based in California and creator of the ZerotoFour Podcast. She is here to help us tackle topics like what constitutes a high-risk pregnancy, lupus, preeclampsia, HELLP syndrome, gestational diabetes, fibroids, and bicornuate uteruses and how they relate to VBAC. The overar…

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From “Musical Purgatory” to Leading Advocate for Embouchure Health and Focal Dystonia Recovery feat. Marcus Reynolds 1:01:17

20d ago1:01:17

1:01:17

We welcome to the podcast Marcus Reynolds, who with his Stratos Brass device has provided a beacon of hope for the thousands of brass players across the globe who struggle with embouchure issues. Like many great triumphs in life, Marcus' journey to becoming a tireless promoter of safer and healthier brass playing began with a tragedy. A major lip i…

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Episode 66: Julie Shapiro: Navigating Grief and Empowering Change Through Aubrey's Advocate 52:17

22d ago52:17

52:17

Send Jen a Text Message Julie Shapiro's Journey: From Devastating Loss to New Purpose Julie Shapiro recounts her deeply personal and heartbreaking journey through stillbirth, grieving during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the steps she took to create Aubrey's Advocate, a non-profit organization providing support for parents who have experienced similar…

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Episode 306 Kelsey's Birth Center VBAC + Talk About Forceps 1:10:44

23d ago1:10:44

1:10:44

Our friend, Kelsey, shares with us today what giving birth is like in Canada. From moving and traveling between provinces, Kelsey had experienced different models of care and when it came time to prepare for her VBAC, she was very proactive about choosing a birth environment where she felt safest. From a scary Cesarean under general anesthesia to a…

1
Sam and Monica on Marrying a Brit, Losing My Mom to Cancer & Consulting a Psychic 1:42:00

23d ago1:42:00

1:42:00

Sam and Monica discuss cultural differences between the U.S. and England in their relationship, Sam's loss of his mother to cancer, and their experience consulting a psychic. This episode is sponsored by Claritin, Hiya, Rocket Money & Lume. Claritin: Go to https://claritin.com for a discount so you can Live Claritin Clear. Hiya: Go to https://hiyah…

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Ep 261: Nicole’s Birth Story - The Line Between Pain and Suffering 57:35

25d ago57:35

57:35

Sometimes a “beautiful” birth doesn’t mean getting what you wanted - it means making the right decisions for yourself along the way. After being stuck at 5 cm for TWELVE HOURS, Nicole decided that it was time to change course. I’ll give away that she did have a vaginal birth, but it was nothing like she planned or anticipated. In this Episode, You’…

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Episode 305 Perinatal Fitness with Gina Conley from MamasteFit 51:09

26d ago51:09

51:09

The amazing Gina Conley from MamasteFit joins Meagan today to answer your questions all about perinatal fitness! Gina is a birth doula, perinatal fitness trainer, and founder of MamasteFit. In partnership with her sister, Roxanne, who is a labor and delivery nurse and student-midwife, MamasteFit is a place for women to find education courses and …

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How to Play Great Without Hurting Yourself + Insider Stories From the Hollywood Scene feat. the Great Malcolm McNab 1:22:47

26d ago1:22:47

1:22:47

Malcolm McNab is quite possibly the greatest trumpeter in the world that you've never heard of. I recall a friend of mine back in 2008-09 timeframe putting in Malcolm's CD Exquisite, and being unable to believe what I was hearing. The range, the accuracy, the musicality. My friend said something along the lines of, "This is the guy who played the l…

1
Learn About a Crazy Concoction that May Improve the Grip on the Mouthpiece 17:01

28d ago17:01

17:01

Body + Mind + Spirit = Mastery. Now available is a collection of excerpts from some of the most popular episodes of the Trumpet Dynamics podcast featuring the likes of Chris Coletti, Sergei Nakariakov, Manny Laureano, and more. It's a FREE download available right now on brassmastery.com! Mentioned in this episode: CTA Look us up on the web at bras…

1
Episode 65: Improving High-Risk Pregnancy Outcomes with Parijat Deshpande 35:07

30d ago35:07

35:07

Send Jen a Text Message Parijat Deshpande is the founder and CEO of Ruvelle, the only trauma-informed wellness company specifically dedicated to improving high-risk pregnancy outcomes, reducing preterm birth, and supporting parents on the entire high-risk pregnancy journey. On a mission to end the high-risk pregnancy crisis, she has served and supp…

1
Episode 304 Aisha's Surprise Breech HBAC 51:31

1M ago51:31

51:31

Aisha’s first baby was a scheduled Cesarean for a breech presentation during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Though she was symptom-free, Aisha tested positive for COVID and was not able to be with her husband or her baby right after birth. Her surgery was routine and uneventful, but the isolation left her devastated. Aisha moved and was livin…

1
Selling Our House, Boycotting Father’s Day & Quitting Breastfeeding 1:10:15

1M ago1:10:15

1:10:15

Matt and Abby argue about selling their house, discuss their decision to boycott Father's Day this year and reflect on Abby's completed breastfeeding journey. This episode is sponsored by ARMRA, Kleenex & ZocDoc. ARMRA: Go to https://TryARMRA.com/UNPLANNED or enter UNPLANNED to get 15% off your first order. Kleenex: For this Allergy season, grab Kl…

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Ep 260: Pregnancy & GBS (Group B Strep) - Updated! 36:35

1M ago36:35

36:35

Group B strep, or GBS, is a relatively common bacterial infection found in the gastrointestinal and genitourinary tracts. Most people can be carriers and not have any symptoms. However, GBS can present problems for newborns and during pregnancy. I’m doing this episode because some changes have been made since I first covered this topic back in 2019…

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Episode 303 Kristen's 2VBAC Stories with Preeclampsia 54:24

1M ago54:24

54:24

Kristen joins us today to share her tough C-section and two beautiful VBAC stories! After a 41-week elective induction that turned into a C-section and a 2.5-week NICU stay due to meconium and heart decelerations, Kristen was very nervous about giving birth again. She found The VBAC Link Podcast and found hope. Through her VBAC research, she gained…

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Being Okay With Being “Unokay” and Overcoming Shame to Achieve Peak Performance feat. Jason Bergman 49:25

1M ago49:25

49:25

Body + Mind + Spirit = Mastery. Now available is a collection of excerpts from some of the most popular episodes of the Trumpet Dynamics podcast featuring the likes of Chris Coletti, Sergei Nakariakov, Manny Laureano, and more. It's a FREE download available right now on brassmastery.com! brassmastery.com/bergman When I first approached Jason Bergm…

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Episode 64: How do I live my life now that it feels so different? 21:41

1M ago21:41

21:41

Send Jen a Text Message Losing a baby is one of the most devastating experiences anyone can go through. As a mother, the dreams you had for your child and the life you envisioned are shattered. It feels like a piece of your heart has been taken away, leaving you to navigate a world that suddenly feels unrecognizable. Life is different now, and the …

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Episode 302 Emily's CBAC + How Views Can Change 55:33

1M ago55:33

55:33

Emily’s first birth experience was a home birth turned hospital transfer which ended in a C-section and then a birth center VBAC ending in hospital transfer and another C-section with her second. She found herself feeling alone, frustrated, and surrounded by people who just didn't get it as she worked to process the trauma and grief of not one but …

1
Cash & Kate on Saving Kissing for Marriage, UTIs & Getting Engaged in High School 1:29:48

1M ago1:29:48

1:29:48

Cash and Kate discuss saving kissing for marriage, dealing with UTIs, and getting engaged in high school. Tune in for their unique journey and insights! This episode is sponsored by Huggies, DoorDash, Factor and Claritin. Huggies: Baby Butts Rejoice! New Huggies Skin Essentials are here. Learn more at https://Huggies.com DoorDash: Sign up for DashP…

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Ep 259: Understanding the Link Between Feeding & Sleep with Hillary Sadler of Baby Settler 48:42

1M ago48:42

48:42

So many parents feel like they have to choose between sleep and breastfeeding and today’s guest, Hillary Sadler, says that's not the case - and she knows what she’s talking about! A registered nurse, International Board Certified Lactation Consultant, and mom of four, Hilary is a true expert in the art of balancing feeding and sleep. Getting enough…

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Episode 301 Janelle's Beautiful VBAC + Signs of PPD + What is Vaginal Cleansing? 53:22

1M ago53:22

53:22

Today’s episode is full of love. Meagan’s doula partner, Christin Carlson, joins as co-host today to hear their client, Janelle, share her beautiful VBAC story. Janelle’s first baby was determined to stay frank breech even after two ECV attempts. Her water broke on its own before her scheduled date. In prep for her surgery, Janelle unexpectedly exp…

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Episode 300 with Meagan & Julie + Where We Started & Where We Are Now 43:26

2M ago43:26

43:26

We can hardly believe that we have recorded 300 episodes! Meagan brings Julie on the podcast today to take a look back at how The VBAC Link Podcast started, the growth they have both experienced along the way and where they are now. Since 2018, we have shared laughter, tears, heartache, and joy through your stories. Thank you to all of our listener…

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Bradley Steven Perry & Jake Short on Life After Disney, Dating Sabrina Carpenter & Intimate Scenes 1:39:14

1M ago1:39:14

1:39:14

Join us as we dive into life after Disney with special guests Bradley Steven Perry and Jake Short. Plus, get an inside look at dating Sabrina Carpenter and filming intimate scenes. This episode is sponsored by Hiya, BetterHelp, Rocket Money & Liquid IV. Hiya: Go to https://hiyahealth.com/UNPLANNED and receive 50% off your first order. Get your kids…

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Ep 258: Jodi’s Birth Story - Forceps With No Pain Medication 55:22

2M ago55:22

55:22

For many parents, selecting where they’re going to give birth is an important part of the planning process. However, Jodi lives on a small island with only one hospital and didn’t have a choice in the matter. Though she and her baby are healthy, the birth was intensely challenging. Jodi’s pain went under-treated and many procedures were done withou…

1
Episode 299 Katie's Healing VBAC + Home Birth Transfer 1:11:33

2M ago1:11:33

1:11:33

Katie joins us today to tell us about her two birth experiences in Germany. Although she strongly advocated for herself during her first birth, Katie was extremely mistreated. Her labor and horrible C-section experience left her with intense PTSD straining her relationship with both her baby and her husband. Katie knew that if she wanted to have an…

1
Listener Q&A: 2 vessel umbilical cord 10:10

2M ago10:10

10:10

Normally the umbilical cord has 3 vessels - 2 arteries and one vein. What does it mean when your baby's umbilical cord has 2 vessels instead of 3? How do you know if this is a concern for your baby? I answer this listener question from Jessica in this episode! If you have a question you'd like me to answer, shoot me a DM on Instagram @drnicoleranki…

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Episode 63: Mary Matt's Unforgettable Journey: Carrying Her Stillborn Baby Until the Miraculous Birth of His Twin 37:44

2M ago37:44

37:44

Send Jen a Text Message I can never get enough of hearing other loss mom's stories and I love bringing their lives into the room because each one is so special and unique. Mary Matt bravely shares her incredible story of the birth of her twinless twin and how she carried him for many weeks knowing she would say hello and goodbye at the same time sh…

1
Episode 298 Jenny's VBAC After Baby Was Breech + Intense Travel 1:05:37

2M ago1:05:37

1:05:37

Jenny’s story is one of pure gratitude and joy. She is so grateful to be a mother, for the miracle of her pregnancies, for a breech baby who flipped late in her second pregnancy, for the chance to experience labor, and for a beautiful, successful VBAC. Jenny talks about all of the ways she prepped and how she even had to travel over a mountain pass…

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'charity: water' founders on Life Without Clean Water, Living in a Leprosy Colony & Risking Crocodile Attacks 1:46:51

2M ago1:46:51

1:46:51

This week we were joined by Scott & Vik Harrison from "charity: water". They shared stories of life in developing countries without clean water. People who share water sources with crocodiles, drink water with leeches in them and water that more closely resembles chocolate milk. DONATE TO CHARITY: https://charitywater.org/UNPLANNED This episode is …

1
Ep 257: Everything You Need To Know About The Prenatal Tests You’ll Get During Pregnancy 31:10

2M ago31:10

31:10

In this episode, you'll learn all the tests that are recommended during pregnancy. I’ll break things down by trimester and talk about why the tests are done and what the results of the tests mean. You can use this information to prepare for upcoming tests or go back and ask questions about ones that were done in the past. The bulk of testing is don…

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Episode 297 Macy's Amazing HBA2C + What Does the Evidence Show for VBA2C? 44:22

2M ago44:22

44:22

Macy’s first birth was a scheduled C-section due to breech presentation that required follow-up exploratory surgery due to an unknown cause of internal bleeding. Unfortunately, her surgeon had accidentally nicked an ab muscle. Macy’s recovery was very difficult. With her second, doctors were nervous about her chances of VBAC and would only let her …

1
You've been told you're "high risk". What exactly does that mean? 10:06

2M ago10:06

10:06

The term high risks gets used a lot and can mean very different things depending on your unique circumstances. Learn what "high risk" actually means as well as questions you need to ask if you've been told you're "high risk". Join me in my free LIVE class Make A Birth Plan The Right Way! Grab your seat at drnicolerankins.com/birthplan Our Sponsors:…

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Episode 62: At The Right Time- Lessons in Loss with Nikki Scott 41:58

2M ago41:58

41:58

Send Jen a Text Message My two favorite worlds came together when I got to interview Nikki Scott and talk about all things business, books, and how she navigated the loss of her sister and her husband and many dreams she had for her future along with them. Nikki is a salon owner and a loss mom who suffered one devastating loss after another. She wr…

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Episode 296 Brooke's VBAC with a Subchorionic Hematoma 1:10:12

2M ago1:10:12

1:10:12

“Control what you can control.” Brooke’s birth experiences have not been without challenges. She first had an extremely difficult miscarriage during COVID followed by intense bleeding due to massive subchorionic hemorrhages during her other two pregnancies. Her first delivery was a very traumatic C-section from not being completely anesthetized. Af…

1
Getting Body Shamed & Starting an Argument 1:20:50

2M ago1:20:50

1:20:50

Matt & Abby have a disagreement about parenting styles on camera, share their excitement about their upcoming 5th wedding anniversary, and Abby addresses comments about her postpartum body. This episode is sponsored by Kleenex, Skylight, ARMA & DoorDash. Kleenex: For this allergy season, grab Kleenex and face allergies head on! Skylight Calendar: G…

1
Ep 256: Fed is Best with The Formula Mom, Mallory Whitmore 43:50

2M ago43:50

43:50

Mallory Whitmore knows her stuff about formula! She’s a certified infant feeding tech, leader of education at Bobbie–the only mom-founded and mom-run U.S. formula brand–and she’s the face behind The Formula Mom, an online platform for infant feeding info and support. To be clear, she’s not against breastfeeding, quite the opposite in fact! Her miss…

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High Risk Birth Stories Podcasts

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