VBAC Support in Philippi, Buckhannon & Elkins WV | Eden & Embrace Doula Care
Eden & Embrace · VBAC Support

VBAC Support in Philippi, Buckhannon, and Elkins, WV

Hoping for a vaginal birth after a previous C-section? You deserve to feel safe, respected, and not rushed. This page was written for you — so you can understand your options and know you won’t walk into that hospital alone.

Serving Philippi, Buckhannon, and Elkins. In-person and virtual support available.

What VBAC support looks like with Eden & Embrace

VBAC is not just “try again and hope they let you.” You deserve steady guidance, respectful language in the room, and someone who helps you understand what’s happening before anyone calls it “urgent.”

Before labor

We prepare together so you walk in clear and calm, not guessing or apologizing.

  • Personal VBAC prep session
  • Questions to bring to your provider now
  • Emotional prep for being back in the hospital
Philippi Buckhannon Elkins

During labor

You should not feel like you have to advocate and labor at the same time.

  • In-person support at the hospital
  • Hands-on comfort and positioning
  • Reminders to breathe, pause, and ask your questions
Continuous presence Calm voice in the room

After birth

Your recovery and your nervous system still matter after the baby is here.

  • Immediate postpartum support
  • VBAC healing basics and what’s normal
  • Feeding help and newborn care
Postpartum care Sleep + soothing

Care that feels personal and grounded

You are not a time limit. You are not a liability. You are a parent who deserves to be spoken to with respect. Our job is to slow the room down just enough for you to say “What are my options here?” without feeling like you’re being difficult.

We don’t make choices for you. That’s not our role. We keep you informed, supported, and steady so you can make your own choices for yourself and your baby.

In the hospital, this might sound like:
  • “Is this urgent, or is this just policy?”
  • “What happens if we wait 30 minutes and reassess?”
  • “Can you walk me through the risks and benefits so I understand?”
  • “Is there a safer alternative that still supports VBAC?”

You’re allowed to ask for clarity before agreeing to anything.

How to tell if your VBAC is actually being supported

Late in pregnancy, sometimes the tone changes. You might suddenly start hearing things like “Your baby is probably too big for your pelvis” or “Let’s just schedule another C-section so we’re not scrambling.” That doesn’t always mean VBAC is off the table. It means it’s time to start asking direct, calm questions.

Things you might hear

  • “We don’t induce VBACs at this hospital.”
  • “You can’t go past 39 or 40 weeks.”
  • “Let’s just put you on the schedule now, in case.”
  • “Your pelvis might be too small.”

Ways to respond

  • “Is this based on my actual medical situation today, or is this hospital policy?”
  • “Is this urgent right now, or are we just planning ahead?”
  • “What would happen if we wait and check again next week?”
  • “Are there any safe options that still let me try for VBAC?”

You are allowed to ask for time. You are also allowed to change providers late in pregnancy if you need to.

Real questions families ask about VBAC

Can I try for a VBAC if my last birth was a C-section?
In many cases, yes. Especially if your previous scar is low and horizontal, and you and baby are doing well. The question is not “Will they let me,” it’s “What are the actual medical reasons for or against VBAC for me?”
Will you actually come to the hospital with me in Buckhannon or Elkins?
Yes. You will not be in that room alone trying to advocate while you’re in labor. We’re there in person to help with comfort, position changes, pacing, and making sure you get a moment to understand what’s being offered before you say yes.
Can I still ask for pain relief and try for a VBAC?
Yes. You can absolutely pursue VBAC with an epidural. We can help you keep changing positions in bed so baby can continue moving down. Wanting pain relief does not mean you “failed.”
What happens right after the baby is here?
After birth, we stay focused on your recovery and your nervous system. We’ll walk through what normal bleeding looks like, how to rest, early feeding support, and how to take care of yourself after doing something huge.

You’re allowed to want a different experience this time

If you’re in Philippi, Buckhannon, or Elkins and you’re thinking about VBAC, we can talk through your birth plan, how to handle hospital pressure, and what real support would look like for you. You deserve to feel safe, informed, and protected.

Prefer to talk first? Call 304-677-7697 or email hello@theolivebranchdoulas.com