By Guest Blogger Aprille Donaldson

When I moved to the Triad in 2013, one of the first things I did was start Googling to try to find resources to prepare for a VBAC (vaginal birth after cesarean) in preparation for the birth of our next child. Our first child was born via a rather traumatic c-section at an Army hospital in Kentucky, and I was hopeful that, when the time came for us to have another, my experience would be different. I didn’t find much online at the time, and a lot of what I found was outdated information buried on old websites and blogs.

Two years later, when I found out I was expecting our second child, I had finally connected with more resources and starting preparing in earnest for a VBAC. While I was unable to fully achieve the birth that I wanted (you can read about that in more detail on my personal blog), my son’s trial of labor and repeat cesarean birth was a incredibly respectful and healing experience. The support that this community offered me was phenomenal.

Moms seeking a VBAC face unique challenges, both physically and emotionally. I would like to share some of the VBAC-friendly resources and support that this community offers. The following have been recommended by Triad VBAC moms. This list is not exclusive, so please leave a comment below if you have a local resource we should add to our list!

VBAC-Supportive Care Providers

Delivering at Women’s Hospital, Greensboro:

*Cone Health Medical Group Faculty Centers for Women’s Healthcare: locations in Kernersville, Stoney Creek (Whitsett), Greensboro (at Women’s Hospital), and Madison

(*CHMG Faculty has the lowest cesarean rate and highest VBAC success rate of all the practices that deliver at Women’s hospital)

Physicians for Women of Greensboro

Central Carolina OBGYN

Wendover OBGYN

 

Delivering at Novant Health/Forsyth Medical Center, Winston-Salem:

Triad Obstetrics and Gynecology – Lewis D. Lipscomb, M.D.

Novant Health Womancare

 

Delivering at Other Triad Hospitals:

Dr. Henry Dorn and Associates, delivering at High Point Regional Health System

Natural Beginnings Birth and Wellness Center, Statesville, NC (options available both for birth center birth and hospital birth at Davis Regional Medical Center; waterbirth available)

Central Carolina Women’s Health Center, delivering at Randolph Hospital, Asheboro.

 

Doulas with First-hand VBAC experience:

Jessica Pace of The Labor Ladies (HBAC mom)

Courtney Long (7-time VBAC / HBAC mom)

Mary Gillett (VBAC and CBAC mom)

Cameron Trader of Natural Baby Doulas (4-time VBAC mom)

{Find more amazing doulas here at the Piedmont Area Doula Associate website!}

 

Webster Certified Chiropractors

Read this post to learn more about the importance of chiropractic care in pregnancy when preparing for VBAC.

Tracey Smith, High Point Chiropractic

Kimberly Snider, The Family Chiropractor

Marla Molina, Physical Medicine of the Carolinas in Kernersville

LaTanya Bowman, Liringis Chiropractic in Winston-Salem

 

Other Resources

Angela Gallagher – North Joy Yoga Pregnancy Yoga Classes: Angela’s class focuses not only on relaxation and fitness during pregnancy but also on labor and birth preparation through yoga breathing and specific poses helpful to laboring mothers.

Triad NC VBAC Support Facebook group: this is an active Facebook group that shares resources, birth stories, and also has a monthly in-person Cesarean support group meeting in High Point.

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Aprille Donaldson is a twenty-something mom of two beautiful boys. She blogs about faith, veteran military life, motherhood, and special needs parenting at beautifulinhistime.com. You can also follow her on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram.