Does a C Section with #1 mean a c section with #2?

[theladyintheyellowhat]

I had an elective c section (due to failure to progress, etc) with my first baby 15 months ago and am now ttc #2... does this mean I'll be offered one for my second?

I'm not sure whether you'll be offered one. Did you want one? If not, you could go for a vbac. They usually recommend at least 2 years between deliveries but a friend of mine had an 18month gap and had a straightforward natural birth with #2. she did use an independent mw though...

I'm not sure... A friend of mine had a natural delivery with her first, then an ELCS with her second and said she'd choose the C Section everytime!

But then I worry that i'd be missing out on the experience, IYSWIM.

Not necessarily. I had emCS first time and am aiming for VBAC for DC2. I all be very monitored though and as a result a water birth is ruled out.
The moment things don't go to plan, I will be wheeled out to theatre.

Similar to DialMforMummy, I also had an EMCS first time and am planning a VBAC for DC2 (now 31 weeks). My trust are REALLY pro-VBAC's though, so I don't have to be heavily monitored and can have a water birth if I want (although I am under consultant care this time). I think it depends on where you are, and what your hospital policies are on them. It's probably worth a conversation with your GP/MW, at some stage to find out your options.

I was overdue both times. Ended up with EMCS first tine and then ELCS after discussion as I was going to try VBAC but didn't want to go through induction process again

I had an EMCS for DC1 for FTP. DC2 is due next month (DC1 will be 20m) and I'm aiming for a HBAC. The home birth pack arrived last night They keep a closer eye on you (asking you how your scar feels & doing monitoring every 15mins in stage 2 at the bare minimum - full EFM if they're a bunch of pansies )

No it certainly does not: I had an EMCS for DD1 after long protracted labour that was going nowhere. I got my VBAC for DD2 the day before I was booked in for an ELCS (great timing DD2 ).

Can easily say it was the best thing I'd ever done. A natural birth was so important to me as I was third generation possible CPD (and resultant CS) and I was heartbroken at the booking appointment for the ELCS (they even called a psych consultant on me I was so depressed). Second labour was different in virtually every way, all done and dusted in just over 12 hours. I won't lie - it hurts. But to be able to look at your baby and think 'I'm just going to pick you up now' instead of 'you'll need picking up in twenty minutes or so, I'd better start trying to sit up' was worth every second of it.

They will offer you an elective if you want one. It can be better from the logistics side of things (especially arranging childcare second time around!) to know exactly when baby's arriving. But if you want to at least give it a go, GO FOR IT