C sections

I had an elective c section and most of the mothers in my prenatal classes had a c section too. I am surprised to hear they all tried vaginal birth first and ended up with c section but I personally like to think of it as:
1. Maybe some practices of vaginal birth are not worth to take the risks anymore and if c section is more appropriate then it should be advised and its probably medical protocol. I like to follow a protocol as it’s judged by high skilled professional.
2. Many mothers ask for c section during the process bc cannot bear the pain or stress of it.
3. If it’s possible to have it done safely for both mother and child , why take the risk of not having it?
4. Epidural and C section are normal and giving birth vaginally shouldn’t be a competition of proving one can do it bc of human nature.
If one needed dental treatment, they won’t go and have it done without anaesthetic to prove that human body is resilient enough by nature to not need it.

The majority of my NCT group had vaginal births, and almost all my friends who wanted a vaginal birth had a vaginal birth. One of my friends had an emergency C-section because her water broke but she wasn’t going into labour.

Recent data that I read suggested that we have in the last year just tipped over the 50% mark with C sections. So not as high as your NCT group.
There doesn't seem to be much about the reasons, other than assumptions I.e. women having children are older or lazy.
I do worry that we are not seeing why. In my instance, I had a very bad tear with my first and elected for surgery on my second as I didn't want to end up in emergency surgery and hospital for 4 days again.
It would be interesting to see if the rise in c sections has resulted in lower death rates or injury for mother and child.
With my experience, I had a calmer experience, I probably cost the NHS less money as I was out of hospital the next day.
I agree that there seems to be a judgement on mothers that choose this like they are lazy. They have just carried a child in them for 9 months, committed to surgery for the safety of them and that child and child. Any birth that ensures the safety of mum and baby is the right birth.