• Clip
• Pregnancy & children >> Making decisions about birth after caesarean >> Aged 40 and over >> Interview 05 >> Because of a previous miscarriage, she did not start to think about how to give birth until her hospital appointment at 20 weeks.

Had a very traumatic 1st birth, long labour, CS was offered only after baby went into distress. Felt excluded from decisions and treated unsympathetically. Felt pushed into VBAC with 2nd birth. Chose to go private instead and had planned CS.

• Pregnancy & children >> Making decisions about birth after caesarean >> Aged 36-39 >> Interview 25 >> She was surprised at how little information there was available for pregnant women who have had a previous caesarean.

Wanted intervention-free birth, but was induced when 14 days overdue. Laboured for 19 hours, accepted CS when baby became distressed. Felt involved in decision-making, but disappointed afterwards. Keen to experience vaginal birth with 2nd child.

• Pregnancy & children >> Making decisions about birth after caesarean >> Aged 36-39 >> Interview 15 >> It is important for consultants to know their patients' individual circumstances so they don't give advice that is irrelevant.

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 36-39 >> Interview 15 >> She was disappointed that the consultant she saw at the hospital was just going through standard advice rather than tailoring the information to her p

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 16 >> After she had booked her caesarean, she received a leaflet describing the pros and cons. It would have been good to have the information before meetin

Had emergency CS after 18 hours of labour due to 1st baby's large size and awkward position. Recovery was difficult, felt low and exhausted for one month. Same problems of size and position with 2nd pregnancy, advised to have planned CS. Planned CS was much better experience.

• Pregnancy & children >> Making decisions about birth after caesarean >> Aged 40 and over >> Interview 08 >> The consultant told her that in her position she, too, would have opted for a caesarean. This helped to reassure her that she had made the right choic

Keen on unassisted birth with 1st child. Slow to go into labour and dilate. Had epidural and then CS 2 days after waters broke. Felt cheated at first but adjusted with time. Had planned CS with 2nd child to avoid previous ordeal.

• Pregnancy & children >> Making decisions about birth after caesarean >> Aged 40 and over >> Interview 08 >> She went along with her consultant's advice to have a repeat caesarean but did not feel put under pressure in any way. Played by an actor.

Keen on unassisted birth with 1st child. Slow to go into labour and dilate. Had epidural and then CS 2 days after waters broke. Felt cheated at first but adjusted with time. Had planned CS with 2nd child to avoid previous ordeal.

• Pregnancy & children >> Making decisions about birth after caesarean >> Aged 36-39 >> Interview 15 >> She was convinced that a caesarean was the best option for her given her previous medical history, so she wanted the doctor to book a date straightawa

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 31-35 >> Interview 20 >> She felt reassured in her decision to attempt vaginal birth when the consultant told her she would not be left to labour for as long as she did with h

Went 8 days overdue with 1st child, laboured for 48 hours. Had epidural and then emergency CS when child became distressed. Easy recovery but felt wrong about having planned CS with 2nd child. Considered it during labour but persevered and had vaginal birth assisted by forceps.

• Pregnancy & children >> Making decisions about birth after caesarean >> Aged 36-39 >> Interview 29 >> She was surprised that the consultant just asked about her preference rather than engage her in discussion. She had expected more of a two-way process

1st child delivered with forceps and ventouse. Had bad tear, lost lots of blood. Planned caesarean with 2nd child 16 months later on advice of doctors. Struggled to decide how to deliver 3rd child, pessimistic about her chance of having VBAC, feels planned CS is the safer option.

• Pregnancy & children >> Making decisions about birth after caesarean >> Aged 31-35 >> Interview 11 >> She asked to see a consultant early on in her pregnancy to find out whether the problems with her placenta that had led to her previous caesarean were

Rushed to have CS after baby passed meconium and stopped moving. Had quick recovery. Keen to experience vaginal birth with 2nd child, laboured for 66 hours. Some complications afterwards but glad to have experienced giving birth both ways.

• Pregnancy & children >> Making decisions about birth after caesarean >> Aged 31-35 >> Interview 19 >> Speaking to the midwife helped her to make up her mind to have a planned caesarean. The doctor said he could understand her reasons. Played by an acto

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.