I'm pregnant with number 2 and after a pretty horrific labour resulting in an emergency c-section with DS1 I've been given the option to elect for one this time. Doc told me mums have a 60-70% chance of delivering naturally second time round after c-sections, which surprised me. I thought the success rate was much lower.

Really interested in hearing some experiences from you guys.

Hi I had emcs with DD1. Offered elective for DD2, turned it down as felt I should give VBAC a go. Wish I hadn't as had bad tear as well as episiotomy and had to have ventouse to get her out - whilst they were putting in the drip for the crash section I was getting if that push hadn't worked - it all happened so fast that my perineum (is that right) was a mess and 6 months on I have a lot of pain still. Bascially - wish I had gone for the elective - but then I would never have known what might have happened.

Sorry for ramble - my point is that you can never know what will or won't happen. Other people will come on who have had a wonderful VBAC.

Best of luck deciding - only you can make peace with your decision. Good luck!

In fact my SIL had her second DC 2 weeks before me, she had a VBAC and it was wonderful - she had a epidural, felt in control and all went well and no lasting ill effects.

Such a difficult decision, I found.

A lot depends on why you had the em c-s. I had one with my first - he was big and got stuck. I had a VBAC with my smaller second baby - having had a full labour first time round, my second labour was v v quick. But I was asked to go in straight away for monitoring for the VBAC, and the midwives seemed quite surprised it had been successful - I too thought the VBAC success rate was lower that you cite.

If you go for the VBAC, I'd recommend reading the NICE guidelines on it - basically, a VBAC attempt shouldn't last more than six hours.

My instructions to my DH were that if labour stalled, or it reached 6 hours (or wasn't progressing so it would be over in 6 hours), we'd ask for an em CS. As it happened, it went really well - but I felt confident about it, as I had an 'out' after max 6 hrs, unlike first time round which was long & painful!

Hi I had an EMCS with my DD. It took me ages to feel that I could go through another one so when I got pregnant again I was pretty terrified!! I found it a really difficult decision but I was determined to try to have a VBAC.

Unfortunately, I ended up with another EMCS.However, my recovery from it was much better (I think partly because my labour had been much shorter). I was really glad I attempted the VBAC as I think I would have always wondered.

Good Luck whatever you decide!

The actual number is around 36% that have successful vbacs - information is on the c-section organisation/society website. I was told 80%, but I think thats the chance that the reason why a c-section happened the first time happens again.

I'm pushing at an elective, first baby was too big to come out and never descended this baby is looking even bigger but final decision probably won't be made until a NHS 38 week scan.

I had a VBAC 14 months after a CSection, so can be done! Did it on gas and air too. I had also had a natural birth first time round, before the CSection, so I suppose I knew what I was letting myself in for!

I found VB really empowering,and although I don't regret my CSection (no point - medical reasons so no choice) I am really glad to have experienced natural childbirth, as although it hurts, it makes you feel you can rule the world!

Always remember that it is unlikely to make any difference how the baby is born to the baby. GP friend of mine had two elective C-sections her rationale was that it was statistically safer for the baby. You make many more decisions eg. to BF or not that can have a long term impact on their health.

First time around DS was too big and also had the cord wrapped around his body so was like a big Michellin baby. I'd only dilated 4cm after a 22 hour labour when his heart rate dropped to 60bpm and he was whipped out within a couple of minutes.

Singinbear - your story has almost convinced me! My biggest fear is tearing or having to have an episiotomy. A friend had third degree tears with her first four years ago and still has trouble and pain when going to the loo. I'm not hugely bothered about giving birth naturally, like I was first time around. I almost feel as though I should give it go a though. I also figure that I have a scar from the CSEC already and my privates are in tact and in full working order so why mess any further?

Wolfear - that is exactly how I felt - ie that I "should give it a go" - felt that people (MIL, basically!) would judge me for copping out - wish I had gone down that route! My neighbour is a theatre recovery nurse and works on a lot of C-sections - she said to me beforehand why mess up your bits as well and recommended an elective. However, I would always have wondered whether a VBAC would have worked - and I would have felt like I had chosen the "easier option" - that's what I mean about you have to make peace with yourself about your decision.

Best of luck with everything.