I didn't go down the IVF road but I was a LTTTCer. I started TTC at 28. I gave birth for the first time at 42.

I never once thought about having a planned CS. I just hoped I could have a vaginal birth. I was quite worried actually that I would have to have an emergency CS due to my age causing complications. In the end it was a vaginal birth with the help of a vac.

I must admit after giving birth I thought "I'm not doing that again, and if by some miracle I do give birth again it will be a CS". That was all about pain and trauma though, nothing to do with safety. I think I've got over those thoughts now.

I've never looked at the stats on safety of CS so I don't know the facts but I guess I kind of think it would safer for bubs to be born that way, but not for mum. I base this on all the problems that can occur during labour that bubs would not face if it's just cut out. That's probably how a lot of people see it when they've been trying for so long.

That said I still thought a vaginal birth was best for us as did my OB. CS was never ever discussed.

I never thought I'd have the issues I had with BF. I thought there could be a few hurdles but that I would still manage to do it OK. It didn't turn out that way. Even though I'd picked my hospital partially because they had a large SCN I didn't really expect to have to use it. A bub in there for 5 days made things far more difficult for BF than I ever expected.

Our bub was conceived naturally. Maybe that's why I didn't think about planned CS or BF difficulties. I guess I just figured that I got pregnant without help, I should be able to birth & feed bubs as well. Maybe when you've had so much assistance to get there you lose a little confidence in your ability to do those things.