
I am so excited to share that I am now a certified VBAC doula through The VBAC Link, serving families throughout Metro Detroit and Ann Arbor. Becoming a VBAC certified doula is close to my heart because as a VBAC mama myself, I know firsthand the mental and emotional work it takes to get to that point.
Preparing for a VBAC is often not just about the physical steps but about unraveling past cesarean experiences, pushing past fear, and finding a deep sense of trust in yourself, your body, and your birth.
My own journey to VBAC shaped me in ways I never could have imagined. After my first cesarean, I found myself caught up in the why and how it happened. I carried so much blame, and releasing that was a huge turning point for me. Forgiving myself and surrendering to the process allowed me to move forward with strength.
Another powerful moment was when I realized that even though I was ruled out for a home birth, I was not ruled out for a VBAC. That reminder from my doula was a moment of surrender and acceptance. My ultimate goal was an unmedicated VBAC, and I held on to that with everything in me. These experiences taught me that VBAC is more than just a type of birth. It is a redemptive and empowering journey.
VBAC mothers often want their birth in a different way than first time mothers. There is usually a deep determination behind the decision, and it requires mental preparation, emotional healing, and often more advocacy. As a VBAC certified doula, I understand that desire on a personal and professional level. I walk alongside my clients as they reflect, prepare, and embrace their power.
There are so many misconceptions surrounding VBAC. VBAC calculators are not the final say on whether someone can birth vaginally. Multiple cesareans are not an automatic reason to tell a woman she cannot try. What matters most is making informed choices and finding supportive care. As a VBAC certified doula, I am aware of the questions to ask and the signs to look for to ensure that you are being cared for by a supportive team.
When I work with VBAC families, I focus on helping them understand what a VBAC would look like at their chosen place of birth and with their chosen provider. It is so important to know if the people surrounding you are truly supportive rather than just tolerant. My role is to help you feel confident in your path forward. I am also expanding my knowledge and will be completing Spinning Babies training in November so I can offer even more physical and movement-based tools to support labor.
Along with being a doula, I also serve families as a birth photographer. This combination allows me to hold space with steady presence while also capturing the raw, powerful, and redemptive beauty of VBAC births. These images are more than photos. They are reminders of strength and transformation that you can hold onto for years to come. I know first hand the power of birth photography. My doula wasn’t an actual birth photographer, but she was allowed in the OR and she was allowed to use my cell phone to capture photographs of my son being born via cesarean. Those are some of the most important photographs in my life. They also helped me heal emotionally from the cesarean.
If you are in Metro Detroit or Ann Arbor and are planning a VBAC, I would love to walk this journey with you as your VBAC certified doula. Whether it is your second birth or your fifth, you deserve support that honors your story, your choices, and your power. Reach out to me for a consultation and let’s talk about how I can support you.
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Arkady Brown Photography is a women's photographer in Metro Detroit, Michigan specializing in home births, boudoir, newborn, family, and maternity.
Arkady works in the Detroit areas of Birmingham, Chesterfield, Grosse Pointe, Macomb, Oakland Township, Rochester, Rochester Hills, Royal Oak, Shelby Township, Sterling Heights, Troy, Utica, Washington Township, West Bloomfield