When Your Partner Says "VBAC" and You Panic Inside
The Complete Support Person's Guide to Birth After Caesarean
Because pretending you understand whilst secretly googling "what is VBAC" at 2am isn't helping anyone
ATTENTION: Does This Sound Like You?
Your partner just said she's considering a VBAC for this birth, and you smiled and nodded like you knew exactly what that meant. Inside, your brain went: "Vaginal birth after... what now? Is that safe? Should I be worried? What if something goes wrong? What am I supposed to say?"
Or maybe she's planning another caesarean, and family members keep asking if she's "going to try naturally this time." You watch her face tighten, but you don't know how to shut down those conversations without making things worse.
Here's the truth nobody talks about: As her support person, you're expected to be knowledgeable, confident, and helpful. But nobody actually teaches you what any of this means or how to be genuinely supportive instead of just... present.
I Understand - You're Caught Between Wanting to Help and Feeling Clueless
You love her. You want to be her rock, her advocate, her safe space. But right now, you feel like you're floundering whilst she's doing all the research, making all the decisions, and carrying all the emotional weight.
Maybe you're her partner, scrolling forums at midnight trying to understand the difference between VBAC success rates and uterine rupture risks. Maybe you're her mum, wanting to support her choices but worrying about her safety. Maybe you're her sister, her best mate, or her mother-in-law, and you just want to know how to be helpful instead of accidentally making things harder.
The tension is real: You want to be supportive, but you don't want to say the wrong thing. You want to understand her choices, but the medical information feels overwhelming. You want to help, but you're not sure what actually helps versus what just makes you feel useful.
And here's what's making it worse - everyone has opinions. Her mother thinks she should "just book another caesar." Your mother thinks she should "try natural." The internet has a thousand horror stories and just as many miracle stories. Meanwhile, she's trying to make the best decision for her body, her baby, and her family, and you're supposed to be her support system.
But what if you say the wrong thing? What if you don't advocate hard enough? What if you advocate too much? What if something goes wrong and you didn't prepare properly?
Here's what research shows us: The single biggest factor in birth outcomes and whether a woman feels supported isn't the type of birth she has - it's how her support team handles the experience. That's you. Your response, your preparation, your understanding - it all matters more than you realise.
Here's How I Can Help You Become the Support Person She Actually Needs
I'm Philippa, and I've been supporting families through VBAC and repeat caesarean journeys for over 20 years. I'm also a VBAC mum myself - I know what it feels like to make these decisions and what kind of support actually helps versus what just sounds supportive.
I've seen what happens when support people are prepared versus when they're just winging it. I've watched partners transform from anxious bystanders into confident advocates, and I've seen how that changes everything - not just the birth experience, but the entire family dynamic.
My experience includes:
Over 20 years supporting families through birth after caesarean
Trauma-informed care specialist focusing on birth recovery
VBAC mother who understands this journey from the inside
Invited speaker at birth conferences and professional development events
Developer of trauma-informed frameworks used by birth professionals
But here's what matters more than my qualifications - the results:
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"I felt so lost when my daughter said she wanted to try for a VBAC after her traumatic first birth. Philippa's course helped me understand not just the medical side, but how to actually support her emotionally. When she did have her VBAC, I knew exactly how to help her through it. She said afterwards that having me really understand made all the difference."
Margaret, mother of VBAC mum
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"As a partner, I thought my job was to just agree with whatever she wanted. Philippa taught me that real support means understanding enough to ask good questions and advocate effectively. When complications arose during labour, I knew what questions to ask and how to help her make informed decisions quickly."
James, partner
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"My sister asked me to be her birth support, but I had no idea what I was signing up for. This course gave me the confidence to actually be helpful instead of just standing there looking worried."
Lisa, sister and birth support person
What You'll Actually Learn (No Medical Degree Required)
Module 1: Understanding VBAC and Repeat Caesarean (The Foundation)
What VBAC actually means and why it matters to her
The real risks and benefits (without the fear-mongering or false reassurance)
Why her previous birth experience influences this decision
How to understand her care provider's recommendations
What questions to ask and when to ask them
Module 2: Your Role as Support Person (The Game-Changer)
What she actually needs from you (it's probably not what you think)
How to advocate without alienating medical staff
When to speak up and when to step back
Supporting her choices even when you're scared
Practical skills for labour support (both VBAC and caesarean)
Using trauma-informed approaches to create safety
Module 3: Beyond Birth - Recovery and Reality (The Long Game)
Supporting recovery for both birth types
How to help without taking over
Managing family opinions and unwanted advice
Recognising signs of birth trauma and when to seek help
Taking care of yourself throughout the process
Your Investment: $AUD57 ($USD37)
Less than what you'd spend on a fancy baby gadget, infinitely more useful
What's Included:
✓ Three comprehensive modules you can complete at your own pace
✓ Audio versions for listening whilst commuting or exercising
✓ Practical checklists and conversation starters✓ Real-world scenarios and how to handle them
✓ Trauma-informed support strategies
✓ 30-day money-back guaranteeent & Previous Clients
Ready to Become the Support Person She Deserves?
This isn't about becoming a birth expert overnight. It's about understanding enough to be genuinely helpful, confident enough to advocate effectively, and prepared enough to support her through whatever happens.
She's making one of the most important decisions of her life. You can either fumble through it hoping for the best, or you can show up prepared, informed, and ready to be her true support system.
Remember: the research is clear - how you handle this experience will directly impact both her birth outcome and how supported she feels. That's not pressure, that's power. The power to make a real difference.
Start learning today. Be ready for whatever comes next.