my c/s wasn't an elective as such - was deemed an emergency, but i made the call myself and it was an informed decision and all that stuff - it was just in the very early hours of the morning when an induction didn't work!

my c/s wasn't at all traumatic. i didn't feel like my "control" was taken away at all - i was heard in what i wanted, i was supported in what i wanted. i was even respected in not having the mask on during the surgery as i knew it would make me unwell

i had a fantastic team of people with me - my hubby, the midwife, that anaesthetist - they were there for me - they answered any questions i had before, during and after. i was kept informed every step of the way. the surgeon and registrar didn't say much to me, but i was ok with that - they were doing a job - that paed included DH from the outset - he was with DD while she was being checked etc.

i don't talk much about my c/s - i don't feel a need (and perhaps that's why you don't read much) - i don't need to debrief or ask for answers - i know what happened, i know why it happened. i am not at all traumatised by it. i guess, to me, it makes sense that you don't read a lot about positive birth experiences as, once they've been shared once (in a birth story) it's not something the person dwells on. we don't feel a need to have those pressing questions answered because there are NO questions.

my birth story is in my sig (it's long! lol) - i gave birth around 5am and was up and about by lunch time, without assistance. we had BF issues to start with as we waited for my milk to come in - but it wasn't anything major.

if we're lucky enough to become pregnant again, i will probably book an elective c/s around my EDD (not in advance - there is no reason that i can see) - if i go into natural labour, i may try for a VBAC, but if not, it won't stress me out going for a c/s again



my recovery was like Maz and Mel - very easy - but for many, this isn't the case. i know you mentioned having issues recovering from your VB so you may also struggle with healing from the c/s if it's the way your body heals. don't be ashamed of asking for pain relief if you need it. don't be afraid to admit you're not as comfortable as you thought you'd be. a c/s IS major surgery - yes, you get your wonderful baby at the end - but there is no shame admitting it hurts if it does! and if it doesn't go the way you want and you're traumatised in any way, there is no shame in admitting that either! just because you're opting for a c/s doesn't mean you have to be perfectly content with the way the birth goes.

good luck!

BG