Trish is joined by Megan Heaton from The VBAC Link to discuss the common misconceptions, roadblocks and interventions that women face when attempting a VBAC (Vaginal Birth After Cesarean). They discuss ridiculous claims made by providers, heard straight from their own communities of mothers, such as the ‘impossibility’ of going into labor naturally, the supposed ‘necessity’ of epidurals, or your pelvis being ‘too small’.

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Trish and Meagan emphasize the importance of patient education, partner support, and trusting the natural birthing process. They also discuss the coercive tactics some medical professionals use and provide empowering advice for navigating these challenges.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone considering or supporting someone through a VBAC journey.

Helpful Timestamps:

• 01:10 Welcoming Meagan from the VBAC Link
• 01:50 Ridiculous Roadblocks for VBAC
• 03:02 The Importance of Positioning During Labor
• 08:03 Epidurals and VBAC: Myths and Realities
• 10:38 The Impact of Fear and Safety on Labor
• 16:04 The Role of Partners in Supporting VBAC
• 18:59 Debunking Myths About Induction
• 21:01 The Reality of VBAC Risks and C-Section Complications
• 23:00 Confronting Medical Authority and Patient Rights
• 25:08 Navigating Hospital Policies and Patient Autonomy
• 26:07 Real-Life VBAC Stories and Hospital Challenges
• 28:31 The Importance of Patient Education and Advocacy
• 31:35 Debunking Myths About Induction and Labor
• 34:04 Conclusion and Resources for VBAC Moms

More from this episode:

National Advocates for Pregnant Women

More from Meagan Heaton:

Listen to The VBAC Link Podcast

TheVBACLink.com

Follow The VBAC Link on Instagram, YouTube, and FaceBook

Resources:

🎙 FREE Birth Workshop: 3 Secrets to a Confident Birth! 🎙

Want to feel prepared and in control? Watch my free workshop now!

First Trimester Prep Pack

Second Trimester Prep Pack

Third Trimester Prep Pack

Listen to the Pregnancy Unpacked Series!

Connect w/ Trish:

On Instagram

On Facebook

Hey Mama! Welcome to Pregnancy Unpacked with Trish, Labor Nurse Mama. In this episode, we’re diving into weeks 20-22 of pregnancy - the halfway mark! We’re unpacking what’s happening with your baby, your body, and those emotional shifts no one warns you about. From belly pops to Braxton Hicks, Trish is here to guide you through it all with real talk and big support. You’re not alone, and you’ve got this!

What’s Happening with Baby

• Size: Your little one is about the size of a banana (~10.5 inches, ~1 pound).
• Development: Taste buds are forming, baby’s tasting your meals through amniotic fluid, and hair, eyebrows, and lashes are sprouting. Their heartbeat is strong, and brain connections are helping control those tiny limbs.
• Cool Fact: Baby’s skin is coated in vernix caseosa, a protective creamy layer you’ll see at birth. Plus, they’re starting a sleep-wake cycle (which might not match yours!).

What’s Happening with You

• Physical Changes: Expect a sudden belly pop, round ligament pains, or painless Braxton Hicks contractions (check out Episode 105 for more on these vs. real labor). Constipation, back pain, or varicose veins might pop up too.
• Emotional Rollercoaster: Feeling off, disconnected, or guilty for not “glowing”? That’s normal. Pregnancy is a huge identity shift. Trish shares tips to process these feelings and lean on your support system.
• Stay Hydrated: Hydrate like crazy, mama! Water helps with constipation and keeps you out of triage.

Join the Calm Mama Membership: labornursemama.com/cms

Leave a review and include your Instagram username for a chance to win our monthly raffle!

Emotional & Relationship Real Talk

• It’s okay to feel overwhelmed, touched out, or out of sync with your partner. Communicate openly - weekly check-ins can build resilience.
• Single mamas, you deserve support too! Lean on friends, doulas, therapists, or join the Calm Mama Society for community.
• Try EFT tapping to ease anxiety and fear - Trish swears by it.

Anatomy Scan & Next Steps

• You’ve likely had (or will soon have) your anatomy scan. Celebrate clear results, don’t stress if baby needs a recheck, and ask questions if referred to a maternal-fetal medicine specialist.

5-Step Action Plan:

1. Write down anatomy scan questions.
2. Check in with your partner or support system about your emotions.
3. Start a list for your next appointment (pregnancy brain is real!).
4. Notice baby’s movements and enjoy them.
5. Protect your energy - write down what drains vs. restores you.

More from this episode:

• Here’s How to Understand Real Labor vs False Labor Contractions | 105
• Pregnancy Unpacked Weeks 18-20: Anatomy Scan & The Truth About Bonding | 176
• Pregnancy Unpacked Weeks 16-18: Baby Bumps, Tests, & Trusting Yourself | 174
• Pregnancy Unpacked Weeks 14-16: Building Your Birth Team & Trusting

Trish gets into the unfiltered, totally normal chaos of the third trimester of pregnancy. She’s breaking down the weird symptoms, emotional rollercoasters, and practical prep tips to help you feel empowered as you approach the finish line of pregnancy.

From lightning crotch to unexpected leaks, Trish normalizes the wild changes your body might be throwing at you. She’s got you covered with actionable advice, heartfelt encouragement, and a reminder to trust your gut as you prepare for birth.

What’s Inside This Episode:

• Lightning Crotch and Swollen Everything: Learn about those sharp zings in your pelvis, swollen hands, feet, and even vulva—why they happen, what’s normal, and when to call your provider.
• Leaky Boobies and More: Trish explains colostrum leakage (or lack thereof), carpal tunnel, night sweats, and increased vaginal discharge, reassuring you that your body’s just doing its thing to build a human.
• Braxton Hicks vs. Real Labor: Get clear on how to tell them apart - irregular and front-focused for Braxton Hicks, consistent and intensifying from back to belly for the real deal. Pro tip: If you’re still wondering if it's labor, it’s not time to worry yet!
• Nesting: Discover why you’re suddenly scrubbing baseboards at 2 AM and how this primal urge is your brain creating safety for your baby.
• Sex, Sleep, and Relationships: Navigate libido shifts, insomnia, and changing dynamics with your partner. Trish shares tips like using a pregnancy pillow, avoiding late-night caffeine, and communicating openly to stay connected.
• When to Call Your Provider: Critical signs to watch for, including decreased fetal movement, bright red bleeding, leaking fluid, severe headaches, or sudden swelling, and why trusting your instincts is never overreacting.

This episode is your go-to guide for rocking the third trimester with confidence. Share it with a pregnant friend, leave a review to support Trish’s mission to empower mamas, and binge more episodes to prep for your birth like the queen you are!

Mentioned in this episode:

Grab the Third Trimester Prep Pack

Listen to Ep 154: OMG – Did My Water Just Break? Now What?

Listen to Ep 48: Six Signs that Labor is Not Far Off

Read 6 Signs of Labor According to a Labor Nurse

Helpful Timestamps:

• 00:55 Navigating the Third Trimester
• 02:00 Weird but Normal Symptoms
• 05:20 Braxton Hicks vs. Real Labor
• 07:41 Nesting Instincts
• 09:02 Sex, Sleep, and Relationship Shifts
• 12:18 When to Call Your Provider
• 14:52 Empowerment and Advocacy
• 15:25 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Resources:

🎙 FREE Birth Workshop: 3 Secrets to a Confident Birth! 🎙

Want to feel prepared and in control? Watch my free workshop now!

First Trimester Prep Pack

Second Trimester Prep Pack

Third Trimester Prep Pack

Listen to the