Moana’s first birth left her feeling traumatized, confused, and like a failure. With her next pregnancy, she was determined to find redemption. She became educated on all of the risks and benefits surrounding VBAC, hired a highly supportive birth team, and affirmed to herself that she could do this.Thanks to her preparation, Moana was able to adapt and utilize the birth tools she needed to achieve the beautiful VBAC she desired. We talk about how to build your own “birth toolbox” and why it’s important to allow yourself to use those tools as you need them. And as always, we fully support you in whatever tools you choose to use to have your positive birth experience!Additional linksThe Swiss Army Knife of LaborThe VBAC Link Blog: Natural Birth versus EpiduralFind a VBAC DoulaHow to VBAC: The Ultimate Prep Course for ParentsFull transcriptNote: All transcripts are edited to correct grammar, false starts, and filler words. Meagan: Hello, hello everybody. It’s Meagan and Julie. We are back with you today for episode number two of our return and episode number 183. We have Moana today and we cannot wait to get into her story. A little funny thing— I’m totally going to admit what just happened. We went through everything, and we were getting into the story, and guess what? We forgot to push “Record”. So darn it!Julie: My bad.Meagan: We are restarting, but that’s okay. We are excited. We have Moana with you today. She is from Hawai’i and she is one amazing mama. You guys, she had a 72 hour labor. I’m just going to say that. How stinking amazing! She is a military wife. She is in the Reserves. They have two kiddos. They love being in the sun, and surfing, and living life up in Hawai’i. We can’t wait to hear her stories in just a second. Review of the Week Meagan: We’re going to hurry and turn over the time to Julie because as usual, we are going to have that Review of the Week. We really love your reviews and now that we’re kicking the podcast off again, we’re going to need some more. So feel free to drop us a review on Google or send us a review, whatever it may be. We would love, love, love to read your review on the podcast. Alright, Julie.Julie: Oh my gosh. I am such a nerd. I cannot believe it. I am going to have to put a sticky note in the middle of the computer again and be like, “Push ‘Record’!” so I don’t forget.Second of all, Meagan, you say Hawai’i like, “Ha-WHY. She’s from Ha-WHY.”Meagan: Ha-waii. I don’t say, “Hawai’i.”Julie: Oh, so funny.Meagan: I know. I don’t say it correctly. I don’t even know.Julie: It’s funny. Okay. Oh my gosh. I need to stop talking, so I’ll just read this review and then we can have Moana start her story again. Oh my gosh. So, so sorry. Alright.Okay, so this review is from hnp1213 on Apple Podcasts and she says “So thankful. As I prepare for my HBAC this coming September, this podcast has helped me heal so much from my previous C-section. I’ve laughed, I’ve cried, and I’ve celebrated with so many of their stories. Thank you for creating an uplifting and empowering podcast for those of us looking for our redemption birth.”No thank you, hnp1213, and thank you, Meagan and Moana, for being patient with me while we have to restart this over. Alright.Moana’s storyMeagan: Okay, Moana. We want to dive back into your story because it’s a great one.Moana: Alright. So my husband and I got married in 2016. I was 22 and he was 23. We waited about three years to have a baby and I didn’t realize I was pregnant for a while. I was just kind of feeling sick at work and this guy actually told me, “Hey, I think you’re pregnant.” I was like, “No, no. There’s no way.” So I went and took a test and sure enough, two lines came up right away. It was super dark and I was like, “Oh, wow. I must not be early.”So I scheduled an appointment with my provider and sure enough, I was eight weeks along already. That was pretty exciting. My husband actually wasn’t even home at the time. I had to video call him. He was in the Middle