Great post Bec. I gave the first response to Keira, knowing that there would be a snowstorm of others
Just thought maybe I'd amplify my own response a bit. I've had 2 c/secs, both of which I'm grateful for. I was highly informed all the way and had chosen carers with very low c/sec rates, both times. My first (first birth) was a situation similar but not quite as bad as Bec described with her friend...yes I probably could continued to labour but it would have been long, exhausting, & could likely have required a c/sec anyway. Because I had bent over backwards to choose an environment and carers who were committed to vaginal birth as the norm, the advice to have one carried more weight. Although I felt and still feel that it was the right decision, even so it took me a full year to really come to terms with it.
Following that I had 2 VBACs. Neither were particularly easy births...I seem to specialize in long labours and babies who present in less common ways Both were totally natural deliveries. Having experienced both, there is no comparison between a caesarean and a vaginal delivery.
My next c/sec was for completely different reasons: PPROM and poor doppler flow to the placenta. We scheduled a c/sec but ended up with an emergency one because I went into labour. Again, I had a midwife and supervising OB who were very committed to VBAC and recommended a caesarean with reluctance. Once more, I could have insisted on a vaginal delivery if I wanted to. My doctor told me that if the labour went very quickly and I ended up delivering vaginally, before I got into theatre, that probably all would be well anyway. I felt comfortable, although very disappointed, with the decision for a c/sec because I was very well informed and felt that my doctor and I were on the same page.
Being interrupted by little ones, so I can't finish!!