When you’ve been told you can’t, choosing to believe you can is a quiet kind of rebellion. This is the story of Camilla, an ICU nurse in the United States, a second-time mum, and a woman who refused to accept anything less than an empowered birth experience.
- Want to hear Camilla tell her birth story in her own words? Watch the full interview on YouTube.
Birth #1: Unexpected Turns
Camilla’s first birth ended in an emergency caesarean after a long induction and a diagnosis of chorioamnionitis. She was told by her doctor that her pelvis was “too small” and that she’d never be able to have a vaginal birth.
That statement planted a seed of doubt, but also, eventually, one of determination.
Recovery was rough. Postpartum sex was painful, and when she finally got into pelvic floor physiotherapy six months later, she learned that her muscles were in a state of constant tension, likely compensating for a lack of core connection after surgery.
“I had no idea how to work with my body,” Camilla said. “Everything just felt… off.”
Birth #2: Choosing a Different Path
With her second pregnancy, Camilla wanted something different. She was told early on that she’d need another caesarean… but this time, she didn’t accept it.
Instead, she listened to hundreds of VBAC stories, found a midwife who believed in her, and did something radical – she questioned the status quo.
And she prepared. Not just emotionally and mentally – but physically too.
One of the biggest changes she made? Signing up for the Prenatal Pilates and Push Prep Course, a program that helped her reconnect with her core, breathe properly, and work with her body instead of against it.
“I wanted to give my baby the best chance to be in a good position. And your course gave me confidence. It helped me understand how to push, how to breathe, and how to connect to muscles I didn’t even know I had after my c-section.”
The VBAC: A Healing Birth
Camilla’s labour began spontaneously. It was everything her first wasn’t: peaceful, empowering, and truly supported. Her daughter was born at home in a quiet, sacred space.
“It was just so different. I actually felt what was happening. My body actually did it. I wasn’t actually broken.”
What Camilla Wants Other Mamas to Know
If she could go back and talk to her first-time pregnant self, Camilla says she’d tell herself not to let finances or fear get in the way of doing what’s best.
“I didn’t want to spend the money on a doula, chiropractic care or prenatal courses, and I regret that. I prioritized buying the best stroller but skipped the things that would’ve actually helped me. Don’t do that. Prioritize you.”
And for those planning a VBAC?
“Prepare. Surround yourself with people who believe in you. Do the inner and outer work. Trust your body, even when others don’t.”
The Course That Helped Change Everything
Camilla credits a big part of her confidence and strength to the Prenatal Pilates and Push Prep Course, a program specifically designed for women preparing for birth after caesarean (and beyond).
It taught her how to:
- Rebuild core strength after surgery
- Activate and release her pelvic floor
- Push effectively and intuitively
- Breathe and move with intention
“Honestly, I feel stronger now than I did two years postpartum with Quinn. It’s a game-changer. I’ve recommended it to all my sisters-in-law. It’s never too late.”
If you’re preparing for a vaginal birth after caesarean—or just want to feel strong, supported, and confident in your birth—you don’t have to do it alone. Take Push Prep like Camilla did and prepare for the empowered birth you deserve.
👉 [Learn more about the Prenatal Pilates and Push Prep Course]
If you’d like to hear Camilla tell her birth story in her own words watch the full interview on YouTube.
