Navigating Irish Maternity Services: Caoileann Appleby’s Journey to VBAC

Apr 18

Navigating Irish Maternity Services: Caoileann Appleby’s Journey to VBAC

In this episode, I speak with Caoileann Appleby about her challenging experiences with the Irish maternity system and her determination to achieve a VBAC (vaginal birth after cesarean). Throughout our conversation, Caoileann shares the obstacles she faced in accessing evidence-based care, her difficult recovery from a c-section, and the struggles of dealing with hyperemesis. This powerful discussion highlights the importance of support, informed decision-making, and autonomy in birth choices.

Key Takeaways

Challenges Accessing Evidence-Based Care: Caoileann talks about the difficulty of finding providers in Ireland who support evidence-based care, particularly for women seeking a VBAC. She discusses the lack of options and open discussions around childbirth choices in the Irish maternity system.
Recovery from a C-Section: Caoileann shares her painful and lengthy recovery experience after her cesarean, emphasizing how vital it is for women to have support and information about post-surgical recovery.
Navigating Maternity Care: Throughout her journey, Caoileann encountered mixed experiences with different healthcare providers. She underscores the need for women to be informed and advocate for their preferences, highlighting the importance of discussing options for pain management and continuous monitoring during labor.
The Impact of Hyperemesis: Caoileann sheds light on the challenges of managing hyperemesis, noting that it is often not taken seriously by healthcare providers. Her story illustrates the need for better support and care for women experiencing this condition.
Advocacy and Informed Decision-Making: Caoileann emphasizes the importance of being well-informed, asking questions, and documenting information when navigating the maternity care system. She discusses how women can use birth preferences as a way to communicate their needs and intentions during labor.
Continuous Monitoring and Pain Management: Caoileann describes her discussions with healthcare providers around pain management and continuous monitoring, advocating for tailored approaches to meet individual needs during labor. She shares how crucial it was to have open, evidence-based conversations about these options.
The Role of Doulas: Highlighting the importance of doulas, Caoileann explains how they can provide advocacy, emotional support, and guidance throughout pregnancy and birth. She mentions the difference a supportive doula made in her journey toward VBAC.
The Need for Autonomy in Birth Choices: A key theme in our conversation is the need for better support and autonomy in birth decisions. Caoileann stresses that women should have the right to make informed choices based on their own needs, with access to accurate, evidence-based information.
Preparing for VBAC: Caoileann advises women planning a VBAC to attend independent VBAC classes, seek support from a doula, and thoroughly research their options. She shares tips on documenting preferences, being assertive, and navigating the sometimes adversarial nature of maternity care.

Building a Supportive Birth Environment

Caoileann’s story serves as a reminder of the challenges many women face in accessing supportive, evidence-based care for VBAC in Ireland. Her journey underlines the importance of informed decision-making, advocacy, and the right to choose how to bring their babies into the world.

For more insights into birth options in Ireland, check out Tracy's book - The Irish Cesarean and VBAC Guide (2022) available for purchase online.

Connect with Caoileann and learn more through her LinkedIn: