Fi - thankyou for your post. You out of everyone here probably knows more about my horrid experience with having Gabby the most - so you know my decision isn't cut and dry.
I do hope your next labour is a far cry better than what you went through with Jenna. Perhaps all the hard work you went through with her will pay off and you'll have a magnificent labour?

Caro -
Can I ask who had the still borns in your family ? which generations ? Mother Grand mother sister aunty ???
The 3 generations of women in my family that had unexplained still births were my great grandmother, her daughter (my Nanna) and my mother... all on the same side of the family. So my Mum, my mother's Mum and my grandmother's Mum. To me that's a very compelling reason to be cautious. I have been told that medicine has come a long way in the last 28 years since my mother lost my brother. Yes, I'm sure it has. She was also told this since it was 20-odd years since her mother had suffered a still birth. So, yeah... the argument doesn't hold a great deal of water with me, as I am sure you can understand.
I appreciate the fact that you're pro-vaginal birth and you can see my reason for possibly having an elective caesar as valid. It goes to show that it's a serious matter and one I can't take lightly.

Trish -
Perhaps a good talk with the OB or midwives at the hospital about your fears might help you.
I'll definitely be doing that. I was going to wait until I had spoken to my doctor (who is an ob I think?) about it all on Friday but I couldn't wait, LOL. So I'll update with information from him. As for a VBAC being less expensive... I'm going public so it doesn't matter LOL. But I guess that is a compelling reason if someone was going private. Thanks for the emails too. Always helped to be armed with heaps of info. I know you have BTDT so I appreciate the advise.

Joh -
just want to point out that even tho you are classed as 'high risk' you have a right to say no to constant monitoring, and not being able to move around when you want.
I've heard that too but I'd also be worried if I wasn't monitored so it's a catch 22. Gab had the cord wrapped around her neck so tight that every time I had a contraction, he heart rate plummeted. I was told at the time that "something" was compressing on the cord and, after extensive monitoring, the decision was made to have a caesar. So I worry about not being monitored in case the same thing happened. That being said, I wonder if the cord would have been wrapped around her neck if I hadn't had so much early intervention. I was induced prior to my due date and left for 5 days in agony with "prostin pain". I believe that that last 2 days I was experiencing contractions but I'll never know for sure. I was exhausted. When my waters were broken (more intervention), there was meconium in the liquor - quite a bit actually. Gab was really stressed. So, yeah, perhaps the reason for needing a caesar with her was specific to the situation a the time and it's highly likely that it won't happen again (especially if I can avoid all the intervention).

Bec - I appreciate your advice given all you've been through. I have no idea about the special care facilities here in Hamilton - something I should ask about. If I do decide on a caesar, I'll be pushing to have the baby close to the due date if possible.

Chocolatecatty -
I'm sure you would find a hospital/ob to support you
Not a great deal of choice here, mate. The only hospital around here is Hamilton Base Hospital. Anything else is at least an hour away. Geelong is 2.5 hours away. When we first moved, I thought that I would ask to have the baby in Geelong (all my family and friends are there) but that was before I heard about the facilities at Hamilton. Apparently I get my own OB (even tho I'm public) that I see every visit... this is different from Geelong (a much larger hospital) where you see a different doctor just about every time. Patients at Hamilton also get their own room regardless whereas most public patients at Geelong have to share.

Shannon -
High BP on its own is not a good indication of pre-eclampsia, which is what you would get induced for
I wish I had known more about this before having Gab. I was literally told that they wanted to induce me "just in case". My BP was high. However there was no protein in my urine and I was not carrying any fluid. I was experiencing headaches but BP meds probably would have sorted them out. Was I on meds with Gab? No. It was talked about a lot and it never happened. I look back now and wish that I had pushed for them. Thanks for the tip re. taking my BP just before I am due to take my meds. I'll remember that.
A little labour goes a long way. And it's simply not 'failing' to do it that way. And I don't think wanting to try for a vbac is being selfish at all, I think it's a good thing.
When you put it that way it seems like the right thing to do. I guess the reason why I felt my reasons were selfish is because I want to experience labour again so that I can see if I can do it... however the wellbeing of the baby should be more important... does that make sense? I want to try vaginal birth for my own personal achievements. However, knowing that labour is good for the baby for a multitude of reasons changes all those feelings of selfishness.

Cailin -
I really do think that the chances of stillbirth are extremely low with a VBAC probably only slightly higher than a regular vag birth.
I guess that's true under normal circumstances but it's my family history that kind of ups the anti... iykwim? I just can't get it out of my head. My Mum has always been very open about her experience of losing her first born (and only boy) but there's always been something "missing" and I'm just so scared of it happening again. I'll definitely talk to my Dr. about it. I hope that he really listens. I've only seen him once so I have no idea what his stance is on VBAC or Caesarian sections.... he may be one of those caesar happy doctors... I guess time will tell. I can always change doctors if needs be.

Thanks so much for your input everyone. It's certainly food for thought!