I have for you today Dr Hazel Keedle who is a Senior Lecturer of Midwifery at The School of Nursing and Midwifery at Western Sydney University. Hazel has more than two decades of experience as a clinician in nursing and midwifery, educator and researcher. Hazel’s research interests are vaginal birth after caesarean, birth trauma and maternity experiences explored primarily using mixed methodologies. Hazel's work is recognised nationally and internationally, with many invited conference and seminar presentations including academic publications and a book for women based on her PhD findings ‘Birth after Caesarean: Your Journey to a Better Birth’. Hazel is the lead researcher on the largest maternity experiences survey, The Birth Experience Study.    She starts by discussing the 4 factors that will impact the birth experience, and how we can ensure we create the best possible conditions for birth to unfold. Hazel looked at the experiences of women attempting to have a VBAC. She assumed the most important part of their experience would be pushing a baby out of their vagina. Instead what she discovered were 4 important factors that directly influenced how they felt about their birth experience. She then goes on to share with us some of the evidence around the risks of VBAC and the real risks of uterine rupture.  and leaves us with some very encouraging advice. This is a fabulous episode for those women planning a VBAC. or any woman who wants to appreciate the conditions necessary to have a good birth experience, regardless of what unfolds on the day. Position Senior Lecturer, School of Nursing and Midwifery Research Interests Birth trauma Midwifery Pregnancy, birth and postnatal period Vaginal birth after caesarean (VBAC)   Links: Transform Parenting website Transform Your Birth Today Better Birth: Mini Gift Free resource: Medical Necessity vs Choice