VBAC or Cesarean?

One week to go before our little girl enters this world (unless she decides to come sooner) and we can't wait to meet her! Now if we could just settle on a name.

When I should have been dreaming about what to name our daughter, I've spent time deciding whether to attempt a vbac (vaginal birth after cesarean) or to schedule a cesarean. And, holy cow, is it difficult to find neutral quality research on this topic that isn't influenced by an agenda.

In my research, I crossed paths with many women who feel strongly that they were cheated out of a life experience by their doctor and are quite angry about it, and they have a right to feel that way. I'm just not one of those angry women. I had pre-eclampsia, was induced, had a big baby with a big head, pushed for 3.5 hours, and ended up having a cesarean. Not fun. But, I have Luke and I have my health. In the process of deciding what path to take for this delivery, I've only become more grateful I was never in a place where I lost sight of what a significant gift both those things are.

Lost story short, we decided to schedule a cesarean. At first it felt like a wimpy decision especially when I hear other people's beautiful birth experiences and wish they could be mine. But, my reality is, that although 70-80% of women can have a successful vbac, my age, the reasons for my cesarean, my incision was infected, etc put me in a higher risk category of a failed vbac than the typical 70-80%. Quite frankly, I don't want to put my body or my husband through that same experience.

It was so freeing to give myself permission to skip the attempt at a vbac. Now you can just pray for my attitude towards are the women who ask (in a tone that quite clearly indicates their position) "A vbac isn't an option?" while you're praying for a safe delivery for our little one...