11: Olivia’s birth stories — choosing VBAC with a private obstetrician and doula after an unplanned caesarean during COVID

Birth Choices

In this episode we hear from physio and internal pelvic release practitioner, Olivia, about the births of her two sons. Olivia received private midwifery care in her first pregnancy. Her plans for homebirth changed when she chose induction at 41+3, and Olivia talks us through her experience of birthing in hospital without the support of her private midwife due to covid restrictions, and the unplanned emergency caesarean section under general anaesthetic that followed. Olivia reflects on the damaging narratives around people who have birth preferences (or plan to birth at home), and her and her husband’s experiences of trauma from that birth, and how that shaped her selection of care provider for her healing VBAC that followed — a carefully selected private obstetrician with the additional support of a doula. We also touch on the role of physio in pregnancy, birth preparation and postpartum recovery (including, wait for it, reaching your ‘poo potential’), and what internal pelvic release and training from Fiona Hallinan has brought to her practice.
Links:

• Find out more about Olivia’s work as a physio at Health Canvas or via @physio.therapeutic.yoga.
• Olivia is available for internal pelvic release work at Health Canvas and in June and July at The Pelvic Space.
• Read more about shared care with a private midwife (Olivia engaged MAMA Midwives) and other models of care via our care provide guide

Chapters:

(19:11) First birth — the morning of 41+3
(33:39) First postpartum and recovery
(38:05) Second pregnancy — planning for a VBAC
(49:04) Second birth

Chapters

1. 11: Olivia’s birth stories — choosing VBAC with a private obstetrician and doula after an unplanned caesarean during COVID (00:00:00)

2. First birth — the morning of 41+3 (00:19:11)

3. First postpartum and recovery (00:33:39)

4. Second pregnancy — planning for a VBAC (00:38:05)

5. Second birth (00:49:04)