Anne S., 47 years young, is pregnant with her 2nd child. Anne shares her struggle to balance work, motherhood, and pregnancy while sustaining a very active lifestyle which includes horseback riding several times a week.

Anne S. relives her first birth experience and emphasizes the importance of advocating for yourself even if your birth options seem limited.

Anne talks about the important details during her cesarean birth that attributed to a quick recovery and positive birth experience.

Anne talks about her dislike of the term "advanced maternal age". Being pregnant at 47 years old has its challenges but age is only one factor when it comes to a healthy pregnancy.

Anne is planning a vaginal birth after cesarean and open to the idea that it may change down the road.

As Anne inches closer to her due date she is aware that her birth plan might have to change last minute but for now she is advocating to have the full opportunity to attempt a VBAC birth.

Anne joins us with her new baby and her midwife Blyss Young to discuss the final weeks of her pregnancy. After telling her doctor she wanted to attempt a home birth they refused to treat her and she was tasked to find another doctor at 36 weeks pregnant.

Nearly 42 weeks into her pregnancy Anne's labor starts, but twelve hours in the contractions have not picked up much. Anne ponders what to do next with guidance and support from her midwife, Blyss Young.

15 hours into labor Anne has only progressed to 3 cm as contractions persist every 10 minutes. As the hours pass, Anne draws upon the memory of her husband surviving a gunshot wound for strength and courage.

As labor extends into the second day Anne throws her back out. Her contractions are now causing intense back pain and vomiting. Midwife Blyss Young takes Anne to Dr. Berlin's office for bodywork and adjustments to help relieve her back pain.

48 hours into labor Anne leaves Dr. Berlin's office with less pain and having an easier time surrendering to her surges. She starts to relax but before she can get to sleep, things pick up again and a few hours later she starts to run a fever.

55 hours into labor Anne's water breaks and meconium is present. Anne considers her options with her Midwife Blyss Young. Blyss walks us through how she monitors mom and baby during a planned home VBAC and what she looks for to help ensure safety throughout.

60 hours into labor its time to push! But, after hours of pushing and trying multiple positions and rooms, the baby is still not coming down. Anne is exhausted and not sure she has the energy to continue pushing. Anne wrestles with the decision of whether to stay home or transfer to the hospital.

66 hours into labor Anne begins her transfer to the hospital, an hour-long ride riddled with big contractions while fighting the urge to push. 68 hours into labor Anne begins to push again with the assistance of her doctor and a vacuum. As the baby tries to emerge her head is tilted and a little ...

With baby Virginia in her arms, Anne reflects back on her journey and ponders what, if anything, she would have changed. Anne gives us a glimpse into her VBAC recovery and how it differed from her cesarean birth recovery seven years prior. Spoiler Alert: Just five weeks post-birth Anne is back ri...