Meet Megan! Actually you already have met her. She submitted a photo for the #breakthesilence campaign in 2015. Listen to what she has to share about her recent birth. (Congratulations on the VBA3C!) . . . "This [See the second image on IG] is my Break the Silence photo, and I just wanted to update that nearly 2 years later, I just had a healing VBA3C. I found providers who respected my autonomy and right to informed consent and refusal. I was the first at this practice to have a trial of labor after 3 cesareans, as far as I know. I could tell it was a bit out of their comfort zone at times, but I was always respected every time I refused an intervention and when I eventually requested some. A relative told a doctor she met that I was planning to drive [a distance to another hospital], and this doctor said that wasn't necessary, that their practice would see me. She was was actually one of the attendings over the residency program at the hospital. I honestly would've never thought to try there on my own. I mainly saw her or the other attendings during my pregnancy. During labor the residents I previously met seemed so supportive as well, said they had been waiting for me, that they knew my goal was a VBAC, and that's what they wanted for me. Afterwards they said how excited they were for me. This great residency program makes me excited about the future of obstetrics - residents that were really highlighting patient autonomy. Hopefully more residency programs will follow suit. We have another teaching hospital nearby where I donβt think I would have even had a chance to attempt a VBAC. Following my last was such an emotional road to recovery that I even considered not having any more children. I'm so glad I didn't let that stop me! I'm so happy to have our fourth baby and finally a birth that doesn't make me feel sad, but empowered instead." - Megan in the southeastern U.S. #vbac #vba3c #respectfulcare #makeitthenorm #improvingbirth #improvebirth