Your labour sounds much like mine except for the fact mine was over 3 days and it kept stalling until I had my induction Do you know if bub was in a posterior position? That would explain the painful contrations, Noah was posterior and it makes for a very painful and slow labour. I now know there are exercises you can do toat the start of labour help bub into a more favourable position if it is posterior.

I have decided to try for my VBAC because the idea of major abdominal surgery scares me more than the pain of labour and the fact the recovery period is much faster with a natural birth. Having a VBAC is also safer but when you are scared sometimes it doesn't matter if it is safer or not, fear is a really powerful thing.

Kelly posted a link to a great YouTube video full of affirmations for pregnancy and birth that helps remove the self doubt if you are interested in watching it. I found it has made me more confident in my choice and I watch it periodically to remind myself that my VBAC can be done, here is the link. YouTube - Mind Movie Birth Visualisation

Have a read in the VBAC thread as well to get some stories of experiences from others. Best of luck making a decision! I have a heap of VBAC links bookmarked if you are interested in going that route just PM me and I can send them your way.