TheMulledBloodsOnMe - my VBAC was for dc3. DC1 was a totally natural vb, then dc2 was Csection. The main reason for going for VBAC for dc3, was that the consultant was quite frank, and said that on balance, although we're talking very low risk factors anyway with all this, there would be a slightly higher risk in having another CS. There was no medical need for it this time round, and that's what triggered my decision to try for it.
I went into labour about a week before my due date, which was lucky as I know they won't want to induce you due to the risk that presents when you have a uterine scar. They are also not keen for you to have an epidural, as if the mother can feel the contractions totally, it's a lot easier to monitor the scar and how things are progressing. My waters broke with meconium in them, but the hospital were fairly laid back, and just said 'have a shower, then come in when you're ready'. By this point I was having some contractions. I got to hospital about two hours later, and continued having contractions for around another 7/8 hours, though they weren't regular, all over the place really, some very close together and very painful, and others less so. I was allowed in the bath to relax (which surprised me, as I thought once the waters had broken they might be keen to avoid that).
I had a venflon in my hand, because the risk of CS is greater, and they want to be able to pump drugs in if necessary. I laboured most of the way through entirely drug free, then had a few puffs of gas and air for about the last hour. I wasn't monitored continuously, just periodically, but insisted that I be allowed to keep mobile. Towards the end, the baby's heartrate got a bit worrying, and the doctor insisted on monitoring with foetal scalp monitor - ouch, takes a bit of prodding to get that in place, but once again, nothing horrendous, and I just used gas and air. That was probably on for around half an hour, and when they took a reading, the heart rate was dropping still and they started talking about possibly a cs, but again, no great panic. At that point I was ready to push, and second stage was very quick - too quick, as I tore quite badly, which upset me, as it was a smaller baby than first time, and I did feel the birth could have been better managed from that point of view. Unfortunately with a VBAC you will get a lot of doctors around, which actually wasn't what I needed at that point - I just wanted a good midwife to guide me slowly through the crowning. However, once the baby was out and I was stitched up, I was so relieved to have had a VBAC, as I was off the bed and in the bath, and home later that day.
In terms of recovery, it really is easiest if you have a VBAC. I looked on it as short term pain for the sake of getting up and out of hospital within hours.