Book Title: Birth After Caesarean: Your Journey to a Better Birth
Author: Dr Hazel Keedle
Written by: Ebru Atacik – Doula
If you’ve had a caesarean before, or even more than one, and you’re wondering what your next birth might look like, this book is one you need to read. Birth After Caesarean: Your Journey to a Better Birth by Hazel Keedle is honestly one of the most comforting, down-to-earth, and empowering books I’ve come across. Hazel is an Australian midwife and researcher, and you can tell she’s spent years listening to women’s real birth stories, not just the medical side, but the emotional and personal parts that often get left out of the conversation. She writes with so much compassion and respect, and that’s what makes this book so special.
Why It’s So Good?
What makes this book stand out is how balanced and real it is. Hazel doesn’t push one “right” way to give birth. Instead, she gives women all the information they need, the pros, the risks, the research, and the real stories, so they can make the decision that feels right for them. The tone feels more like a friend gently guiding you through it rather than a health professional talking at you. Her message is clear: a “better birth” doesn’t mean a perfect one, it means one where you feel informed, safe, and supported. That’s such an important reminder for women who’ve gone through a caesarean and might still be processing their previous birth.
What I Got Out of It Most
What I took from this book was how powerful informed choice is and how much emotional healing matters after birth. It reminded me that it’s okay to feel proud, disappointed, or even sad after a caesarean, all of it is valid. The real stories stood out to me most. Some women had VBACs, others had another caesarean, but they all felt stronger when they were truly listened to. As a doula-in-training, it made me realise how important it is to support women without judgment and remind them they always have a voice and a choice.
How This Book Benefits Women
This book is like a soft-landing place for women who are navigating all the “what ifs” after a caesarean. It gives practical information, like preparing for birth, healing, and communicating with care providers, but it also gently supports the emotional side that’s often overlooked. It helps women understand their bodies, their rights, and their emotions, all while showing them that there’s no shame in however their birth story unfolds. It’s the kind of book that helps you feel less alone and more confident heading into your next chapter.
Why I Recommend It
I’d recommend Birth After Caesarean to any woman who’s had a caesarean, whether she’s thinking about trying for a VBAC or planning another caesarean birth. It’s not just about information; it’s about healing and empowerment. Hazel’s words make you feel understood, validated, and hopeful, even if your birth didn’t go the way you dreamed it would. For me, this book is comforting because it meets women where they are. It doesn’t sugarcoat anything, but it also reminds you of your strength and the beauty in your own story. Every woman deserves to feel that, and that’s why I’ll always recommend this book.
My name is Ebru Atacik, and I am a student doula who is undertaking training at the Doula Training Academy. I service the Adelaide and northern suburbs area. If you would like more information about my doula services, please contact me:
Business name:
The Serene Doula – Ebru
Email:
[email protected]
Website:
https://ebruatacik.wixsite.com/the-serene-doula—e
Phone:
0431 185 415
Instagram link:
https://www.instagram.com/theserenedoula.ebru?igsh=MTIyeTd5cTZiaWxlbA==