In this episode we speak with Sammy Veall, artist and former yoga teacher and studio owner, about the contrasting pregnancy and birth experiences of her two boys. Sammy shares her experience of an unplanned caesarean in a private hospital under obstetric care, and how that experience shaped her decision to have a homebirth after caesarean (HBAC) with private midwives for her second son.

A content warning — Sammy speaks openly about a non-consensual stretch and sweep late in pregnancy with her first baby, and the physical and mental impact this had on her both in the lead up to and during that labour, as well as in preparing to birth again. We discuss epidurals, and the impact of that loss of sensation for Sammy, physically and emotionally. Sammy speaks about the importance of following your own instincts and listening to your own inner voice, of choosing a care provider that not only aligns with your wishes for birth, but the preparatory work you are doing.

She shares her experience of care from a private midwife and doula in pregnancy, and how those relationships, and that of her husband, supported her through her own crises of confidence in the lead up to labour, as well as through the intensity of her labour and physiological birth of her baby and placenta at home. She speaks beautifully about the ripple effects of her positive and transformative birth experience on not only her mothering, but career and life choices more broadly.

02:59 Initial visions for birth and choosing her first care provider

06:13 First pregnancy

08:21 Stretch & sweep leading into labour

12:07 Epidural and unplanned caesarean

18:38 Postpartum experience and coming to terms with first birth experience

24:07 Preparing for a second birth, working through previous trauma

26:46 Navigating societal and family’s views on homebirth and HBAC

28:00 Choosing private midwifery care

31:39 Choosing doula support

38:21 The onset of labour

53:58 Postpartum experience and support

56:37 Empowerment beyond birth

Links:

• MAMA Midwifery Practice
• MAMA Midwifery Birth Class - VBAC
• Rhea Dempsey’s Birth Debrief & Embracing the Intensity birth course
• Jo Askham doula