• Clip
• Pregnancy & children >> Making decisions about birth after caesarean >> Aged 36-39 >> Interview 06 >> Doctors advised her to have a planned caesarean because her baby was big. When he turned out to be normal size, she felt angry initially.

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 09 >> She feels happy about how her twins were born, but found that other women can be quite judgemental when she tells them that she had a caesarean.

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 >> Having a caesarean was the right thing to do at the time, but even so it made her feel 'a bit of a failure'. She felt she missed out on the initial bo

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 18 >> Her delivery of twins by planned caesarean was a very positive and stress-free experience. Played by an actor.

Chose to have planned caesarean with 1st pregnancy as expected twin. Felt fully involved and had 'stress-free' birth experience. Found decision difficult with 2nd pregnancy but decided on repeat CS to avoid complications with lichen sclerosus.

• Pregnancy & children >> Making decisions about birth after caesarean >> Aged 40 and over >> Interview 30 >> She has no regrets about her caesarean. She felt involved in decision-making at all stages and her main concern was for her baby's health.

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 36-39 >> Interview 15 >> She feels very practical about her caesarean. It was important to attempt vaginal delivery, but she had no doubts that surgery was the only option in

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 28 >> She went into labour before the date booked for her caesarean. By the time the theatre was available she was in advanced labour and was advised that i

Difficult pregnancy, laboured for 2 days, then found baby was double-breech and had emergency CS. Had trouble breastfeeding and felt very low for 6 months. Uncertain about how to deliver 2nd child, leaned towards planned CS but went into labour early and had VBAC as operating theatre was busy.

• Pregnancy & children >> Making decisions about birth after caesarean >> Aged 31-35 >> Interview 11 >> She feels proud to have achieved VBAC but also glad to have experienced both ways of giving birth and is grateful to have another healthy baby.

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 13 >> She was determined not to have another caesarean. The doctor said she could only push for an hour. Eventually her baby was delivered by suction cup.

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 30 and under >> Interview 23 >> Having had a vaginal birth has made her look at pain differently. But the sense of achievement was amazing and she is proud to have done it by herself

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 40 and over >> Interview 05 >> She has no regrets about going private for her caesarean. The doctor told her after the birth that she would have been unlikely to deliver her daughte

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 07 >> The medical staff talked her through the delivery moment by moment. Having a first glance at her daughter still attached by the cord was wonderful.

Went 14 days overdue with 1st child, was induced, then had CS after 2 days of labour. Advised to have planned CS with 2nd child, booked for 10 days past due date, still hoping to go into labour. Surprised by her positive experience of 2nd caesarean.

• Pregnancy & children >> Making decisions about birth after caesarean >> Aged 40 and over >> Interview 05 >> She is pleased with her decision to go private to have the birth she wanted but she is aware that other women might not have that option.

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 07 >> She would like other women to know that a planned caesarean can be a wonderful experience rather than something to be frightened of.

Went 14 days overdue with 1st child, was induced, then had CS after 2 days of labour. Advised to have planned CS with 2nd child, booked for 10 days past due date, still hoping to go into labour. Surprised by her positive experience of 2nd caesarean.