Hi Sav, welcome to BB.

First off I will say that I believe you CAN elect to have a c-section through the public system, although you probably have to go through some mental health testing to see if you qualify first. Most people of course go privately so they just choose to do it, without all the hassle.

You remind me very much of my own situation nearly 5 years ago. However, I joined a private health fund specifically to get private hospital cover so I could choose to have my c-section. I was terrified of the thought of a vaginal birth, it absolutely scared the bejesus outta me. My sister chose to have c-sections, so I did to, there was NOOOO way in hell I was going to squeeze something that big out of myself - it just didn't seem possible and I didn't want to attempt it in any shape or form, I was just too bloody terrified. I had heard so many horror stories (my mum nearly dying with my brother, my cousin having to have 144 stitches after her first birth etc) and yeah, there was just no way I was having a natural birth.

However had I come on BB when pregnant with my first child, I might have put it out there about my fears and realised that it was pretty normal to be scared of childbirth. I mean, after all - its a scary thing - its out of your control what might happen, the horror stories of things that can go wrong, the pain!!

So instead of saying stuff like I think you should have a vaginal birth (if you can see my signature you will see that I've had 2 sections, and 1 VB) because you are posting in the c-section SUPPORT part of the forum (which I think some people didn't notice ) all I am going to say is that - do some research. I wish someone had told me to do some research into c-sections vs vaginal births 5 years ago, I really do.

Some excellent references are "Childbirth without Fear" (awesome book for relieving some normal fears from your mind about childbirth - well it did for me), "Birthing from Within" and also on the other side of the coin "Delivery by Appointment" (c-section book).

I think its best if you research both sides (pros and cons) of a vaginal birth vs a c-section, mainly because I wish someone had told me that before I had to fight for a vaginal birth when I realised thats what I wanted!

Good luck