If you’re considering a VBAC (vaginal birth after caesarean) or HBAC (home birth after caesarean), you may be feeling a mixture of hope, excitement, questions and perhaps some uncertainty about doing things differently this time. Whether your previous birth was difficult, unexpected or simply didn’t go the way you’d hoped, a subsequent pregnancy can bring up a lot of emotions. Knowing you have choices is the most important thing.

I’m Alex Schirn, Doula Alex, a birth and postnatal doula supporting families across Surrey, including Weybridge, Woking, Guildford and Kingston. I offer calm, compassionate and non-judgemental support throughout pregnancy, birth and the postnatal period, including support for parents planning a VBAC.

VBAC stands for vaginal birth after caesarean. For some parents, having a vaginal birth following a previous caesarean is an important goal. For others, the decision is more complicated.Every pregnancy and every previous birth is different my role isn’t to tell you which way you should give birth. Instead, I can help you prepare, understand your options and feel supported in whatever decisions you make.

How I can support you

Choosing a VBAC can involve more preparation and consideration than simply preparing for labour itself.

As your doula, I can support you with:

• Exploring your hopes and preferences for this birth

• Talking through your previous birth experience

• Preparing emotionally for a different birth experience

• Understanding the choices and questions you may want to discuss with your maternity team

• Birth preparation and antenatal education

• Hypnobirthing techniques, including breathing and relaxation

• Movement and positioning for labour

• Comfort measures and coping strategies

• Preparing your birth partner to support you

• Continuous emotional and practical support during labour

• Postnatal support following your baby’s birth

My support is always tailored to you. There is no single ‘right’ way to approach a VBAC. A successful birth isn’t defined by whether everything happens according to plan. What matters is that you feel listened to, informed and supported throughout your experience. I have experience supporting VBACs and HBACs with all local hospitals, including St Peters, Kingston, Royal Surrey, Wexham Park, Croydon, East Surrey & St Georges.

VBAC Client testimonials

‘I can’t recommend Alex enough. There’s honestly not enough words to describe what she means to me and how she supported me during my third pregnancy. Thanks to Alex, I had the most beautiful natural birth after two previous c sections. She supported me to unpack a lot of fear, made it feel safe for me to actually say no to consultants when what they suggested didn’t feel right. She was also a huge support for my husband and facilitated for us to have clear communication, for him to fully understand how to support me during labour and birth.

I could go on and on but the best investment we ever made was to have Alex as our doula. She is all heart. Every piece of her work has her whole heart poured into it. Thank you for everything.’

‘From the moment we met, Alex's warmth and dedication shone through. She educated us on the choices available to a mother and various ways to support the body. With her guidance, we designed a comprehensive birth plan. As expected from the NHS, we encountered some helpful midwives and others who made me question their commitment to their job. On the day of labor, Alex was by my side the entire time, advocating for me at the hospital and providing support in ways I hadn't anticipated. Her intervention was especially crucial when the hospital midwives failed to provide the care I needed.

Alex's presence was a beacon of strength and comfort. She supported me through contractions, said words of encouragement me, and fought for my needs when I couldn't. Her support and compassion made a profound difference in my childbirth experience. I am deeply grateful for all the ways Alex was there for me. Thank you, Alex, from the bottom of my heart.’