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• Pregnancy & children >> Making decisions about birth after caesarean >> Aged 36-39 >> Interview 29 >> She was nervous about being awake during her planned caesarean, but it made a big difference that the anaesthetist talked to her throughout the operat

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 10 >> When it was found that her baby was in distress there was no time to discuss options. She was very scared but her midwife stayed with her and held her

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 29 >> She experienced deep pain from her scar for almost a year but was reassured by the doctor that they were normal healing pains.

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 40 and over >> Interview 30 >> She wanted to know how feasible it was for her to attempt vaginal birth and was relieved to learn that she would not be induced.

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.

• Pregnancy & children >> Making decisions about birth after caesarean >> Aged 30 and under >> Interview 23 >> In her experience, midwives will often gloss over the risks to reassure women.

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 03 >> She found it helpful that her doctor tried to find out what she wanted and offered her reassurance rather than just providing her with routine factual

Very keen to have intervention-free birth with 1st child, laboured to 9cm, then had CS when baby passed meconium. Felt cheated and upset long after. Wanted VBAC with 2nd child but opted for CS when 2 weeks overdue. Planned CS was much better than expected.

• Pregnancy & children >> Making decisions about birth after caesarean >> Aged 31-35 >> Interview 09 >> She thinks giving women balanced information about all possible risks might conflict with giving them reassurance and encouragement about their birth

Pregnant with twins, had CS when she did not dilate beyond 9cm. Felt happy with her care and recovered well but disliked need for support after the operation. Keen to have vaginal birth with 2nd child. Went two weeks overdue, then delivered very quickly after being induced.

• Pregnancy & children >> Making decisions about birth after caesarean >> Aged 31-35 >> Interview 27 >> She was scared about rupture of the scar and did not feel reassured that she would be able to stop labouring and have an emergency caesarean when she

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 31-35 >> Interview 09 >> She initially struggled to reach a decision because she thought her doctor and midwife might be withholding information about low chances of her havin

Pregnant with twins, had CS when she did not dilate beyond 9cm. Felt happy with her care and recovered well but disliked need for support after the operation. Keen to have vaginal birth with 2nd child. Went two weeks overdue, then delivered very quickly after being induced.

• 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 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 12 >> Her midwife was very supportive of her decision to attempt vaginal birth even though her consultant advised her against VBAC. Played by an actor.

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 31-35 >> Interview 13 >> Being able to talk to friends who had faced the same decision was helpful in making up her mind. She thinks women would benefit from having access to

1st child was breech, so had planned CS. Various complications made her keen to avoid repeat CS. Asserted herself against doctors' recommendations. 2nd child born after 12 hour labour with help of ventouse. Pleased with experience, recovered much better.

• Pregnancy & children >> Making decisions about birth after caesarean >> Aged 40 and over >> Interview 08 >> She thinks health professionals need to be good listeners and should be prepared to give straightforward advice based on their professional experience

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 30 and under >> Interview 23 >> She thinks it's important to be confronted with the facts, even if they can be scary.

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 09 >> She understands that health professionals have to inform women about all the risks but thinks they could do more to encourage women that VBAC is possi

Pregnant with twins, had CS when she did not dilate beyond 9cm. Felt happy with her care and recovered well but disliked need for support after the operation. Keen to have vaginal birth with 2nd child. Went two weeks overdue, then delivered very quickly after being induced.