You know the right reasons for what you choose to do and that's all that matters :) I am excited for the upcoming months of new baby stories!!

Hey - you have to do what's right for you. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise, and no explaining necessary. Congratulations! You're going to have another beautiful little boy in just a couple of months!

HIGH FIVE!

My answer to why a scheduled-c? "Because my doctor and I agreed on it."

3w5d to go for me.

I had similar feelings about justifying my scheduled repeat C-section, but I just KNEW that I'd end up with one, anyway. And when my second child was born via scheduled C-section, it was so obvious he would have never made it out with a VBAC. Go with your gut and don't pay the naysayers no nevermind.

I had two little girls vaginally (I hate to say "naturally" because childbirth is always natural) and while it was great and all and my recovery was nothing, I don't think I would feel like I "missed" anything if I had had two C-sections instead.

But, to be honest, I'm glad and relieved I was able to do it vaginally... but not "proud". It's not like they hand out trophies and it's not like we really have any control over it, anyway (unless we're Christina Aquelera whose OB-GYN who never met a scheduled non-medically necessary C-section he didn't love).

October will be here before you know it... get ready for two. It's tough but so awesome!

You've clearly thought this out and it's between your doctor and you, anyway. Best of luck.

Even if a VBAC is an option next time around for me I'm still going with the c-section cause guess what? The whole point is a baby! And THATS THE WHOLE POINT! And why does it matter to everyone else how your baby gets here?

If people don't like it, f*ck 'em. It isn't their baby at possible risk so wtf do they know?

Not to be crude about it or anything.

Hey, I had 4 sections, 3 of them scheduled because everyone involved, including the midwife, figured I'd end up with a section when all was said and done anyway. And let me tell you, the recovery after 2-4? Piece of cake. Easy peasy. Much better than some vag births I've seen. Either way, your body, your baby, you do it your way.

Honestly, I don't get it. Um, no kidding a c-section is a surgery that carries risk. Seems like for you, a vaginal birth poses its own, whole extra sets of risks. And, duh, of course you understand the risks of c-sections. You went through it before. And losing out on some sort of life trophy for delivering via c-section rather than vaginally? I thought the "trophy" was the baby? Does how it came to be really measure your worth in any way possible?

Obviously, I'm not a mom, which is why I don't get any how there's any possible need for you to have to defend your choice.

GO C-SECTION!

Hey, you get on with your bad self and have that baby however the heck you want to.

Now let's talk about the really important things - where did you get those jeans?! They look so much less maternityish and harrible than all the ones I could find! Am guessing they were $400 dollars and they don't make them anymore?

When I went for my first appointment for my second pregnancy the midwife gave me an exam and announced that I DID have birthing hips and that I could have a nine pound baby, like YAY isn't that great and all I could think was, oh please don't let this be a nine pound baby. Luckily (for my nether regions) both my babies were little and healthy. I also thought I would have made an excellent wife in pioneer days, birthing hips were all the rage back then.

OH! And congrats on having a "firm" due date. I'm in the "-ish" realm right now myself due to possible induction: 18/11 days until my little man is due to arrive!

I had the same type of experience. First time it was a few days getting induced to an "omg get this baby out now" c-section. My second was a planned surgery so I had my doctor and it was so much better. But, I like things that are planned out. So it worked well for me.

I know you know this, but who cares how the baby gets here.. all that matters is that the baby comes out healthy! And I kind of hate you for being skinnier pregnant than I am 3 1/2 months post partum. :P

First of all. You suck! My belly isn't that small now and my baby is almost 8 months old!!

Second of all, I can totally relate to all of this justifying you have to do. I was right there with you around this same time last year. I made all the same arguments to myself and to anyone who asked, or didn't. I felt very defensive about the whole thing and very unsure about my decision, but only because I thought people would think I copped out or something. I too had complications with my first delivery and had to have an unplanned c-sections, so I had the whole VBAC blah blah blah thoughts running around in my head too (except mine included drugs... and lots of them!).

I had to go to therapy to get OK with this in my head, for cripe's sake! But I did. And I should. And there's no logical reason to have doubted myself in the first place. I was making a solid decision based on waht was best for me and my baby and I didn't have to prove myself to anyone.

And neither do you. Just wanted you to know that :-)

I guess one of the hard parts about having a blog is that it makes it a whole lot easier for people of the world to judge you. I say eff them. If you thik a c-section is better for you and YOUR baby, you go for it! You have my support, my enouragment and my shoulder/blog/computer to cry on! You are a smart, educated, researched women and are not jumping into this blind, so you know what is best!

and holy crap 10 WEEKS! Where the freak did time go, it serioulsy feels like you just said oh ya I am all kinds of pregnant and now bam 10 weeks and you will have a baby! AHHHHH so thrilled for you!

Your priorities sound pretty straight to me. Screw 'em.

I had an emergency c-section the first time too after 8 rounds of pitocin.. hmmmm anyway same thing my pelvic area to small for my sumo baby. So this time I am having a c-section again.. I feel like I don't have the right to put myself at the risk for vbac even though they say the risk is small... whatever I was also suppose to be able to have a baby from the vagina ya know!

I am 28 1/2 weeks I will have a section prob on the 10th or the 8th... not sure which day I want yet.

I am HUGE!

Good for you that you've reached a decision that you're comfortable with. That (and of course, a healthy mom & baby) is all that really matters, anyway!

Having had two c-sections, the first of which was an emergency and sucked, I can tell you without a doubt, that you have made a splendid choice. The second PLANNED c-section was sooooo easy and I loved every minute of time with my new baby. Being able to plan help and childcare for our first daughter made us all so relaxed. Recovery was much quicker the second time around. I wouldn't change a thing!

Um, seriously? You do NOT have to justify your decision to have a scheduled C-section. It is no one's business or decision but yours and Jason's. Those who have a problem with it can offer to push the baby out their hoo-ha for you.

It amazes me how everyone thinks they know your body and whats right for it better than you.

I saw someone snatch a peanut butter and jelly sandwich out of a pregnant woman's hand once because she thought it was bad for the baby (and this was long before the whole peanuts = asthma connection) Um, hello, everyone just dial it down a notch.

Look at the belly!! :) I'm still pulling for a girl. No offense to boy babies. :)

Poke the haters in the nose and then grab their crotches and say, "Let's talk about YOUR vagina now, shall we??" (Note: This will likely only work with women. But I'll give you $5 for every guy you try it with. :))

Wait. Wait. You mean they DON'T give out trophies for pushin' a baby out through the hoo-ha? Well crap. I guess I'll have to find something else to do with that empty space I've been saving on my shelf for the MIGHTY VAGINA TROPHY.

Elizabeth -- I actually JUST got those jeans, so yes, you can still get them. On sale at Pea in the Pod. Lucky Brand. These are long shorts/capri-type things, but I think they make regular jeans with the same waistband too.

I of course JUST found a gift card that a friend gave me back when I was like, six weeks and never used, so I figured why not buy some new pants, what with 10 WHOLE WEEKS left to go? (I also had to buy a bathing suit since we're going to the beach this month and I cannot find my suit from last time. GAH.)

Why are so many women so passionate about defending women's rights and "my body is MY body" when it comes to abortion but not birthing? You can't pick and choose when you get to tell us what to do.

Amy - It's your cooch, your kid. Nothin' much else to say.

You are quite the skinny pregnant lady, but healthy looking skinny.

Sounds like you've made a great decision that works for you.

Those are the cutest jeans ever! You are adorable.

Eh, C-Section, Schmee Section. Do people still really get all judgy about this?

No way I'd push a 10 pounder out voluntarily. Uh-uh!

I said no to the VBAC too. And I promise your second C is sooo much easier than the first. You really will be up in a day. sore, but out of bed at least.

The best part, you get to stay in the hospital and be waited on. No laundry, no dishes. No child climbing over your newly empty lap. Enjoy!

With all 4 of mine, I went through labor (pain) then had c-sections so I've experienced both..Everyone's right, whatever decision you make is totally ok, it's your body. That said, do the scheduled C! Soo much easier.

My first daughter was 11 pounds. She has a permanent palsy because of trauma that occurred when I pushed her out of my own nether regions.

My second was a scheduled c-section. She's perfect. If I had bowed down to the bullshit people give you about scheduled c-sections, she might not have been.

I keep that in mind whenever I happen to feel guilty about it. Damnitt.

Your priorities are 150% right.

My friend and I also have the wonky tilted pelvis thing. Her doctor didn't know about it, and she went through labor and an emergency c-section the first time around.

Then her crazy doctor told her it'd be okay to do a vbac with the second baby. And guess what? Another long labor and emergency c-section!
My dr. told me during my first pregnancy that I'd probably have to have a c-section. Faced with the possibility of having a long labor followed by surgery, I agreed to a scheduled one. After he was born, my dr. told me there was no way he would have fit through the birth canal.

Then when I was got pregnant the second time, I heard about my friend's second emergency c-section. Craziness!

As soon as my dr. mentioned surgery again, I told her to sign me up!

My boys were both born healthy, and we're happy, and that's all that matters!

I've never understood why people feel like they have a right to tell you how to give birth. The way I see it, your baby, your vagina, your decision.

My first was an unplanned c-section, second was planned.

I wanted to WANT a vbac for the second one, but every time I thought about it, all I could think was, "I'm going to risk all that and end up with a C-section anyway."

And I honestly thought I'd have a mental breakdown afterward if that happened. Like, if I had set myself to do the VBAC, gotten all jazzed and pumped and focused, and then it failed, I would honestly, mentally, not be able to deal with it.

So that was probably 50% of why I said, "I'm taking control, we're doing the VBAC."

Not the right reason, I suppose. But for me, having some control over the outcome was important. Probably because I had so little control the first time and it scared the total shit out of me.

And once I decided to do the scheduled c-section and took VBAC off the table, I was able to sleep again.

And luckily, it all turned out well.

Good luck to you.

I know exactly what you're going through. My first pregnancy I had twins, complicated pregancy,ended with a c-section. Everything went beautifully and now they are the 2 craziest, smartest, fun 6 year olds ever. When I had my newest, the doctor told me since the last pregnancy was so complicated I had to have a c section (risks of uterine rupture was elevated-- the whole bit) I schedualed my c section like it was a hair appointment. The doc goes how 'bout thursday the 27th?? I'm Like, "Neh, how's Friday looking?" Done. My husband was there and by no means did it take away from anything. But I also had to defend myself constantly and pepper in horror stories of my first pregnancy to justify it.

All that matters is that beautiful baby.

I'm not a mom, but it seems horrible that there's kind of a birthing olympics out there... It's about the BABY...not how he/she gets here. Sorry to be so preachy.

I get the same way about the fact that I couldn't nurse. All defensive and stuff. Even though I tried and there were perfectly good reasons and such. I think it's just the nature of motherhood.

The point is the baby not the birth! I had my first vaginally and it was 3 weeks before I could walk. Ouch! My second was born after an emergency C-section (failure to progress, fetal distress, meconium) and I was walking the next day with NO drugs. Given the choice, go with what's right for you and your baby...

I just hate that we have to make disclaimers for why we pick a repeat c-section over a VBAC. I did the same as you, for nearly the same reasons. I didn't want to end up back in Emergency Land. It's very scary there! And yes, the scheduled c-section was a far, far better experience for EVERYONE involved.

You're among friends, here!

Hi!! I stumbled upon your blog one day at work from the Danny's blog (DGM) and I must say that I love it! I loved it so much that I read all of your archives (I'm a receptionist and have a LOT of free time at work)--and now I feel like I know you in that weird internet way.

Anyway, the point of this long, conveluted comment is that I love your writing and think you should do whatever you want with your body and to hell with anyone else's opinion. The C-section is right for you. Enough said!

P.S. Noah is adorable! You are so Lucky!
P.P.S. Thanks for the distration from data entry! :)

I don't know why people feel the need to tell you how to deliver your baby. I had to have a c-section with Avery because she was over a week late and way over 10 pounds (almost 11 pounds). My doctor didn't really give me a choice with Jack. She told me my due date and then told me my c-section date. when I asked if I could attempt a VBAC she said sure, but here are all the things we aren't going to do...(pictocin, inducement, etc.) and she asked me to sign all these papers about not getting a lawyer if I bled to death. After that I just decided to be happy with a repeat c. I wasn't bothered by it at all.

Dude, I think it is awesome that you've made a decision and are sticking with it.

When I was pregnant with Tori, I handed Dr. Mama our birth plan. It was a white sheet of paper and it said, "GET BABY OUT ALIVE." So I totally hear you.

BTW--totally random--how did you stick that little comment policy blurb on this here typepad blog? Cause I could totally use that. :)

Ok....the cute belly pictures have to stop. I can't stand my side views. There is not a pair of pants made that are comfortable for my belly. Either the belly pushes them down...or the belly pulls them too far up into frontal wedgie territory. YIKES!

Do what you are comfortable with! I am having my 3rd c section and at least it is known territory.
I am fine with it.
The reason for doctors and all the schooling and stuff that they do....and the fact that we live in the 21st cenury.
We can have
Healthy Mom AND Healthy Baby!
That is the goal!

Whooooo!!!

Oh, I was just thisclose to telling my own birthin stories, what with all the initial c-sections and planned sections and unscheduled VBAC's, and saying, "Honey, relax! You don't have to defend all this to yourself, much less to us!" but then I stopped myself because - 1. nobody around here wants to hear my birthin stories and 2. of course you don't HAVE to defend any and all choices, but that's what we do, so it is what it is. Sucks to see you fret about it so, though. It will all be beautiful in the end, and you will have no regrets.

Also, I hope you done good and absorbed all that love and goodwill in my first paragraph, because now I am about to hate on you for how damn great you look. Betch.

It's your body, your baby, your choice.

It doesn't matter how I or anybody else feels about c-sections. Besides, you've done your research - you know the facts, and you're making the best possible informed decision considering all the circumstances. Good for you, I say.

Amy, don't apologize for scheduling a C section. To look at my hips, I look like I could deliver a mack truck. It's the inside that matters.

I posted my own second pregnancy fun this week, since he just turned nine. Amazing what happens to get them here!

I did the Full Monty of vaginal birth 15 years ago. It ain't all that.

My SIL had one of each & her recovery time for the c section was much easier than the vaginal birth which was HELL on her, much like it sounds like it would be for you. (Oh god, everyone's got a story to share about child birth, don't they?)

I had two pretty easy natural VBACs and then for my third an emergency c-section.

I have to say that the c-section was no less special than the others, and the recovery was not much worse than my second VBAC. The only hard part was having to be hooked up after birth. It was wonderful on my second to not have that.

Good for you for being so honest with yourself about what you want. If I were you, I would probably make the same choice. I think every body is different, every baby is different, and there is no one best way to have a baby.

Congratulations on the upcoming delivery and the clarity to bring the baby here safely!

When I was pregnant everyone kept asking us about 'birth plans' and I was all 'when I feel something, I'll do something" because how was I to know how this whole thing would shake out. In the end, there was pitocin and there were drugs and very little pushing once the nether regions finally gave way, but, as you and all the other sane women know, none of that mattered the minute my kid was in my arms. He was safe. He was breathing. And so were we.

Oh, girlie, I'm so sorry you have to deal with this. There's so much hub-bub surrouding this topic, that after my own emergency c-section I was so freaked out the first question at my 6 week post partum checkup was "Can I do VBAC next time?" Now I'm totally thinking I'll go scheduled c-section (not pregnant, just a crazy worrier/planner.) All I'll say is it's a decision for you and your doctor. Full stop. And you look fabulous!