It's probably just the people you hang out with, it's quite the opposite among my friends. Most who have had c/s births planned vaginal births and a lot have planned or plan to plan (lol) VBACs afterwards. I actually thought the the amount of people planning vaginal birth, and particularly planning informed, empowering vaginal birth, is on the rise again. Although that might just reflect the people a associate with...

I think the focus should always be on calm, mother-centred, informed, empowering birth, regardless of the mode, but this would require effort of the parts of the medical staff, the birthing mother, and also the media for portraying such bizarre ideas about birth, and people around the birthing mother to stop perpetuating the c.s/v.b divide. Of course, vaginal birth is normal. Being cut open isn't normal. But it is still birth.

If a mother is informed, and makes the decision best for her, who can say that she right or wrong? Something I have been thinking recently is this idea of 'medically indicated' cesareans and unnecessary cesareans, and often if a mother chooses a cesarean without a physical health condition that warrants it, there is this idea that she is wrong and obviously uninformed. BUT, what is she chooses a cesarean for mental health reasons? Mental health is as relevant and as influencing in this argument. So this mother, she makes an informed decision, but chooses not to share her reasons with anyone. She doesn't want to talk about her reasons, and uses an 'excuse' to get you off her case... immediately she's labeled - uninformed/manipulated/victim of the system... It's a sticky grey area because someone very pro-vaginal can come across as being very ignorant and arrogant for assuming that she is uninformed and assuming that because she is physically healthy that she is making the wrong decision. But of course, how do you know this is the case, that she is making an informed decision and not being manipulated as a matter of conveniance? Should we assume mothers are informed or uninformed? Who holds the responsibility of informing women about birth choices?

Interesting ponderings.