Ep 98 Description: 

“Once you have the facts, once you have confidence in your information, you have confidence in your decision. You don't need to justify that to anyone. It's not your job to educate the world unless you decide it is.” —Jen Kamel

VBAC— Vaginal Birth After Cesarean is a common yet controversial choice that many birthing people face. While the evidence has long supported VBAC as a safe option for most, widespread myths and misinformation continue to obscure the facts. 

In this episode, leading VBAC advocate Jen Kamel sets out to separate myth from reality once and for all. She delves into the numerous misconceptions that have taken hold over the years: from beliefs that VBAC is only suitable for a select few, to exaggerations of its risks, to the idea that repeat c-sections are always safer. 

Debra and Jen also discuss practical tips on finding supportive providers and navigating unsupportive opinions, the importance of fully informed consent, and the power of realizing one's autonomy in their birth decisions despite barriers.

For anyone with a personal or professional stake in empowering low-risk vaginal births, this can't-miss discussion is a must-listen to counter the barrage of VBAC myths and understand the option in its proper evidence-based light.

If you are a doula, nurse, midwife, or birth worker who would like to expand your practice with pleasure and Orgasmic Birth - Learn more at https://www.orgasmicbirth.com/orgasmic-birth-practitioner-training/ 

Debra also has a class on positively preparing for a cesarean or a VBAC vaginal birth after cesarean https://orgasmicbirth.thinkific.com/courses/cesarean-vbac 

Connect with Debra!

Website: https://www.orgasmicbirth.com 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/orgasmicbirth

Twitter: https://twitter.com/OrgasmicBirth 

YouTube https://www.youtube.com/c/OrgasmicBirth1 

Tik Tok https://www.tiktok.com/@orgasmicbirth 

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/debra-pascali-bonaro-1093471 

Episode Highlights:

02:47 Advocacy for Respectful Care

07:18 VBAC Risks, Candidacy, and Decision-Making

12:21 Finding Supportive Providers

16:59 VBAC Access and Midwifery Legislation

20:46 VBAC Rates and Barriers in the US  

25:29 VBAC Tools and Resources