I noticed you're from maryland - I cannot speak for the doctors there since I am from canada, but recently it has been decided here that women should be allowed to have ellective c-sections if they so choose. I would say that with your history of a previous c-section it shouldn't be a trouble to ask your doctor about. As far as picking baby's birthday - your doctor will probably pick that for you, as far as his/her availibility. These are questions your should ask a doctor when you are choosing an ob/gyn.
Good luck
~laura

I don't know for sure, but I think if you have had a previous c-section, you do get more say in subsequent births (as far as vbac or c-section is concerned). I have read that there is an increased risk of a ruptured uterus when attempting vbac and even more if you are induced. For that reason, I think you can work with your doctor to do what you feel most comfortable with. It just makes sense that you shouldn't be forced to increase your risk. That has to be your choice. I have had friends how had 2 c-sections and some who wanted to have labor and a vaginal delivery. In both cases there were pros and cons. My friend had a long labor on her first but the labor failed to progress so they did a c-section. She wanted to try a vaginal birth the next time around and same thing. So, she would have benefited if she had opted for another c-section. On the other hand, if they baby was breech and that was the reason, then you never know, your labor could go smoothly and you could benefit because your recovery will be much, much quicker. I have had both types and after my vaginal births, I was up and feeling good and doing things in a day or two, after my c-section, I felt horrible and I was in alot of pain for weeks. The worst part of my c-section was that I ended with an abdominal hernia and had to have more abdominal surgery to have it repaired! My friend who had 2 c-sections also ended up with a hernia and more surgery when her daughter was 4 months old. So, it is a big decision. But I definately believe it is your choice. The c-section date would be decided by you and your doctor, and by they baby's size and stuff. But I bet your doctor would give you some choice in that as well. Good luck!

It would be easier to answer this question if you share why you had the c section in the first place. Depending upon the reason for the first, you may not even be given the option to have a vaginal delivery so this may all be moot.

However, most doctors assume they will perform a section delivery in subsequent pregnancies after you have already had one. It's actually approached by ob/gyn's as giving you the choice of having a natural birth if you want to try, and if it's medically possible after your section. Some women depending on the type of section and healing afterward have difficulty with natural deliveries after, so it is not a subject they push.

However, I don't want to tell you to lie to a doctor, but I would never give them the reason for desiring a section as convenience. They would have a hard time floating that one by your insurance company. Sections do cost alot more than natural deliveries. I would maybe use fear or discomfort as an excuse! I had 2 natural deliveries and the 3rd ended in a section. No one believed me when I said the pain was too much (as my epidurals don't work!) the doctor said it is supposed to hurt. I said I had two deliveries and I know what childbirth pain feels like, but this was different and I thought I would die. When I refused to push and was crying and screaming, he took me for the section. My 9lb daughter (my boys at only 7 lbs both had me pushing for 6 hours each) had decided to bring my bladder with her if I had delivered her naturally, and hard started to split my pelvic bone. My doctor promised to pay more attention to mothers in the future during delivery. I will never have a natural delivery again. If a doctor even mentioned it, I would tell them that if they would not do a section before putting me through 24 hours labor, I would find another doctor. I believe three miserable births are enought thank you! I agree...Section is the only way to go.

"ow that needle hurt...Oh a baby!!"

hee hee

Hello I had my first child c-section and they gave me a choice if
i wanted to have my second c-section or natural so of course I chose
natural and it was a big mistake for me I had to have surgery 3 months
later becuase I couldn't stop bleeding and come to find out it was
because I had a bunch of scar tissue in my uterus from the incision
on the inside of the uterus from having her natural and to this day I
still have problems and the doctor said it's probably from the vbac
delivery and now i'm trying to get pregnant again and i,m having
trouble so I know for me when it happens it will definetely be c-section