scooby I'm really sorry you had such a horrid time of it and I completely understand why you're so scared.

I'm going to answer you the way you asked, and tell you what I would do if I had that experience the first time. For me, I would plan for another vaginal birth, I would get myself the ballsiest, bulldog of a doula I could find and I would refuse to be induced for any "just in case" reason while ever my baby was healthy.

Without minimising what you went through, your story is one that is seen a fair bit with induced labours and epidurals (aside from what you're poor little man went through...obviously that doesn't happen every day...thank goodness). Nearly every thing you've described there is interelated. Even at nearly 42 weeks, if your baby is doing well it's still OK to wait. Inductions with first babies are often pretty torrid experiences

Only you can make this decision. I guess too I come from a place where I have experienced a vaginal birth and a really horrid caesarean...I dont' have any physical scars or side effects from my VB, but I still have side effects from the c/s above and beyond the usual belly scar.

Good luck hun.