by Ashley Winning
✨ Unfiltered, unapologetic, and deeply inspiring VBAC homebirth stories. If you're a mama seeking VBAC homebirth inspiration, you’re in the right place! Hosted by Ashley Winning, a Homebirth Educator, Doula, and HBA2C mama, this podcast shares raw, real birth stories from women who reclaimed their power and birthed on their terms. Listen for powerful stories, expert insights, and encouragement to help you trust your body, navigate challenges, and births on your terms, your way. 🎧 Subscribe now ⚠️ Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only and does not replace medical advice.
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🇺🇲
Publishing Since
6/16/2020
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April 8, 2025
<p>In this deeply thought-provoking episode, I sit down with the incredible <strong>Billie Harrigan</strong>—birth worker, educator, and fierce advocate for women’s autonomy in childbirth. </p><p>With over <strong>40 years of experience</strong> supporting birthing families, Billie has seen firsthand how the <strong>medical cartel</strong> has reshaped birth, often prioritising control over care.</p><p>We dive into the <strong>history of birth, the technocratic model, and the ripple effects of medicalised maternity care</strong>. </p><p>Billie shares her powerful insights into what women need to know to reclaim their birthing power, especially those planning a <strong>VBAC homebirth</strong>.</p><p>This conversation will <strong>challenge the status quo</strong>, <strong>ignite your inner fire</strong>, and <strong>give you the confidence to take charge of your birth experience</strong>.</p><p>Enjoy this episode!</p><p><br></p><p><strong>More from Ashley:</strong></p><p><a href="https://ashleywinning.com/vbacvillage/">The VBAC Village</a></p><p>Insta: <a href="www.instagram.com/ashleylwinning">@ashleylwinning</a></p><p>Website: <a href="">www.ashleywinning.com</a></p><p>Join our<a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/vbachomebirth"> VBAC Homebirth Support Group here</a></p><p>Love the podcast? <a href="buymeacoffee.com/ashleywinning">Buy me a</a> coffee</p><p><br></p><p><strong>Disclaimer:</strong> The VBAC Homebirth Stories Podcast is for <strong>educational and inspirational purposes only</strong>. The stories and opinions shared are personal experiences and should not be considered medical advice. Every birth journey is unique, and we encourage you to <strong>research, trust your intuition, and consult with a qualified healthcare provider</strong> before making decisions about your pregnancy, birth, and postpartum care.</p><p>The host and guests of this podcast are not liable for any outcomes resulting from the information shared. By listening, you acknowledge that you take full responsibility for your own health and birth choices.</p>
April 1, 2025
<p>In this episode of VBAC Home Birth Stories, we’re diving into a topic that deserves real talk and respect—plus size pregnancy and birth. If you’ve ever been made to feel like your body is a medical condition rather than a life-giving force, this episode is for you.</p><p>I share my personal experiences navigating the maternity system as a plus-size woman, from early pregnancy bias to the constant fear-mongering around birth choices. We also explore how plus-size women can reclaim their power, whether choosing a home birth or hospital birth, and what size-friendly care should actually look like.</p><p>If you’ve ever been told you can’t have a VBAC, must be induced, or will develop gestational diabetes simply because of your size—this episode will challenge everything you’ve been led to believe.</p><p><br><strong>What We Cover in This Episode:</strong></p><p><strong>🔹 The Biases Plus Size Women Face in Pregnancy & Birth</strong></p><ul><li><p>How plus-size women are <strong>treated in the hospital system</strong> (and what needs to change).</p></li><li><p>The <strong>constant weight-based assumptions</strong> about fertility, pregnancy, and birth outcomes.</p></li><li><p>Why <strong>BMI is an outdated and unreliable indicator of health</strong>.</p></li></ul><ul><li><p><strong>Myth #1:</strong> It’s harder to get pregnant if you’re in a bigger body.<br></p></li><li><p><strong>Myth #2:</strong> Plus-size women must be induced because of the risk of a “big baby.”<br></p></li><li><p><strong>Myth #3:</strong> You can’t have a home birth if you’re plus-size.</p></li></ul><ul><li><p>Why hospitals <strong>use the “big baby” scare tactic</strong> to push unnecessary inductions and C-sections.<br></p></li></ul><ul><li><p><strong>Respectful, individualised care</strong> based on actual health markers—not weight.<br></p></li><li><p>A provider who <strong>listens to your concerns</strong> instead of making assumptions.<br></p></li><li><p><strong>Informed consent over coercion</strong>—you deserve to make your own choices.<br></p></li><li><p>How to <strong>find a provider who truly supports plus-size pregnancy</strong> (including home birth options!).<br></p></li></ul><ul><li><p>Why <strong>some doctors assume plus-size women have GD before even testing</strong>.<br></p></li><li><p>How some women are <strong>forced into unnecessary interventions based on weight alone</strong>.<br></p></li><li><p>The <strong>importance of tracking actual health markers</strong> rather than relying on BMI.<br></p></li></ul><ul><li><p>How to <strong>tell if your midwife, doula, or OB is truly size-inclusive</strong>.<br></p></li><li><p>The <strong>red flags</strong> that a provider is not supportive of plus-size birth.<br></p></li><li><p>Why <strong>plus-size women sometimes feel more comfortable with lived-experience providers</strong>.<br></p></li></ul><ul><li><p>Why <strong>your body is NOT broken</strong>—regardless of what the system tells you.<br></p></li><li><p>How <strong>judgment and bias</strong> impact care and what you can do about it.<br></p></li><li><p><strong>The power of plus-size birth advocates & community support</strong>.</p></li></ul><p>🎧 Listen now for an empowering conversation that will shift your perspective on plus-size birth and give you the tools to advocate for yourself with confidence!</p><p>📖 <strong>Book:</strong> Plus Size Pregnancy by Dr. Sara Wickham 📱 <strong>Instagram:</strong><a href="https://www.instagram.com/plussizebirth"> <u>@ashleylwinning</u></a> 👩👩👧 <strong>Community:</strong> Follow plus-size birth accounts & find size-friendly providers</p><p>💌 <strong>Share Your Story!</strong> If you’ve had an experience (good or bad) as a plus-size pregnant woman, I’d love to hear from you. <strong>Send me a message on Instagram or via email!</strong></p><p>Enjoy this podcast episode! </p><p><strong>More from Ashley:</strong></p><p><a href="https://ashleywinning.com/vbacvillage/">The VBAC Village</a></p><p>Insta: <a href="www.instagram.com/ashleylwinning">@ashleylwinning</a></p><p>Website: <a href="">www.ashleywinning.com</a></p><p>Join our<a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/vbachomebirth"> VBAC Homebirth Support Group here</a></p><p>Love the podcast? <a href="buymeacoffee.com/ashleywinning">Buy me a</a> coffee</p><p><br></p><p><strong>Disclaimer:</strong> The VBAC Homebirth Stories Podcast is for <strong>educational and inspirational purposes only</strong>. The stories and opinions shared are personal experiences and should not be considered medical advice. Every birth journey is unique, and we encourage you to <strong>research, trust your intuition, and consult with a qualified healthcare provider</strong> before making decisions about your pregnancy, birth, and postpartum care.</p><p>The host and guests of this podcast are not liable for any outcomes resulting from the information shared. By listening, you acknowledge that you take full responsibility for your own health and birth choices.</p><p></p>
March 19, 2025
<p>In this episode, we dive into the incredible story of Emilie, a yoga instructor from Bribie Island, Queensland, who embraced her intuition and unapologetically stood in her power to navigate her birthing journey. </p><p>Emilie’s story is one of resilience, trust in her body, and the beauty of natural birth after a Caesarean and surprise breech birth. (HBAC).</p><p>Her journey includes a surprise breech birth, navigating care with private midwives, and staying centered in her inner strength. Emilie shares how yoga, mindfulness, and her connection to her inner wisdom played pivotal roles in this transformative experience.</p><p><br></p><p><strong>Key Topics Covered:</strong></p><ol><li><p><strong>Trusting Her Intuition and Inner Power:</strong> Emilie’s ability to listen to her body and instincts led her to make empowering decisions throughout her pregnancy and birth, even when faced with unexpected situations.<br></p></li><li><p><strong>Surprise Breech Birth:</strong> The unexpected twist of birthing a breech baby naturally and how Emilie worked through this experience with determination, trust, and the support of her care team and husband.<br></p></li><li><p><strong>Supportive Partner Role:</strong> Emilie’s husband was an active and supportive presence in her birthing journey. He may join us as a guest to provide insights from his perspective as a birth partner in a future episode so stay tuned.<br></p></li></ol><p><strong>Yoga and Mindfulness in Pregnancy and Birth:</strong> How her experience as a yoga instructor helped Emilie stay grounded, focused, and connected to her body during birth.</p><p>Enjoy this podcast episode! </p><p><strong>More from Ashley:</strong></p><p><a href="https://ashleywinning.com/vbacvillage/">The VBAC Village</a></p><p>Insta: <a href="www.instagram.com/ashleylwinning">@ashleylwinning</a></p><p>Website: <a href="">www.ashleywinning.com</a></p><p>Join our<a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/vbachomebirth"> VBAC Homebirth Support Group here</a></p><p>Love the podcast? <a href="buymeacoffee.com/ashleywinning">Buy me a</a> coffee</p><p><br></p><p><strong>Disclaimer:</strong> The VBAC Homebirth Stories Podcast is for <strong>educational and inspirational purposes only</strong>. The stories and opinions shared are personal experiences and should not be considered medical advice. Every birth journey is unique, and we encourage you to <strong>research, trust your intuition, and consult with a qualified healthcare provider</strong> before making decisions about your pregnancy, birth, and postpartum care.</p><p>The host and guests of this podcast are not liable for any outcomes resulting from the information shared. By listening, you acknowledge that you take full responsibility for your own health and birth choices.</p><p><br></p><p></p>
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