My first child was born via an emergency c section following a 40 hour labour. The process was long, then fairly traumatic when it came to the eventual decision surrounding the caesarian. However, my daughter was delivered safely and I am sure that the right decision was taken at the time.

I requested a caesarian for the birth of my second child, largely because of the experiences of my first labour. The request was eventually granted, much to my relief.

I do remember feeling 'guilty' and slightly uncomfortable that I hadn't had natural deliveries, that I was somehow less able to cope or 'too posh to push', but a friend reminded me that I had got pregnant to have a baby - not a birth.

There is so much concentration on the birth, and not nearly enough discussion, information etc. about the period after that (Ie child rearing).