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• Pregnancy & children >> Making decisions about birth after caesarean >> Aged 36-39 >> Interview 06 >> With her first birth, she went along with whatever the medical team recommended. In her second pregnancy, she felt more prepared to question things.

Had planned CS with 1st child due to his expected size. Felt CS was unnecessary, but stress-free way of having baby. Difficult decision with 2nd child, felt both anxious and curious about labour. Now pleased to have had vaginal birth with ventouse.

• Pregnancy & children >> Making decisions about birth after caesarean >> Aged 31-35 >> Interview 10 >> She felt confident that she would have a natural birth because the pregnancy itself went so well.

Reached final stage of labour with 1st child, cord wrapped around baby's neck, had last minute CS. Felt cheated and experienced postnatal depression. Determined to have vaginal birth with 2nd child. Had easy labour and 'perfect' birth experience.

• Pregnancy & children >> Making decisions about birth after caesarean >> Aged 36-39 >> Interview 12 >> She thinks as a nurse with an insight into the medical system she was more able to assert her wishes than other women might have been in the same situ

Keen on vaginal birth with 1st child, felt she lost control at hospital, had various interventions and emergency CS. Decided to have VBAC with 2nd child against consultant's advice, but supported by doula and midwife. Very pleased with unassisted birth.

• Pregnancy & children >> Making decisions about birth after caesarean >> Aged 30 and under >> Interview 14 >> Making a choice about how to give birth to her second child was difficult because she felt uncertain which was the best option. Now she feels more con

Admitted to hospital with pre-eclampsia, 1st child was born 6 weeks premature and had to spend 10 days in SCBU. Found it very difficult to decide how to give birth to 2nd child, worried about risks either way. Had vaginal birth assisted by ventouse.

• Pregnancy & children >> Making decisions about birth after caesarean >> Aged 36-39 >> Interview 15 >> She was convinced that she would not go into labour naturally because of her previous experience and family history. It made her confident that she wo

Went overdue with 1st child and was induced at 42 weeks, but drugs had no effect. Delivered 3 days later by epidural CS. Determined to have planned CS with 2nd child, as felt unlikely she would go into labour. Planned CS was a wonderful experience, far less tiring.

• Pregnancy & children >> Making decisions about birth after caesarean >> Aged 30 and under >> Interview 17 >> She thinks women who don't have a strong preference about how to give birth might find it difficult to make up their own mind and be swayed by the vie

Waters broke but 1st baby's head was outside the pelvis. Induced, then had emergency CS. Agonised over how to deliver 2nd child, persuaded by health professionals to attempt VBAC. Laboured to 7cm, but baby's head not engaged so needed another emergency CS.

• Pregnancy & children >> Making decisions about birth after caesarean >> Aged 30 and under >> Interview 23 >> She made a detailed birth plan for her VBAC and felt more confident to express her wishes knowing more about what to expect.

Had lengthy labour with 1st child after being induced, taken for emergency CS after baby's heart beat dropped. Explored options early in 2nd pregnancy, decided on VBAC. 2nd child born after 10 hours, painful labour but great sense of achievement.

• Pregnancy & children >> Making decisions about birth after caesarean >> Aged 30 and under >> Interview 23 >> She didn't feel comfortable stating her preferences too resolutely but thinks she'd be more comfortable talking about them with her next birth.

Had lengthy labour with 1st child after being induced, taken for emergency CS after baby's heart beat dropped. Explored options early in 2nd pregnancy, decided on VBAC. 2nd child born after 10 hours, painful labour but great sense of achievement.

• Pregnancy & children >> Making decisions about birth after caesarean >> Aged 31-35 >> Interview 19 >> She would advise women to consider all available information and not be afraid to ask for a planned caesarean if that was their choice. Played by an a

Her waters broke 10 days past her due date, but contractions did not start. She was induced, didn't dilate, then had CS after 14 hours of labour. Chose to have a planned CS with 2nd child as felt pessimistic about her chances of having a vaginal birth.

• Pregnancy & children >> Making decisions about birth after caesarean >> Aged 31-35 >> Interview 26 >> She felt like her baby was not really hers for the first few weeks. She expressed milk for her daughter at the special care unit but lacked the confid

1st child born prematurely at 30 weeks by emergency CS due to preeclampsia. Had good physical recovery but felt 'in shock'. 13 years later felt keen and confident to have VBAC with 2nd child. Had short but intense labour, birth was painful but 'amazing experience'.

• Pregnancy & children >> Making decisions about birth after caesarean >> Aged 31-35 >> Interview 26 >> She always wanted to experience vaginal birth for herself. The support of her partner made her feel confident and secure enough to attempt it.

1st child born prematurely at 30 weeks by emergency CS due to preeclampsia. Had good physical recovery but felt 'in shock'. 13 years later felt keen and confident to have VBAC with 2nd child. Had short but intense labour, birth was painful but 'amazing experience'.

• Pregnancy & children >> Making decisions about birth after caesarean >> Aged 31-35 >> Interview 27 >> Based on her own experience, she thinks women who want a planned caesarean need to state this clearly because health professionals tend to assume that

1st child was breech, had planned caesarean. Struggled to breastfeed and felt low for long after. Wanted planned CS with 2nd child, but felt pushed into VBAC by clinicians. Went into labour early and had emergency CS at 38 weeks, found experience worse than previous.

• Pregnancy & children >> Making decisions about birth after caesarean >> Aged 40 and over >> Interview 30 >> She felt reluctant to ask staff for help, but was glad they convinced her to stay in hospital for a bit longer. Handling the baby with the midwife pre

Wanted waterbirth with 1st child, went overdue. Induced at 42 weeks, did not dilate despite interventions. Baby delivered by emergency CS after heart rate dropped. Trusted medical team and feels no regrets, but hopes to have vaginal birth with 2nd child.