Personally Lauren, its your choice - and I will probably get shot down for this one, but its a niggling feeling I have in the back that I can't help having when I hear of non-medical c-sects on the first baby but.... If you are unwilling to go through the pain of labour for your baby, then really what are you willing to do for them?

See - its a horrible judgemental feeling but it sits there and gets ignored most times because I am very much an advocate of womens right to choose - whether I personally agree with it or not. Normally I wouldn't mention it, but I thought at least some food for thought. My bad, I know.

On the flip side - I believe there is a lot of literature regarding c-sections, the cumulative damage and how it affects your future delivery prospects. Sure, you can ask for a vbac, but sometimes its like pushing a cow pat uphill with a paddle pop stick.

I would - at the very least - recommend making sure you are fully informed before you make that decision.

Oh, and don't let the prolapse/incontinence stories scare you. There is a LOT to be said for pelvic floor exercises - and a recent study has shown that the damage is done by the pregnancy, not the delivery so c-sec women arent protected from it. I am on #6 with no incontinence and my cervix is still "very high" - which actually means my uterus is still sitting high in my body. Mum had 7 of us and her pelvic floor is in great shape too. My sis is on #8 and very proud of hers. We simply didn't shirk learning how to and properly exercising our pelvic floors. So I tend to think there isnt much too it if you are really determined to prevent it yourself. Its like any other muscle.

On the pain aspect of a VB - Its not actually that bad. I'll be the first to admit that it hurts like a b***h. But mentally you are already prepared for the pain because its natural and instinctive. You deliver the baby and its all worth it. We women are marvellous creations - men simply could never understand the miracle of carrying and birthing a child. I wouldn't give up this ability willingly for all the money in the world!

Ok, rambling - off I go to clutter up other threads, haha.