Ah sis, totally get the budget stress, 130k is a lot! So from what a few of us have talked about, VBAC after failed labor progression actually has decent success rates; most mums I know who tried it made it through fine, around 75-80% success ang general experience. Your case isn't impossible at all, yung failure to progress last time doesn't mean it'll happen again, at 3.5kg baby is still within normal range para sa VBAC. One of my mum friends had a CS for the same reason (got stuck at 7cm din), pero her VBAC with her second was super smooth and maglabor siya ng natural, so talagang case-to-case talaga. The public hospital route might be tricky since you haven't done prenatal there, but it's worth calling and asking directly if they'll accept you this late; some do, especially kapag close na sa due date. Just be honest about your CS history and what happened, they need that info anyway to support a trial of labor safely. Either way, definitely have a serious chat with your OB or a maternal-fetal specialist about your specific situation before you decide, kasi they'll know your body at history best and can guide you on the real risks para sa iyo talaga. Good luck, mama!