VBAC vs elective CS - were you as confused as I am?

[Heaven]

I read lots!!

I loved 'Ina May's Guide to Childbirth'!!!! I decided to trust my body. I figured people have been doing this for thousands of years so there's no reason I can't too! I realised that last time wasn't because there was something wrong with me, it was because of the interference of the hospital. I decided this time no one was going to interfere with my labour!! I was going to let my body do it's thing!!

I read lots about VBAC (like 'Silent Knife') so that I was confident and not scared about a VBAC and I stayed home as long as I could. I also got into a midwifery program and got a good midwife. I wrote a birth plan saying that I would not be consenting to any of the usual VBAC procedures (i.e. constant monitoring, cannula, time limits, etc) and got an OB to sign it.

I also felt that last time I didn't deal with the pain very well and needed more ideas so I read Juju Sundin's 'Birth Skills' and it made me feel more in control and like I had options. So in control in fact that I never even got to using many of my ideas because I was doing fine with breathing and pacing and didn't feel I needed to!! The pain never got unbearable. With DD1 it was unbearable!! I thought it would be the same. Maybe it was, but I was more in control. There is no guarantee it will be the same as last time, you can have a labour that is less painful and that you actually enjoy!! I never thought I'd say that.

You can do it! Believe in yourself.