In this episode, we speak with Courtney about how she reclaimed/found her power with her powerful VBAC after a previously traumatic, preterm birth experience.
Courtney shares openly about the emotional aftermath of her first birth, which involved a preterm labour and eventually a caesarean, leaving her feeling overwhelmed and disconnected. Determined to approach her next pregnancy differently, she immersed herself in learning, sought out supportive care, and began rebuilding trust in her body and its ability to birth.
Through her story, Courtney reflects on the importance of being informed, asking questions, and surrounding yourself with people who truly listen. Her VBAC experience was more than a birth — it was a reclamation of her power, a moment of healing, and a reminder that strength often grows from the most vulnerable beginnings.
🎧 Tune in for a powerful story of courage, growth, and the transformative impact of education and self-belief on the journey to a positive, autonomous birth.
Notes and resources about this episode
A huge thankyou to my MGP Midwife Jess who has now started her own birth education business @cub.andkin Without her support and advocacy this would have been a much more difficult journey. While I didn’t cover a lot of my healing journey (that’s a whole extra episode!) I want everyone to know that healing is possible. Thankyou to Lael Stone @laelstone and B at @coreandfloorrestore for everything you do for women, supporting them through motherhood. Without the two of you this journey towards healing wouldn’t have been possible. But the biggest thanks goes out to my husband for his endless love and support. His dedication to our birthing journey and his trust in me leading us. I know our VBAC was just as healing for him as it was for me.
BIO
I’m Courtney, a mumma to two little ones, Henrietta (6) and Arlo (4). I’m a Zoo Keeper (midwife to the animals is one of my favourite roles!) turned Birth Debriefing practitioner and Hypnobirthing Australia practitioner. After the traumatic pre-term birth of my daughter, I felt inspired to support women on their birthing journey. Further inspired by the empowering VBAC of my son I decided a career change was needed and became a Hypnobirthing Australia practitioner and studied Birth Debriefing with Lael Stone and Bernadette Lack. My first birth, while traumatic, has lead me to be the woman I am today. More connected with my boundaries and a better advocate for myself and my family. My second birth, my VBAC, is the single most powerful and life changing event I’ve ever experienced. It allowed me to find my power hidden within and restored my faith in my body. My VBAC was an experience and feeling I wish every single mumma could feel during and after birth. Because of this I am truly inspired to work within the birth community to help decrease birth trauma and allow women to reconnect with the power they have within!