Vaginal birth after TWO cesareans? Yes please..
After Two C-Sections, I Finally Birthed My Baby My Way.
Bringing a baby into the world after two previous cesareans is no small thing. This birth story is one of reclaiming trust in the body, making informed choices, and having support that truly holds space — physically, emotionally, and spiritually.
This incredible mama, Hela, welcomed her third baby in June 2025, just 17 months after her second cesarean. Despite medical hesitation and emotional & physical scars from previous births, she chose to trust herself — and went on to experience the spontaneous, vaginal birth she deeply desired.
A Quick Recap of Hela’s Birth History:
First birth (Nov 2022): Induction at 41+3 → fetal distress → emergency C-section
Second birth (Jan 2024): AROM at 41 weeks → fetal distress → repeat C-section with uterine scar extension
Third birth (June 2025): Spontaneous labour at 39+6 → Epidural at 6cm → VBA2C with vacuum assistance
Hela first engaged with me when she was very early in her pregnancy, 8 weeks maybe. We messaged back and forth and I held space for her emotions as she was deciding what path to take. It’s a big choice.
Does she have a repeat cesarean (what everyone around her wanted & expected her to do) or try for a vbac with the chance of it not even being ‘successful’ and needing a cesarean anyway? She went back and forth for a while, deciding what to do and how to navigate that space. I gave her research & knowledge, let her know what her options were and simply listened to her understandable worries.
It wasn’t until about 18/20 weeks that she finally engaged with my services as she had come to a decision that felt right and aligned with her.
There was no rush, no pressure, just space to feel into the emotions.
From then, we delved deep into all the learning about physiological birth and how best to achieve a vbac. Most importantly, we created a birth map that outlined all the possibilities of birth so that no matter what happened, Hela and her husband were prepared, confident and in control. So that meant that not only did we talk about a vaginal birth and how to achieve that, we also talked about a cesarean and how she wanted that to look. What were the important things to her in that scenario? We also chatted and prepared for what it would look like with an epidural and all the things involved with that.
Now we had created such a powerful document that meant no matter what happened, Hela could still be in control and have her preferences honoured.
She received push back during pregnancy in appointments, and lots of strong guidance towards having a repeat CS, but Hela was strong and stayed true to her wants.
Labour time, baby.
After 2 previous inductions of labour, this time she did things differently.
No stretch and sweeps. No induction. No attempts to kickstart labour. Just trust.
Although there was pushback from hospital staff early on, once they realised she was grounded in her choices, the resistance eased — and her care team, especially the midwives, became supportive.
Contractions began on Saturday night, but fizzled. No surprise — that’s what her body had done before.
But by Sunday evening, much to our surprise, the surges returned. After 2 babies born at 41+ weeks, we were all shocked when this baby started making its way a day before it’s due date! It wasn’t wrong at all, just a nice reminder that babies pick their own path!
As the contractions got stronger & more consistent, Hela stayed home and kept active, using the shower, then the TENS machine. Her sister arrived to support with the other kids & I arrived as her doula to support her through this unfolding — not by directing, but by walking alongside her and her partner. Simply being there, offering some counter pressure and hip squeezes and of course, powerful affirmations reminding her that she can in fact do this.
By midnight, we were at the hospital. We were met with great midwives in the assessment unit who respected her want for no vaginal exams, and took her straight to birth suite.
Hela wanted to use the gas, and she did for the next 5 hours.
By 5am, the waves were intense and she was asking for an epidural. We were able to talk about it and had a beautiful open conversation about it with the midwife. What were her options? What would it look like if we did this or that? She decided to have a vaginal exam and then decide. 6cm — the same place labour had stalled in her previous birth. She kept going for as long as she could, but then decided that an epidural was what her body needed and she felt confident that it would still be different to the last times.
She rested for a while, that was what she needed. But then we repositioned her to support baby’s descent — even with the epidural, she stayed active. Kneeling, leaning forward, letting gravity do its work.
Her waters released naturally an hour later - WIN!
Despite some dips in heart rate and a rise in temperature, the medical team remained respectful, collaborative, and honouring of her wishes. The doctor offered suggestions with kindness, always giving Hela space to discuss with her partner and myself. She wouldn’t even enter the room without first gaining permission, the way it should be.
By late morning, Hela was 8cm and by early afternoon, fully dilated. The furthest she had gotten in her last births was 5 & 6cms, so this was very exciting and felt very supportive, her body was doing it’s thing!
By 3pm it was time for pushing, and at 3.08 a beautiful baby girl was born with the support of a vacuum. Mumma did it! Everybody in the room was ecstatic for her.
Unfortunately there was a significant blood loss — 1.7 litres — and after Hela declined the episiotomy she did experience a second-degree tear and two labial grazes. But she was held, stitched, and supported through recovery.
Her words say it best:
“Super proud of my ability though and that I pushed through this time. I did speak up more, was more educated, and had my doula that I couldn’t have done this without.”
Her recovery heading home was incomparable to the previous C- Sections, especially having 2 young kids at home already. She automatically felt stronger and although she still took it easy, her recovery was so much quicker and simpler.
Why is this story so special?
Because it’s not just about “vaginal vs caesarean.”
It’s about feeling informed, respected, and supported — however your birth unfolds.
It’s about healing from what was, and stepping into what’s possible.
And yeah, having a doula does make a difference.
Not because we fix or save anything — but because we walk beside you. We remind you that your voice matters. That your body isn’t broken. That you are allowed to ask questions, change your mind, and do things differently.
If you're considering a VBAC or just want support that feels grounding, calm and honest — my inbox is open.
No pressure, ever. Just a chat. A starting point.
I'm Tasmyn, I’m a birth and postpartum doula in Perth, servicing central Perth (North, South & East of the River). I am here to guide you to birth confidently and enter motherhood feeling nourished, honored, and supported. I can teach you how to love and appreciate your birthing body by learning how to trust and work with it during labor and birth.
You can find me on Instagram as @tasmynbeasy_doula, or click HERE to head to my website.
Read what Hela had to say..
“I decided to hire a doula for my VBA2C and thank the lord we found Tasmyn! She was AMAZING and none of it would have been possible without her.
Mindset and support was so so important and Tasmyn undertook 3 pre-birth sessions with myself and my husband to help write a birthmap and instil that I really could do it.
She went through everything, how the birth could go, how to stay positive, how to write affirmations and believe in myself. Through these info sessions it helped me visualise what to expect and how to be prepared.
My birth was definitely not straight forward or short (being my first vaginal delivery it took 23 hours) and Tasmyn was there every step of the way. She brought a natural calm with her which was super important after going through 2 emergency cesareans.
Her goodie bag was super helpful during labor giving me all the natural remedies I needed in the birth. She helped me SO much through handling the birth contractions and continuously helping me feel positive.
My positive birth experience would not have happened without Tasmyn and we are forever grateful and can’t wait to use her again!
Also can’t forget the postpartum visits where she offers to help with other kids, chores and brings back lots of nourishing snacks/meals!
Honestly the best investment we made!!!!
Thank you Tasmyn for being such a positive energy in my birthing journey xxxx”