Help what to do!!!

[skeetaboat]

Just wanted to throw in another positive c/s experience. I've had two, one under GA & one with just a spinal. Both were great. While I know I could have done lots of mental preparation for a vaginal birth and possibly had a great experience with it, I also know myself and what I'm like, and I think the only way I would have coped with the experience well would be if I could have birthed in a dark room by myself, which we all know is a very difficult to achieve (unless you have a really great, trusted, idependent midwife who can help you achieve a hands off homebirth, and you have the $$$ to pay for it, and nothing goes wrong requiring a transfer). The emotional side of things aside, I'm happy that my perineum remained in tact and everything is still the same 'down there'. I have no regrets, no BFing or bonding problems (breastfed my first for 2 years), and little pain beyond the first couple of days... and even that wasn't bad because they give you strong pain relief.

Many people do have quite a hard time with cesareans, so it's worth reading many different people's experiences so you know what it can be like. I think for many, part of the reason that it is so traumatic is because they feel disempowered by the experience and/or really wanted a vaginal birth. If a cesarean is what you want and choose, and you know what to expect so that the pain or some other aspect of it doesn't take you by surprise, then I don't think you are likely to be traumatised by it. For me, I think I would have been the opposite- if I had been forced or coerced into a vaginal birthing experience it when I wasn't emotionally/mentally prepared for it or wasn't able to do it on my terms I would have found *that* traumatic and been angry/p***ed off about the experience.

Moral of the story is, do whatever you feel most comfortable with. You know yourself best, and what's right for you.g Reading about the range of people's experiences will help you understand what you're in for, either way.

Goodluck with whatever you decide.