by Ashley Winning
✨ Unfiltered, unapologetic, and deeply inspiring VBAC homebirth stories. If you're a mama seeking VBAC homebirth inspiration, you’re in the right place! Hosted by Ashley Winning, a Homebirth Educator, Doula, and HBA2C mama, this podcast shares raw, real birth stories from women who reclaimed their power and birthed on their terms. Listen for powerful stories, expert insights, and encouragement to help you trust your body, navigate challenges, and births on your terms, your way. 🎧 Subscribe now ⚠️ Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only and does not replace medical advice.
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🇺🇲
Publishing Since
6/16/2020
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April 23, 2025
<p>In this emotional and deeply insightful episode, we hear from a powerful mama Aly McClain who shares the highs and lows of her four unique birth experiences.</p><p>Each one teaching her something new about surrender, trust, and the strength of her body and spirit.</p><p>From a pain-empowered second birth, to navigating an unexpected NICU transfer, to welcoming her birthday baby after 42 weeks, this episode covers the full spectrum of birthing experiences, including a moment of potential shoulder dystocia and the power of intuition in labour.</p><p><strong>In This Episode, You'll Hear:</strong></p><p>🔹 A powerful story of <strong>choosing to feel pain</strong> during birth to affirm her strength </p><p>🔹 How she handled an unexpected <strong>NICU transfer due to her newborn’s low heart rate and blood sugar</strong> </p><p>🔹 The emotional challenges of <strong>postpartum in the NICU during COVID</strong> </p><p>🔹 Why <strong>knowing your NICU rights</strong> matters for home birth parents </p><p>🔹 A peaceful fourth pregnancy followed by a <strong>birth that required surrender and trust</strong> </p><p>🔹 A potential <strong>shoulder dystocia and wrapped cord</strong> handled intuitively and calmly at home</p><p> 🔹 The <strong>importance of staying grounded in your “why”</strong> during birth </p><p>🔹 Insights on <strong>how inner work and belief systems influence birth outcomes</strong></p><p>✨ <strong>Preparation is key</strong> for any home birth—including the possibility of transfer</p><p>✨ <strong>Trusting your intuition and tuning into your body</strong> can shift birth outcomes</p><p>✨ <strong>Your postpartum experience matters</strong>—and how you birth can impact your bond and recovery</p><p>✨ <strong>Your “why” is your anchor</strong>—know it, connect with it, and let it guide youEnjoy this episode!</p><p><br></p><p></p><p><strong>More from Ashley:</strong></p><p><a href="https://ashleywinning.com/vbacvillage/">The VBAC Village</a></p><p>Insta: <a href="www.instagram.com/ashleylwinning">@ashleylwinning</a></p><p>Website: <a href="">www.ashleywinning.com</a></p><p>Join our<a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/vbachomebirth"> VBAC Homebirth Support Group here</a></p><p>Love the podcast? <a href="buymeacoffee.com/ashleywinning">Buy me a</a> coffee</p><p><br></p><p><strong>Disclaimer:</strong> The VBAC Homebirth Stories Podcast is for <strong>educational and inspirational purposes only</strong>. 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 <strong>research, trust your intuition, and consult with a qualified healthcare provider</strong> before making decisions about your pregnancy, birth, and postpartum care.</p><p>The host and guests of this podcast are not liable for any outcomes resulting from the information shared. By listening, you acknowledge that you take full responsibility for your own health and birth choices.</p><p><br></p>
April 8, 2025
<p>In this deeply thought-provoking episode, I sit down with the incredible <strong>Billie Harrigan</strong>—birth worker, educator, and fierce advocate for women’s autonomy in childbirth. </p><p>With over <strong>40 years of experience</strong> supporting birthing families, Billie has seen firsthand how the <strong>medical cartel</strong> has reshaped birth, often prioritising control over care.</p><p>We dive into the <strong>history of birth, the technocratic model, and the ripple effects of medicalised maternity care</strong>. </p><p>Billie shares her powerful insights into what women need to know to reclaim their birthing power, especially those planning a <strong>VBAC homebirth</strong>.</p><p>This conversation will <strong>challenge the status quo</strong>, <strong>ignite your inner fire</strong>, and <strong>give you the confidence to take charge of your birth experience</strong>.</p><p>Enjoy this episode!</p><p><br></p><p><strong>More from Ashley:</strong></p><p><a href="https://ashleywinning.com/vbacvillage/">The VBAC Village</a></p><p>Insta: <a href="www.instagram.com/ashleylwinning">@ashleylwinning</a></p><p>Website: <a href="">www.ashleywinning.com</a></p><p>Join our<a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/vbachomebirth"> VBAC Homebirth Support Group here</a></p><p>Love the podcast? <a href="buymeacoffee.com/ashleywinning">Buy me a</a> coffee</p><p><br></p><p><strong>Disclaimer:</strong> The VBAC Homebirth Stories Podcast is for <strong>educational and inspirational purposes only</strong>. 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 <strong>research, trust your intuition, and consult with a qualified healthcare provider</strong> before making decisions about your pregnancy, birth, and postpartum care.</p><p>The host and guests of this podcast are not liable for any outcomes resulting from the information shared. By listening, you acknowledge that you take full responsibility for your own health and birth choices.</p>
April 1, 2025
<p>In this episode of VBAC Home Birth Stories, we’re diving into a topic that deserves real talk and respect—plus size pregnancy and birth. If you’ve ever been made to feel like your body is a medical condition rather than a life-giving force, this episode is for you.</p><p>I share my personal experiences navigating the maternity system as a plus-size woman, from early pregnancy bias to the constant fear-mongering around birth choices. We also explore how plus-size women can reclaim their power, whether choosing a home birth or hospital birth, and what size-friendly care should actually look like.</p><p>If you’ve ever been told you can’t have a VBAC, must be induced, or will develop gestational diabetes simply because of your size—this episode will challenge everything you’ve been led to believe.</p><p><br><strong>What We Cover in This Episode:</strong></p><p><strong>🔹 The Biases Plus Size Women Face in Pregnancy & Birth</strong></p><ul><li><p>How plus-size women are <strong>treated in the hospital system</strong> (and what needs to change).</p></li><li><p>The <strong>constant weight-based assumptions</strong> about fertility, pregnancy, and birth outcomes.</p></li><li><p>Why <strong>BMI is an outdated and unreliable indicator of health</strong>.</p></li></ul><ul><li><p><strong>Myth #1:</strong> It’s harder to get pregnant if you’re in a bigger body.<br></p></li><li><p><strong>Myth #2:</strong> Plus-size women must be induced because of the risk of a “big baby.”<br></p></li><li><p><strong>Myth #3:</strong> You can’t have a home birth if you’re plus-size.</p></li></ul><ul><li><p>Why hospitals <strong>use the “big baby” scare tactic</strong> to push unnecessary inductions and C-sections.<br></p></li></ul><ul><li><p><strong>Respectful, individualised care</strong> based on actual health markers—not weight.<br></p></li><li><p>A provider who <strong>listens to your concerns</strong> instead of making assumptions.<br></p></li><li><p><strong>Informed consent over coercion</strong>—you deserve to make your own choices.<br></p></li><li><p>How to <strong>find a provider who truly supports plus-size pregnancy</strong> (including home birth options!).<br></p></li></ul><ul><li><p>Why <strong>some doctors assume plus-size women have GD before even testing</strong>.<br></p></li><li><p>How some women are <strong>forced into unnecessary interventions based on weight alone</strong>.<br></p></li><li><p>The <strong>importance of tracking actual health markers</strong> rather than relying on BMI.<br></p></li></ul><ul><li><p>How to <strong>tell if your midwife, doula, or OB is truly size-inclusive</strong>.<br></p></li><li><p>The <strong>red flags</strong> that a provider is not supportive of plus-size birth.<br></p></li><li><p>Why <strong>plus-size women sometimes feel more comfortable with lived-experience providers</strong>.<br></p></li></ul><ul><li><p>Why <strong>your body is NOT broken</strong>—regardless of what the system tells you.<br></p></li><li><p>How <strong>judgment and bias</strong> impact care and what you can do about it.<br></p></li><li><p><strong>The power of plus-size birth advocates & community support</strong>.</p></li></ul><p>🎧 Listen now for an empowering conversation that will shift your perspective on plus-size birth and give you the tools to advocate for yourself with confidence!</p><p>📖 <strong>Book:</strong> Plus Size Pregnancy by Dr. Sara Wickham 📱 <strong>Instagram:</strong><a href="https://www.instagram.com/plussizebirth"> <u>@ashleylwinning</u></a> 👩👩👧 <strong>Community:</strong> Follow plus-size birth accounts & find size-friendly providers</p><p>💌 <strong>Share Your Story!</strong> If you’ve had an experience (good or bad) as a plus-size pregnant woman, I’d love to hear from you. <strong>Send me a message on Instagram or via email!</strong></p><p>Enjoy this podcast episode! </p><p><strong>More from Ashley:</strong></p><p><a href="https://ashleywinning.com/vbacvillage/">The VBAC Village</a></p><p>Insta: <a href="www.instagram.com/ashleylwinning">@ashleylwinning</a></p><p>Website: <a href="">www.ashleywinning.com</a></p><p>Join our<a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/vbachomebirth"> VBAC Homebirth Support Group here</a></p><p>Love the podcast? <a href="buymeacoffee.com/ashleywinning">Buy me a</a> coffee</p><p><br></p><p><strong>Disclaimer:</strong> The VBAC Homebirth Stories Podcast is for <strong>educational and inspirational purposes only</strong>. 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 <strong>research, trust your intuition, and consult with a qualified healthcare provider</strong> before making decisions about your pregnancy, birth, and postpartum care.</p><p>The host and guests of this podcast are not liable for any outcomes resulting from the information shared. By listening, you acknowledge that you take full responsibility for your own health and birth choices.</p><p></p>
Dr. Stuart Fischbein + Midwife Blyss Young
Dr Melanie Jackson
Cynthia Overgard & Trisha Ludwig
Emilee Saldaya
Katie James and Dr Rachel Reed
Bryn Huntpalmer
Melissa Merino & Stephanie Cannavo
Pop That Mumma
Sophie Walker
Luka McCabe and Kate Holm
Meagan Heaton
Victoria Devine
Carmen Rocha & Kemi Johnson
Brittany Hockley and Laura Byrne
Georgie Stevenson
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