Now I thought I was pretty set on wanting a caesar this time around. I'm sure most of you have seen my reasons for wanting an elective caesar.
However, now that I am pregnant, I can't stop thinking about how I would go trying for a VBAC. I lay awake at night thinking about the pros and cons and it's proving to be a tough decision.
I do have to read up more on both issues and I am yet to speak to my doctor about my choices (I may not have the option of an elective caesar at the hospital I am going to? I don't know).
However, this is what I have come up with so far:

Pros and Cons for having another Caesar

Pros
* Reduced risk of unexplained still-birth during labour (has occurred in 3 generations of women in my family on my mother’s side).
* Already know what to expect.
* I won’t be exhausted after another “failed” labour if I end up having an emergency Caesar anyway.
* Schedule Caesar will mean that my support network will be able to travel to help with Gabby etc.
* Neil can pre-arrange time off work (important because they need to have someone to cover his shift).
* I’ll be able to write a thorough birth plan so that my Caesar experience is more positive than my last one.

Con
* Increased risk with major surgery (eg. Uterine rupture.
* Will never know if I was able to birth vaginally (get to experience labour again etc.).
* Longer recovery - Won’t be able to pick Gabby up for at least 6 weeks and won’t be able to do other simple household chores until I have recovered.
* Elective Caesars are usually booked at 38 weeks so baby may be born before he/she is ready.
* My abs will be even more shot making it more difficult to work off the massive stomach that I’ve managed to grow.


Pros and Cons for having a VBAC

Pros
* Due to previous Caesar I can’t be induced (or at least I can refuse because of the risks of using prostaglandins (sp) after a caesar) so I can go into labour on my own.
* Baby can decide when it’s ready to come into the world.
* May help to establish breastfeeding/breast milk supply earlier than after a Caesar (took 5 days for my milk to come in with Gab and even then I never had a fabulous supply).

Con
* High BP may dictate whether I’ll be allowed to go into labour on my own or whether doctors will insist on a Caesar regardless.
* I’ll be on “high risk” and will need constant monitoring which may hinder my labour anyway. I know I didn’t like sitting/laying on the bed last time so I’d want to move around.
* If something bad happens I’ll blame myself for not choosing to have a Caesar.
* Fear of stillbirth or something happening to the baby (cord around neck like with Gabby) means I won’t be able to relax and focus on the labour.

Is there anything I should add to my list of pros and cons, do you think? After reading through my list, what do you think? I won't be offended by opinions if you want to express them and I'd appreciate some input. I want to make an informed decision either way. At the moment I'm leaning more toward having another caesar because my reasons for wanting a VBAC just seem kind of selfish? If that makes sense.