- Labor at home, for as long as humanly possible. I am talking till your about to feel the urge to push!
- Find a VBAC friendly Midwife or OB. Ask for references and statistics from your provider. Ask alot of "what-if" scenario questions. Be prepared to switch providers if you feel they are not on the same page as you.
- Become super knowledgeable! Learn all you can about every hospital procedure during birth and its positives and negatives. Read as much as you can to inform yourself about everything involved with a natural birth.
- In addition to reading books about the process of birth, I believe it is very important to read tons of positive birth stories. I especially found the stories in Ina May Gaskin's book: Guide to Childbirth very inspiring and uplifting.
- Hire a DOULA! According to Mothering the Mother: How a Doula Can HelpYou Have a Shorter Easier and Healthier Birth, Klaus, Kennell, and Klaus (1993) a doula can reduce your chance of having a cesarean by 50%! Not to mention the knowledge to be able to provide emotional and physical support in a time when you need more than anything else. Doulas can be a life-saver, a sanity saver, and a blessing to your vbac. I know this from experience. My doula helped me find my center during the time when I thought I would loose it all.
- Take care of yourself. Eating healthy and exercising are both essential to any pregnancy. You are what you eat, right? Prenatal yoga can teach you how to center yourself, stretch your muscles, and loosen your anxiety.
- Get connected with other VBAC-ers. They have been where you are, and can offer you support and encouragement. A great resource for this is through ICAN and their meetings.
