I'm trying to decide on my birth plan, and I'm honestly torn.

Part of me wants a C-section and part of me wants to do a regular vaginal delivery with an epidural.  There are pros and cons to both of course, but I have NO clue which I should do (God willing that I get to choose when the time comes).

So can you tell me what birth plan did you pick and why? 

Experienced mommies: In hindsight, would you have changed your birth plan?

My opinion is that vaginal delivery is best. I hope I can have a natural delivery as LO is breech right now and I may not have a choice. I think a c-section is serious surgery that will take longer to recover from, require you to take some serious drugs, and leave behind scar tissue that can effect future pregnancies. Although you know the date and can be more prepared, I don't think that will ease my mind and only make me more anxious. 

So can you tell me what birth plan did you pick and why?  I picked a vag birth but ended up having a c-section.

Experienced mommies: In hindsight, would you have changed your birth plan? No I am very happy this time around is a scheduled c-section.

Now I should start by saying I have never had a natural delivery. But my sister-in-law did and things down there aren't the same for a very long time. I was fully recovered from my c-section within a week. I did have to take serious drugs but my delivery was a great experience. Once they started the c-section there was no pain or anything. I would much rather have a small scar on my stomach than tear down there. That's just me. I am sure either way would be great.

I haven't written a formal birth plan - I'm trying to keep an open mind about the birth/labor process.  If I had to choose, I would prefer an unmedicated vaginal delivery.  However I realize that there are many different things that may happen during the birthing process and I don't want to be disappointed in myself if it doesn't end up the way I imagine. 

That being said, I would really prefer not to have a c-section unless it was an absolute emergency. Also, my doctor will not allow first-time mothers to schedule a c-section - it's considered to be emergency surgery, not an elective procedure.

I didn't do a birth plan - I approached child birth completely clueless because that is what worked best for me.  If I had to sit down and research and figure out how I wanted my birth to go it would 1) stress me out and 2) stress me out even more when my birth plan didn't go as planned.  Actually if you go back and read most girls birth stories they hardly ever go as planned.  So like WearingFlats I went in with a complete open mind :)

My L&D was AMAZING!!!!  I was induced at 38 weeks due to a stubborn boy who's heart rate would keep dropping at my Non Stress Tests.  I told myself if I was going to be induced then the edpidural was coming too (I first planned to go all natural but quickly changed my mind).  I started Piticon at 11:30 a.m. got the epi at around 1:00 p.m. and had our baby boy at 9:13 p.m. that night.  I pushed for 45 to 50 minutes and out he came.  I did not feel a thing, just pressure from the contractions. 

I strongly recommend a vag birth (with an epi of course!), this is based solely on the experience.  It by far one of the coolest feelings having my baby come out, there is all this pressure and then all of a sudden it's all gone and you have a beautiful baby in your arms.  With a c-section there is no baby on your chest, no seeing the first breath etc. 

I did have a 3rd degree tear, was I sore oh heck yea but I was healed after about a week.  4 months later everything is fine ;)

I am all for a vaginal delivery for all of the reasons already mentioned above.  A c-section is considered a major surgery.  There are definitely certain circumstances that require a section, but if I was able to choose, I would hands down pick a vaginal delivery.  Similar to Veronika, the hospital that I'm giving birth in does not let you choose.  They save c-sections for emergencies and situations in which they're needed.

I didn't have a birth plan, all I said to my mid-wife was that if I could avoid an epidural & c-section I would be happy - they were my absolute 'only if my babies are in trouble' option. I was induced at 38 weeks because the little monkeys wouldn't come out!! Having the pessary was (IMO obviously!) so much more traumatic than the labour, I would never want to go through that again.

My first son was born with ventouse and my second with forceps - I had a terrible delivery according to my consultant (she had to have a de-brief counselling session because it was so traumatic???) but I didn't think it was anywhere near as bad as I had expected. They cut me during my first son's delivery but I still ended up with a 3rd degree tear with my second which was really sore, but judging by how my friend recovered after her c-section I recovered much faster.

I would not change my decision to deliver vaginally, and my consultant had been pushing for me to have a c-section because it is supposedly safer for twins....I don't agree!

I have had 2 c-sections. And am waiting for the 3rd. I didn't have a choice i the matter. I have an allergy to anesthesia that makes it safer to plan a c-section a head of time as emergency surgery can cause issues. I have never been in labor or tried natural birth so I am very one sided. I love having my c-sections. It's planed the pain is minimal. I know what to expect. yes I have a 2 inch scar but its in my bikini line so only my dh sees it. There are some annoying restrictions afterward however. No driving for 6 weeks only lifting as much as the baby ways which is an issue if you have other little kids. no sex for 6 weeks but I think there are some vaginal delivery's with that one too. While I prefer a c-section. I'm not sure I would have choose to do it having a choice.

My birth plan was going with whatever was going to get my baby delivered safely.

I had a vaginal delivery induced by Pitocin. I also had the epidural which was the best decision I made because the contractions were just too painful (for me) to bare. I was able to relax, rest up, and prepare myself for when it came time to push. I did end up getting a small episiotomy (SP?) which didn't hurt. Overall I had a great L&D! The recovery wasn't too bad either. I like to think that I was lucky because I have heard stories of how hard and painful the recovery is. I had very mild pain and discomfort, and recovered fairly quick.

My hospital won't schedule c-sections unless absolutely (medically) necessary. They strongly encourage vaginal deliveries and will do everything possible to deliver the baby that way.

I'm very happy with the way my L&D went. I would not change anything if I had to do it again. I believe that by not having a birthplan, I was able to avoid feeling disappointed if something didn't go as planned.

Thanks so much ladies!

I was definitely thinking epidural/vaginal delivery from the start, but I wanted to get the scoop on what real women who have been through it before thought.  It definitely helps. And if I do end up having to get an unplanned C-section, it will be comforting to know several of you had an easy time with it. 

Either way, as long as I end up with a healthy little one, I'll be a happy mama. :)