In this episode, I sit down with Kelsey, a Canadian mum of three now living in Newcastle, NSW, who walks us through her deeply contrasting birth experiences — from a marathon first labour, to a premature birth affected by pre-eclampsia, and finally, her powerful HBAC.
Kelsey’s story is a reminder that birth doesn’t follow a straight line. Each pregnancy asked something new of her, and each birth required its own kind of strength.
Her first baby arrived after more than 40 hours of labour, beginning at 40+5.
After labouring for 24 hours she was still only 1 cm dilated.
Her baby was posterior, her waters broke naturally, she eventually accepted an epidural, and after 48 hours of labour she had a vaginal birth — but her baby was taken to special care due to a low baseline heart rate and being born “floppy.”
Kelsey’s second pregnancy brought a new challenge: pre-eclampsia.
Her blood pressure spiked, and she was induced at 33 weeks.
Her baby spent two weeks in special care. This was a different experience, one that required patience and resiliance that was different to her first postpartum experience
This experience planted the seed for something different the next time, a birth where she felt supported, informed, and safe.
With her third baby, Kelsey planned a HBAC right at the last minute at 33 weeks. She always wanted to have a VBAC, but realised if she wanted to give this her best shot, her choice would be at home. She was able to connect with a midwife she felt comfortable with and got her husband on board, after watching the Birth Time movie with together.
This time, she felt grounded, prepared, and empowered — and she went on to achieve her dream of a HBAC at home, bringing her baby into the world surrounded by safety, warmth and support.
Kelsey credits much of her confidence and preparation to the incredible birth resources she leaned on, including:
⭐ Her own knowing and intuition
⭐ The Great Birth Rebellion Podcast
⭐ The VBAC Homebirth Stories Podcast
⭐ Birth Time (the documentary)
⭐ Hypnobirthing tools & education
These helped her understand her options, challenge the narratives she’d been given, and prepare herself emotionally and mentally for a different birth experience.
Enjoy this episode!
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Website: www.ashleywinning.com
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Disclaimer: The VBAC Homebirth Stories Podcast is for educational and inspirational purposes only. The stories and opinions shared are personal experiences and should not be considered medical advice. Every birth journey is unique, and we encourage you to research, trust your intuition, and consult with a qualified healthcare provider before making decisions about your pregnancy, birth, and postpartum care.
Ireland