If it's a question of caesar versus natural, I'd go the natural. Having had one of each, a vaginal birth is much quicker to recover from and much easier to recover from.  A c-section is not the worst thing that could happen - here it just means longer in hospital, no driving or lifting for 6 weeks (which was VERY hard for me stuck at home in the country) and yes, you have had a major operation so you need to rest more and you will be more uncomfortable.

By way of example, after my caesar I was in bed until the next afternoon and then had to walk hunched over to teh bathroom (once they took the catheter out).  i had to be washed in my bed and could not feed for a couple of hours as I was in recovery.  After my VBAC I was in the shower after an hour and B was feeding within half an hour.  The whole process was more empowering and I felt more independent a lot quicker.

As to elective over caesar, I don't know if your dr would book it in - just talk to them.  The people i have spoken to who have planned a caesar seem to have a more positive experience than those who have an emergency caesar, but I guess even if you have in the back of your mind that it could happen then that would help your mindset and recovery.

Birth and pregnancy are one of the hardest times if you are someone who likes to be in control and plan.  I did a calm birth course and he kept reiterating that the whole process is much easier if you surrender - to your body,  to the whole process and to the unknown.  That is a hard concept but for me it made a huge difference. 

Also, it is not too late - there are plenty of things that can be done to turn a baby - some people swear by massage, chiropractors and acupuncture.  There are also exercises you can do - see here!  I hope this helps some, but please feel free to mail me if you need more help!

I don't know how things work in the Uk, but here in Australia, if you want and elective c-section you have to book it very early.

The recovery time from a c-section is about 2 the length of the recovery from a natural birth.  Also, there are greater risks of respiratory problems in bubs due to not having the fluid dispelled from the lungs by being squeezed through the birth canal.

Me, I would be sticking to having a natural birth, unless bubs is not playing along properly.

I was adamant not to have a c-section with JB (who was also breech) but had to have an emergency one. I know if we are lucky enough to have another child I have no choice as they do not do VBAC here in the US due to liability!!

You just have to weigh up the pros and cons as to what aspects are most important to you, with the c-section you know it is gonna be hard for the frst 3 weeks or so, but you have been there so know what is involved.  At least you can plan things for Mac etc and if you have help around then the 3 weeks will go by so fast. With a natual birth the recovery will be so much quicker.

Good luck with your decision Jo

Lorna

It took me a long time to get over the emergancy c-section, i couldn't do anything. Luckly for me hubby had taken 3 weeks off work. But the planned c-section was great and the recovery time was less. I was in hospital for 5 days with both and when i got home with the 2nd baby my son who was 2 at the time, knew he couldn't be picked up because we had taught him while i was pregnant that he could only have cuddles when mummy was sitting down and he could climb on my knee.

Overall the planned c-section is the best way to go. If i didn't get mastitus when my daughter was a week old i would have been doing everything they say not to do because i felt fine and i sent hubby back to work earlier.

Hope this helps in your decision, and good luck.

Juzzy xoxoxo

                                                            Cham