vaginal verses elective c section

[KIM10]

I have post traumatic stress disorder relating to rape and pregnancy birth have triggers I talked to my mental health midwife and I have to decide between having a vaginal birth or elective c- section help please with experience of same thing or having had vaginal and c-section I would be most appreciate of your advice and experience

Hi I don't have experience of rape. However I had a vaginal birth. I was very afraid of the birth and the nhs wanted to give me a c section because of health issues and I didn't know what I wanted to do. I also had ptsd to other reasons. In the end, on the advice of the nhs midwife, I used an independent midwife. Don't know if this is a viable option for you because I had to pay for this service. She worked with me, used counselling, imagery work, exercises and I went from being mega afraid to feeling like an earth mother going through a right of passage. If it isn't, perhaps your mental health midwife could help you go through imagery work/exercises, books, maybe find some appropriate counselling. I can imagine elected c section could also be a big thing. I'm really glad I went through a vaginal birth. But I'm not you. There are also doulas out there. Good luck X

Can't help with your decision but would definitely suggest a doula or independent midwife you are comfy with if going for vaginal birth.