Melissa Bruijn

5 minute Introduction : "Awareness, Acknowledgement & Afterwards"

Melissa is co-founder of Birthtalk, co-founder of CANA, and mother of two. She was motivated to begin Birthtalk as a result of being unable to find support after the traumatic emergency caesarean arrival of her son. She did not want any woman to go through such an experience feeling as isolated as she had. And now she is inspired to continue Birthtalk after the birth of her daughter, an empowering VBAC where she used the new information, knowledge and insights she had gained. Melissa says, "I want every woman to experience what I had for my second birth - the benefits of a positive birth experience have had a ripple effect on my whole life."



Debby Gould

10 minute overview : "VBAC & Caesarean - Awareness & Understanding"

Debby is co-founder of Birthtalk, co-founder of CANA, a dedicated midwife, and mother of 2 little girls. She will present a "big picture view" of VBAC & caesareans - a perspective that can be hard to obtain elsewhere. She offers evidence-based information within a context that may be helpful for women in decision-making, whether researching for a birth after caesarean, or just to be clear on the issues surrounding caesarean. As Deb says, "You don't need to be a midwife to have a good birth... but you do need information that is not readily available. That's why I began Birthtalk - to debunk the myths that abound about birth & allow women the chance to experience birth as a celebratory life experience."


Cas McCullough

Birth Story: "My Positive Caesarean Birth - Daniel's story."

Cas is a mother to 3 boys, co-founder of CANA, National President of the Maternity Coalition, and longtime Birthtalk attendee. She has had a traumatic caesarean, then a positive caesarean, and then an empowering VBA2C. The story of her positive caesarean experience gives us a glimpse into how it is possible to emerge from a caesarean birth feeling empowered and connected, with many of the hormones onboard that a woman birthing normally receives. Says Cas, "A caesarean does not need to be a negative experience. But it can take a little extra know-how & planning to do all you can to ensure your baby's arrival via caesarean is an empowering, celebratory event."



Andrea Codega

10 minute overview : "Acknowledging the Issues."

Andrea is Research Advisor for CANA, mother to 3 girls, and a passionate midwife. After two traumatic caesareans, she enrolled to study to become a midwife. This led her down a new path, as she found herself pregnant with her third child. Andrea chose to have a VBAC after 2 caesareans after much research and soul-searching. In her presentation she will acknowledge the issues surrounding caesareans & birth after caesarean, with highlights from her personal journey.



Kelly Makin

Birth Story : "My empowering VBAC - introducing Broderick"

Kelly is a mum to 2 little boys. Her first child's birth was a nightmare experience, resulting in an emergency caesarean, a healthy baby, and a traumatized mother. Kelly attended Birthtalk to heal emotionally from her experience, and to hear that birth didn't have to be that way. Four years later her son, Broderick, was born in a gentle, empowering VBAC. Says Kelly, "The impact from each birth couldn't be more different. Immediately after Broderick's birth I felt a complete and utter calm and peace. Not just because it was a vbac...but because I felt safe & nurtured every step of the way."