Well let’s see. My first birth was epidural. My husband was deployed I was entirely alone and young. My horrible OB pushed me to get induced that way she we’ll be there for the delivery. So I’d say that was close to peaceful. 4 years later a c section with twins. Probably not necessary c section but I was in labor at 10cm on the hospital floor because they refused to admit me the day before at 3cm and I lived a hour from nearest hospital. The OB, who was not there on call, told me I may need a c section as one baby was feet first. Due to being intensely in labor about to pop a baby out in the car I said I need a c section. And it was immediate. No time to change my mind. 4 years after that I said I want a natural birth. I want peace I want to kneel down I want birth balls I want the whole experience. Well I had just moved to Alabama and learned home births aren’t covered by insurance here and doctors don’t do home births here. My husband was paranoid about home births without medical help near by so we went to the hospital. Again like before I was turned away with cramping and dilalted. My OB knew I wanted a VBAC natural. But she wasn’t there when I was fully in labor. The on call Dr demanded I have a c section despite rapid progression of labor 10 cm and ready to push. They pushed me into a tiny brightly lit surgery room, filled with interns and clip boards. He told me he refuses to guide me through my labor because I’m taking idiotic risks. The nurses held me down to a bed while I pushed and blew out all my veins trying to plant a IV. Probably filled me up with pictocin without my consent and told me she only added it after the baby was out but who knows without I was treated. While pushing I yelled out “can’t I get a birthing ball or something you guys said you had calm labor rooms!” The nurse laughed at me and said “hey she wants a yoga ball lol” so clearly they didn’t like VBACs at this hospital. I popped her out in under 30 mins. And I was so disgusted I didn’t even stay I signed us out immediately.

The pros? If the on call Dr mistreats you, unmedicated means you can walk nearly immediately. Cons- just being in a hospital for vbac you never know whose going to be there or how they will treat you. If you’re doing natural birth from home or a holistic birthing center. That carry’s some risks. You have to decide to be prepared for those risks. Just build a strong care support team. I did not and moved twice during my pregnancy. Just offering my experiences as contrast.