Advice please - PND after EMCS, so ELCS or VB?

[wonderingifiam2013]

I had a horrific time with DC1 which ended after 3 days without sleep, deterioration of both baby and me, resulting in an EMCS.

I had undiagnosed PND, which I am trying my best to avoid this time as I was so unbelievably sad/didn't bond with baby.

So - do I go for an ELCS or try a VB? I am 99.9% sure I want an ELCS, as this has been recommended by friends who have had similar experiences, but would like to know if anyone has any experience of PND returning because they made the 'wrong' birthing decision the 2nd time around?

Am lucky that I will have family help afterwards but will have a toddler to contend with too

I had a terrible birth with DS1 too, he was back to back and it also went on from Sat morning to Monday lunchtime, no sleep, dehydration, lost a lot of blood, all around mess afterwards and although in the end I did have a natural birth I still ended up not being discharged from community mw service for 4 weeks after the birth.

I really thought I'd go elcs this time round because DS's birth left me fairly traumatised tbh and like you, I have great family but also a toddler to look after. I'm 37+3 now though and I've decided to go natural again. I'm hoping things will be quicker, at this stage baby appears to be in a better position, I feel more confident now that I know what to expect and if everything is straightforward I could be discharged and back home after a few hours with a much shorter recovery time.

That being said, everyone is different. If you really feel elcs will make you feel more confident about the birth there is no shame in requesting one, but do make sure you talk it over with GP or your mw so you feel like you have explored all your options. Best of luck!!