Hi Ladies,

This sounds like a very difficult situation and I cant relate to this experience. But what I can relate to is c/s. I had planned a natural vaginal delivery with MIDWIVES only (my mother) in a birthing centre. Unfortunately I had to have an emergency c/s as I was only 2cm dilated and bubs hb dropped dangerously low and did not rise after contraction had eased. I think what alot of people forget is that c/s are major abdominal surgery, they are painful, risky and the recovery time is long and hard. I was isolated in my home for 6weeks because I could not drive. My DS was drowsy for days due to the drugs and my milk took longer than expected to produce because I was not able to allow my natural hormones to do their job at the right time. C/S can be necessary and often save lives, but...they should be for emergencies only and even then, there are many unecessary emergencies that present themselves conveniently with OB's. Since you do not have an emergency on your hands I would advice talking to a midwife or a doula about birthing options, as OB's are very good at preempting medical emergencies when there may never be one.

I too have some aprehension about my future births, since I did not experience a successful vaginal birth the first time. But I am very lucky to have supportive midwives around me who continually remind me that every birth is different and help me build confidence in my abilities to birth naturally. I am planning on having a VBAC for my next birth and I would very much like to homebirth.

C/S is not always the safer option especially if you continue to progress with a normal and healthy pregnancy. Natural vaginal delivery is a safe and NORMAL way for a mother to birth her child. Midwives and doula's can provide you with a myriad of information about labouring and birthing positions and will help you find the confidence within yourself to birth your child safely and normally. Im not sure of there is a support group for vaginal delivery after SD but if there is...join it. And please dont limit yourself to talking to OB's only, they are trained to look at birth as a medical procedure and may only offer you advice that includes medical intervention and sometimes (I wont say 'all' becuase I know there are some wonderful OB's out there) harbour unecessary fears in women about birth, taking their confidence away (im not referring to your situation at all when I say 'unecessary'...just in general)

I wish you all the luck in the world.