I have had both vaginal births, a "elective caesarean" and a VBAC. Now while at the time I argued about the chance to birth my breech baby vaginally it was always met with the same answer.

I only wish that I was a more emporwed and even more informed woman then. I was given no real choices about my sons birth. I won't say that my c section was a negative experience. Most of the things I asked for were allowed. Had I known that there were more options I sure would have choosen them.

However, if not for my son's caesarean birth I would not have gone on the pursue and have my VBAC homebirth. It was because I knew that I would not be given the support for the birth that I wanted at hospital that I decided to employ an Independant midwife and do it my way. I cannot begin to tell you how very empowering just that in itself was.

My midwife was there for me for my whole labour and she will be there again for me in December for this baby.

What I do hate seeing is some women, and I'm not saying all, but there is a vast majorty out there, who do take what there OB says as gospel and they truely believe that they "rescued" them in their birth. They could not have done it without their OB. He/she got the baby in time, bub was distressed etc. Alot of girls are being led down the garden path, or like lambs to the slaughter house. What is needed is more education before these women need "rescuing".

Berry and Caro, I don't think that Kiki was saying
Berry, It's fantastic that you have a good relationship with your OB BUT it is because women like you
as a personal attack, more of a general statement, that there are a lot of women who do put alot of faith in the OB's and it's not always the best place to have it. Have faith in yourself and your own ability to birth and you will go a long way.

Everyone has their own reasons for wanting this birth or that birth. We are all individuals and as such deserve to make up our own minds. As long as that is a fully and unbiased opinion then you cannot ask for more.

Once you have your birth there is no going back. You can't change the bits you didn't like. It's up to us, as women to make sure we know as much as we posibly can. Have a voice and use it, or hire a doula or independant midwife to be your advocate and fully support you in your birth. Is that emergency c section really an emergancy if it takes another hour to get you into theatre ?? Or could you have waited and attempted that birth for another hour ?? Sometimes, unfortunately women are just pressured to make a decision in a split second. When in reality they do have the time to think it over.

Are you ready to risk your uterus and the chance of it affecting any subsequent births on a whim ?? Unfortunatley when it comes to something as serious as a c section it doesn't only affect the here and now it affects your whole birthing future.