Ooh and congratulations peppa, jenbird and missl - big baby missl!!
Thanks very much everyone for the congratulations 
. Sorry, haven't had the chance to catch up with the threads immediately before mine. Will try after posting if the wee man obliges by staying asleep!
With the episiotomy there was just no question, I was going to tear badly or they could cut me, and in my mind at least that was the controlled option which meant that I could get him out on the next push. It had been a long pushing stage (about two hours with one hour of me trying on my own, another hour coached) and by the end everyone shouting at me that I had to push harder (three people - two midwives and DH!) and I could feel that he just wasn't coming out as it was. It's a bit sore but really fine, I'm very glad I had it. I did buy some witch hazel, I just have no idea where it is now!
I can't believe you're contemplating DTD yw! Respect!
mrswee I couldn't go to the birthing unit because of the EMCS last time but I did spend the rest of the night there after James was born as the normal Simpson's was full. Was very very nice. But it was also nice in the Simpson's, the staff were incredibly supportive of the VBAC and very respectful of my birth preferences. They offered to let me labour in the pool which I did for a while and I would have delivered there but the doctors wanted to get me out to check dilation and I stayed out then as things were hotting up.
I found the hypnobirthing really really helpful this time BTW, the breathing really eased the pain in early labour and got me to 7cm. After that, gas and air helped! TENS too.