Joining us from Texas today is Caitlin and it is her birthday! Caitlin’s first baby was born at 34 weeks via an emergency C-section due to elevated blood pressure and fetal distress. Though she was scared, it was not a traumatic experience and her recovery went well. She just knew that moving forward for future births, she wanted to experience labor and she wanted something different.  Caitlin talks about the importance of knowing not just your provider’s general stance on VBAC, but their specific policies surrounding it.  At 39 weeks, she went to the hospital with preeclamptic symptoms. Still counting on her provider to support her VBAC, Caitlin started to face things she wasn’t comfortable with. Her symptoms were under control, but she could tell that her baby wasn’t yet ready to come. She knew she needed to sign an AMA and go home.  When the time came, Caitlin was able to advocate for the birth she wanted, declined the interventions she knew she didn’t truly need, and leaned on those who felt safe in her space.  “Having the VBAC made me so proud and confident in myself and any future births that I’m blessed with.”  Happy Birthday, Caitlin!! How to VBAC: The Ultimate Prep Course for Parents Full Transcript under Episode Details  Meagan: Hello, hello Women of Strength. You guys, I am so excited for today’s episode. We have our friend, Caitlin, from– are you from Texas? Where are you from? Caitlin: I’m from Texas, yes.  Meagan: Texas. Yes. I wanted to say that then I started questioning myself. She is from Texas and we just went over a quick rough draft of all the things that happened in her birth and there are so many points I feel like to her birth. One, she’s a VBAC. She had preeclampsia with her first and her second. This is her second baby during her VBAC and with her first, she signed an AMA so we are going to talk about that and what that looks like. We’re going to talk more about preeclampsia. We’re going to talk about switching providers. One, switching providers but two, maybe trying to set ourselves up to not have to switch in the future and setting up ourselves to have a supportive provider from the beginning because she definitely had that and so much more.  I’m really, really excited to get into the story. I do have a Review of the Week. This review is– I don’t actually know how to say the name. Sidsie, maybe? It says, “Such an amazing resource for VBAC-hopeful mamas and others preparing for birth who haven’t had a previous Cesarean. Their podcast has amazing birth stories and their blog has amazing articles. They have a ton of resources to find doulas and providers and are excited and happy to help support VBAC mamas. I recommend their podcast to my doula clients and I listen to each episode as it comes out. Definitely check it out.”  I love that. This is a birth worker. Birth workers, we love you and we love your reviews. As you know, we do have a doula directory so if you are looking for a doula, these doulas are absolutely incredible. Go to thevbaclink.com and click on “Find a Doula”, search your area, and find out which doulas are close to you.  Also, if you haven’t had a chance, I’m requesting a specific place for reviews today. If you would not mind, head over to Google at “The VBAC Link” and click on it then leave a review. I would absolutely love it.  Meagan: Okay, Caitlin. I’m already so excited that I just am going to turn the time over to you but before I do, I have to say one thing.  Caitlin: I’m excited too. Do it.  Meagan: Happy birthday.  Caitlin: Thank you.  Meagan: It’s not your birthday the day you are recording, but we have determined it will be the day your episode comes out which we didn’t do on purpose. Happy birthday.  Caitlin: Thank you so much. I appreciate it.  Meagan: You’re welcome. You are welcome. All right. Well go ahead and share your stories.  Caitlin: Okay, well I guess we sho