Charmalea - get a hold of New Active Birth hun - it is SO worth the read. If you can't get a copy, then read as many articles on here and elsewhere about the stages of labour etc. so that even if you do end up in a c/s you will know you go in knowing you have done everything you possibly can. Don't forget that nobody can make you do anything in hospital that you don't give consent to. Do not let them bully you into it and question everything. When in labour there are a number of books that recommend that before ANYTHING is done to you, you ask the following questions-
WHAT? are you going to do and what will it do?
WHY? are you going to do it
WHAT? will happen if I say no now but maybe yes later???? I wish now that I remembered this in labour with Isabelle but I think that even with booking in a c/s that even if they say it is policy, you can qeustion why in other states and countries they let vbac'ers go longer (The answer is that there is NO proof or studies to show that the c/s needs to be booked so early) You can say no.

Read these articles (even if you have read them!) and print them off to take with you when you go to your next appointment hun. Check out the birthrites website which is absolutely fabulous.
Uterine Rupture https://www.bellybelly.com.au/birth/vbac-vaginal-birth-after-caesarean
https://www.bellybelly.com.au/birth/vbac-on-whose-terms
Sorry I seem pushy hun, I just feel so passionately about all of this - Yep Im worried about what is going to happen for my VBAC - BUT I am doing absolutely everything I can to ensure I give it my best shot. Im going to have acupucture later on to try ot induce labour if I have'nt gone in spontaneously, I am exercising so that I am fit enough to have a very active birth, I am printing off reams of paper of info to give to my hospital if they even mention the words 40 weeks and C/S in the one breath. I know that my body is made to do this given a chance.

Mummatotwo - Im sorry your DH is worried too hun - get him to read the links above as well. Were you induced with your first??? Let him know that the risk of uterine rupture is the same for a first time induced mother as it is for us attempting VBAC. I know I wasn't told of the risks so why do they put such a fine point on it when we are going for a VBAC. Our risks of DYING or needing a hysterectomy, of baby being damaged and needing breathing assistance, need blood transfusions etc are all MAJOR risks of c/s - did the midwife go through those risk?? Nope, interesting isn't it.
It is a hard choice to make hun regarding your maternal assisted c/s. Just remember that the rate of success for vbac in Australia is around 70-80% so you have a pretty good shot at it if you have good support people. I have the same concerns regarding my girl. She will be 16 1/2 mths when bub arrives and the thought of not being able to pick her up and look after her properly kills me. That is one of my main motivations to fight as much as I can and to educate myself as much as I can on VBAC because midwives and obs don't seem to be as concerned as I am of the much bigger risk associated with me having a c/s rather than having a birth.

Ticklish - It is hard not to just yell at people and make them realise what a traumatic and horrid experience c/s can be. They do seem to think it is the easy way out. My GF had her DD in Jan, and she used to say things like, Oh I don't want the pain in my vj so I might just end up telling them I want a c/s or induction etc - it was hard but I begged her not to, and kept reminding her of what I was like even 4 weeks post-op.

I feel like saying to people - if you had a choice, would you CHOOSE to have major abdominal surgery - like a hysterectomy, for no reason? ( I know some people have good reason and that is different) of course not and the same goes for women birthing after a c/s.

Gosh Im rambling on ladies - sorry, will get off my soapbox now, but I just really wanted to encourage you all because I feel like all 4 of us are in the same boat, with the same fears and are facing the same walls against us. I just feel that we DO have a choice. We are smart, educated women who care about our babies, our bodies and how we are going to bring these babies into world and I for one know I am not going to lie down (literally) and let them walk all over me for no reason.

to you all!!!!!! and if I have offended or overstepped here, I do apologise. Mods we are chatting about vbac and being a bit negative about c/s in a general chatter section so if you prefer we could move to a thread in the vbac section.