GUIDELINES FOR VBAC BIRTH STORY SUBMISSIONS

For the book Victorious Surrender by Leigh Anne DuChene

d.b.a. Joleigh Living, LLC

We will be selecting from many VBAC birth story submissions to be included in the book Victorious Surrender, by Leigh Anne DuChene, and future publications. Not every submission will be selected for publication, nor will a story always be published in future publications if it was selected to be included in this book. You will be notified if your submission was selected to be included in the Victorious Surrender book, as well as in the future if your submission is selected to be included in any future publication. This book along with all selected birth story submissions will be submitted for editing by a professional book editor to ensure quality of grammar, language usage, and communication. While editing is beneficial for producing a quality publication we do not want the message in your birth story to be lost in the process. Therefore, if your birth story is selected and edited, you will receive a copy of the edited edition so that we may receive your approval of the changes, prior to publication.

What we are looking for in VBAC birth stories.

• We prefer that each story begin with the birth story of the cesarean section. This is so that readers that are post-cesarean mothers who have not thought a VBAC might be possible due to their situation will know where each person has come from and what their journey to their VBAC was like. This will help them identify with each person and be more likely to see the potential of a VBAC for themselves.
• Raw emotions and the expression of the emotional and spiritual healing that took place.
• Include the healing and recovery process you underwent and how it helped you in your VBAC.
• Be elaborate and specific about the entire journey.
• Include how things have changed post VBAC. Any improvement in your emotional stability when reflecting on your cesarean birth? Any improvement or deeper bonding that has taken place between you and your child from your cesarean birth? Etc.
• Any and all the other details that make it such a sacred event and memory for you.

There is no length requirement or restriction, just quality of expression of your healing journey is desired.

If your husband would like to write about his experience and VBAC birth story and healing journey, those submissions are very much welcome! We want fathers to share their perspective as well, and for fathers to be supportive and know how to be encouraging in the face of post-cesarean recovery and VBAC preparation.

All submissions must be submitted as a .doc file via email to BirthStories@VBACSupport.com

Or submitted via standard mail to:

Leigh Anne DuChene
Joleigh Living, LLC
5206 McKinney Avenue. Suite 102
Dallas, TX, 75205
USA

Along with each submission must be a signed and dated “Consent and Release” form. This file must be printed and filled out. It can then be scanned and emailed to BirthStories@VBACSupport.com. However, we must, also, have an original of this file, sent to us via standard mail, so that we can authenticate it. We must retain the authenticated original for our records; however, we will be sending you a copy of your authenticated “Consent and Release” form.

We cannot proceed with publication if your submission is selected without the original signed and dated “Consent and Release” form that has been authenticated, and if such a situation arises it may mean that your submission is replaced with another selection, if notice of this file being sent to us is not received. A scanned copy via email will stand as an indication that the original is in the mail to us, so please be prompt.

Please download the “Consent and Release” form here!

Thank you for your interest in being a part of the book, Victorious Surrender, to help encourage post-cesarean mothers who desire to have a VBAC!

Sincerely,

Leigh Anne DuChene, BS
Founder and President
VBAC Support International
A Joleigh Living, Ltd. Initiative

P.S. – There is not currently a deadline for submissions set for this project. We have an upper limit for number of submissions set, and as we get closer to that number a deadline will be implemented. Once a deadline is implemented there will be a 2 – 3 month advance notice so that there is enough time for those interested to still get their birth stories submitted.

If you have any questions or concerns please do not hesitate to contact us at BirthStories@VBACSupport.com.