I was so pleased to read this article and particularly the opinion on pain relief in labour. I am a mum of two and was disappointed by the negativity I received from people, especially other women, when I advised them that I had planned epidurals with both my births. This was my decision as I quite simply didn't want to suffer the pain of childbirth. Why would you put yourself through such agony if you don't have to ? It is as if we as women judge each other on how much pain we go through in labour-so much for sisterhood ! When first time pregnant friends of mine ask me what labour is like I reply honestly and tell them that mine were great, pain free and calm. I do not try to sway them either way but just advise them to keep an open mind and not to rule anything out. There is so much pressure to give birth without pain relief-why ?? What can be achieved by enduring such suffering-it really does seem very cruel.

Sue Carpenter, Brixham, UK

The National Childbirth Trust, originally called The Natural Childbirth Trust, was founded in 1956 as the result of an advertisement placed in The Times by Prunella Briance. Briance was inspired by the writings of British obstetrician Grantly Dick-Read, who is regarded by many as the father of natural childbirth, and became the first president of the NC.

Chaton, Paris, France

I strongly recommend two books for anyone who is pregnant. First is Henci Goer's "The Thinking Woman's Guide to a Better Birth." It examines all the medical studies on interventions and outcomes -- it's true "informed consent" in one, highly readable and unbiased source. The other is "Spiritual Midwifery," by Ina May Gaskin. Gaskin trained herself to be a midwife for the commune she and her husband founded in 1970. The first half of the book is birth stories and provides a window into a positive birth culture, so different to our own right now and thus a good counter-weight to the prevailing negativity. The most amazing thing, though, is Appendix A to the book, which details all the outcomes for 2,028 births over 30 years: 95% homebirths, no maternal deaths, and fewer infant deaths than we have in the UK or US right now! I believe it shows what is possible with good midwifery/OB care, good public health, and a positive birth culture!

Allison Evans, London, UK

In my personal life, I have had both an emergency Cesarean and a home birth. I was cared for by a midwife before my Cesarean until an obstetrician was needed. He then refused to examine me until I consented to an epidural 'because it would be too painful' for me otherwise. Several midwives had had their hands inside of me trying to help the baby turn and I'd been experiencing contractions for about 12 hours so I didn't believe him. But I wasn't strong enough to be in labour and debate the point. So much for dignity and informed decisions.

The best day of my life included giving birth at home surrounded by family and friends and 2 respectful midwives.

There are many paths to birth and we would do well to respect women and birth itself, even when we must intervene. As for misogyny, anyone who cannot respect the the process of birth but sees it as a flaw in the design of the female body perpetuates misogyny.

M, Belfast, Northern Ireland

I hope that I am not the only person reading this article who has noticed that the author says the NCT was founded by a man. It wasn't. Also, if you believe the NCT is a natural birth organization, you need to look at the website or visit a coffee morning. www.nct.org.uk. THE MISSION OF THE NCT IS TO SUPPORT PARENTS TO HAVE A POSITIVE EXPERIENCE, AS THEY DEFINE IT, OF PREGNANCY, BIRTH AND EARLY PARENTHOOD. Clearly, the author's antenatal course did not accomplish the stated mission. However, that does not mean that every course or every teacher fails the mission.

The NCT is a completely mainstream charity. In fact, the member experiences of the NCT are probably completely representative of the birth experiences of the wider UK population: a few mothers have natural births, many mothers have normal births with some intervention, and a good portion of mothers have Caesarean births.

Megan, Belfast,

4 babies born in 6 years, all over 9lbs, no drugs, no stitches,home births, all safe, healthy and happy and breast fed. No post natal depression or illness, now 4 gloriously healthy, adorable kids with great appetites and a lust for life.
Just for those young women out there who might read all the other comments and think they can't do it without drugs or c-sections...
Life is wonderful, celebrate the power of creation as you take part in it.

molly, London, UK

Yes, it is true that I would probably not have a root canal or get a wound stitched without anesthetics, but when it came to giving birth, the difference was that there was a small and helpless person involved besides myself, and there was no way I wanted my little ones exposed to drugs whose long-term effects are unknown -- and any drug that can numb a woman from the waist down is very powerful. I had midwives for all of three of my pregnancies/births and I had very positive experiences all three times -- I gave birth with no drugs, no episiotomies, and no tears/stitches, and two of my babies were nearly 9 pounds each. It can definitely be done, safely and happily...midwives are experts in helping women to have safe, drug-free births, and treat childbirth as a normal life event - I recommend them highly!! It's the doctors, anesthesiologists and hospitals who have made childbirth into a money-making industry, not the natural-childbirth proponents.

Amy, Bakersfield, California

The birth of my child: London hospital, husband by my side, professional midwives and a sympathetic anaesthesist who injected the pain relief when I asked for it. I had a walking epidural, I could (within limits) administer my own doses and I loved every minute of the few hours I was under it. I have to add that in the months prior to that I had been terrified of what I thought was going to be a torture-like experience but when the moment arrived, because the physical pain was removed I could and did enjoy what was going on around me. I would never suggest that epidurals are routinely administered but the poor drug has such bad press (especially amongst women, we really are our worst enemies) that I just wanted to share my experience: it is possible to have a pain-free birth and a perfect baby at the end of it. Good luck to all pregnant women, specially first timers, it is not easy to know what's best.

Nina, London,

I was unconscious for ten hours due to sensitivity to Pitocin. I had had only demerol prior to the induction. I am so glad I was "out". It was unnatural but it was probably a blessing. When I came to and had to push with the staff screaming at me to wake up, it was so painful I decided never to have another baby. And I had wanted several. My baby was fine, 9 pounds 6 l/2 ounces and the nurses said they wished they were all like him. I had the biggest episiotomy they had seen (cut in cervix to get him out). And developed an infection from that. Birth is NOT fun. Nor the constipation afterwards.
Those who say it's "natural" just are lucky. My step-daughter was delivering at home and getting nowhere, had an emergency run to the hospital, where her child was delivered in 20 minutes. There is no free lunch...except the one they bring you in the hospital, thank God one can at least eat after the ordeal.

Mariel Strauss, Los Alamos NM, NM

I would have loved to have given birth naturally but after a three day labour , an obstructed and extremely heavy baby and an emergency c-section, it wasn't to be. I know that I would be dead, as would my baby, if I lived in some other parts of the world. Not all of us have a choice when it comes to having a natural childbirth. BTW, my daughter is healthy and had no difficulty breastfeeding, despite the diamorphine and two epidurals. Having a caesarean was painful but so too is the incontinence and other problems suffered by women I know who did give birth naturally. Since I have been warned that if I have another baby s/he could be 12lb +, I very much doubt that I will go through childbirth again without an epidural.

Margaret, London, UK

If someone doesn't want a painkiller, fine, but they don't get a medal for being a better mother.

Don't expect any reaction from me except, WHY???? WOULD YOU DO THAT!!!???

I had c-section, didn't breastfeed for more than a few weeks and my daughter is (knocking on wood) just fine. Thin, smart, never had an ear infection and is rarely sick. And I didn't have any cutting or tearing. Scar is almost impossible to see.

lilybart, NYV,

I am a Paediatrician working in the NHS for the last 15 years. I do agree that home births/water births etc have really positive benefits for the mother.BUT what about the baby. There has to be someone to fight for the right of the babies as well.

Any doctor who has worked in Paediatrics in the NHS for the last couple of years would have had to pick up the pieces several times.Things like water births/home births are rushed in without any proper evidence for their safety. Remember that Paediatricians in the USA have come forward and condemned water births due to concerns over increasing morbidity and water aspiration.What i detest most are the water births which are pushed forward by militant midwives. I have lost track of the number of weeping mothers whose babies ended up needing intensive treatment after water births.
FACT is that we are not dolphins or whales. Although we were aquatic creatures eons ago we have been land mammals for a very long time.

Kaz Trebovitz, London, United Kingdon

As a mother of four, I can tell you that each labour was completely and totally different, both in levels of intervention and pain relief needed - ranging from an induction followed by very swift delivery with no pain relief to unasisted home birth which developed complications resulting in emergency dash to hospital.

I believe I've had every form of pain relief, other than water birth, and found the most intrusive was the epidural because of the constant monitoring that accompanies it.

All I can say is never be scared to ask for pain relief - only you know how much it hurts. Listen to and be guided by your midwife. And most of all keep an open mind - you never know what may happen and all anyone wants is a healthy and happy mum and baby.

Caroline, Polegate, England

Anne of Cambridge, I'm with you. I had a 3 day labour in late 2002 and had an epidural about 10 hours before I gave birth (and had a forceps delivery). Those women who have short labours are lucky, not superior in how they approach labour. If you had a 6 hour labour - be grateful! We're not all made the same.

And what's with the drugged babies issue? I was told that epidurals were better than pethidine because the drug did not cross the placenta. I certainly did not want either, but fate decreed otherwise.

Everyone does what is right with them. I wanted a natural birth and used gas and air and TENS for a long time. But ultimately it was all too much (too long mainly). Having an injection in your back is madness (I was lucky I didn't have any side effects and it went in right first time). But 3 days of full-on pain is also madness. Why suffer if the pain relief is there? And equally - why have pain relief if you don't need it? Let women decide for themselves.

Helen, Fleet, UK

Dr. Harding, I'm sure it's sad to see birth injuries. I wonder, do you ever deal with babies who have to be hospitalized for fluid in their lungs after a c-section? How about babies who have digestive problems after being put on antibiotics because their mothers got epidurals and developed a fever during labor? Babies who were injured by scalpels? No delivery method is without its risks -and just because some injuries are inflicted by doctors (unintentionally, to be sure) doesn't make them any less troubling.

I for one am quite tired of men trying to be the saviors of women, whether it be by universal epidurals or (near) universal c-section. I can decide how much pain and risk I want to take for me and my child, thank you very much.

Van, AA, USA

I know I can't properly understand this (not being a woman, and all), but aren't all women different, with different needs, different minds, different wishes, different bodies, and so on? And aren't all births different, even two births from the same woman? And isn't it arrogant (and not very bright) to apply one experience to the whole world? And shouldn't the issue be one of ensuring that women can choose what they want, free of ANY pressure one way or the other?

Maybe I'm being too simplistic. Maybe it is important that all women do the same thing, whatever that might be. As I said, I can't possibly understand.

Steve, Altrincham,

"(yes, there is a marked difference in the baby born naturally and the ones born with epidural), to name a few. Getting an epidural hurts and recovering from a C-section hurts for weeks or months. A woman cannot totally escape pain. Breastfeeding a drugged baby can be both physically and emotionally painful " Terri Lear, Alexandria, VA

What an absolute load of nonsense. Clearly Ms Lear you have no medical training whatsoever. So, my child born with an epidural (after a 24 hour labour, gas and air and USELESS midwives in an atrocious NHS hospital later) is 'markedly different' from one born without an epidural? Hmm, I suppose you are right, since he was born at 10lbs, Extremely Healthy, started walking at 9 mths and speaking soon after and is Always happy.....yes, I suppose there is a 'Marked Difference'. I take it you have a whiny, small birth-weight child?

Please don't post such utter crap. I have another baby on the way and would, if needs be, not hesitate to use an epidural.

Dr. Mia Ewing, London, Uk

As someone who wanted a "natural" birth but had a difficult one, i fear that i now have very little patience with those that sneer at the use of pain relief. I left the hospital feeling very stupid for spending 15 hours in extreme pain during which i lost consciousness until my husband insisted on epidural. Pain relief is there for a reason! My observation is that many midwives preach what they do not believe. In any event, my assessment of the arguments reveal that whereas the arguments for pain relief is based on logos, that for so-called natural birth relies on an unpersuasive pathos. I will take an argument based on logos anyday.

Annie, Cambridge , UK

Having a baby is not painful! At least, it doesn't have to be. I have two children and am due to give birth to my third baby in the next couple of weeks, and I am looking forward to having this baby at home, without interventions or feeling as if "pain relief options" are being forced on me. I practically had to fight off nurses and doctors offering epidurals with each of my children. If you approach the experience as something that is overpowering but wonderful, you realize that childbirth isn't really painful, it's just an overwhelming experience. You have to let go and let your body do what you need to, not allow people to speed up your labor, or stick their fingers places you wouldn't let someone go to on the fifth date, or poke or prod or bother you. Who needs an epidural?

Stephanie, Manhattan, Kansas

my wife gave birth to our son at fome with no pain relief whatsoever and that was the first time. she used hypnobirthing successfuly and the experience as a father took my breath away. these consultants are just defending a misguided intervetionist approach that should be irrelevant when there no complication in the pregnany

basil, cambridge, uk

David Harding of Bristol substantiate your claims re birth centres, they are totally inaccurate. Let's look at Johannsen and Daviss' paper in the journal Birth and the outcomes of all planned homebirths in the US in one year. Stunning outcomes (and not all pregnancies were low risk).

I am an advocate of choice. The pendulum has swung very much with heavy medical intervention. As an Australian our system is totally medically dominated there is virtually no access to public funded homebirth.
Considerable morbidity is being caused on a daily basis. A woman died after an epidural abcess went unchecked, another became paralysed and requires a life long catheter.
I find it astounding that women abstain from virtually anything during pregnancy and then feel it is OK to gorge on a smorgasboard of drugs. Why? Because they have been lied to about their safety. It all crosses the placenta and impacts on your baby at a most vulnerable time. Why not use all other methods first?

Charlotte, NSW, Australia

Anyone who reads the book by the obstetrical anesthesiologist must please consider the source. If women choose natural childbirth, this man is out of a job! There are huge risks to having an epidural, including paralysis, hyperstimulation of the uterus as a result of the Pitocin needed to jump start labor after the epidural has slowed it down, fever, infection, greater necessity for C-section, drugged babies (yes, there is a marked difference in the baby born naturally and the ones born with epidural), to name a few. Getting an epidural hurts and recovering from a C-section hurts for weeks or months. A woman cannot totally escape pain. Breastfeeding a drugged baby can be both physically and emotionally painful. Having heart surgery or a tooth extracted is not a natural occurrence. Giving birth is a natural bodily function. The problem is not the pain. The problem is that women are not properly supported throughout the labor process and approach birth with fear that exacerbates pain.

Terri Lear, Alexandria, VA

I gave birth with my husband there and only used gas and air. There is no way I would have wanted to exclude my husband as he was super. In the end women should choose what they want for pain relief AFTER they have been given ALL the information, which should be available before labour starts. Nothing as invasive as an epidural should be enforced as there is no way that I would have wanted one and things can go wrong with them. There is no 'one size its all' answer to child birth and again informed choice should be the status quo. My daughter was born fit, well and beauitfully in shape and the pain, although considerable, was in no way unbearable and the control I had due to only using gas and air was just what I wanted.
.

Rachel, lowestoft,

Beware of any person who insists that all people must do the same thing. This is another example of medical totalitarianism. Women in this country, fortunately, may choose how to labour, and long may this remain so.
The problem with women in pain, is not with those women, like me, who relish the pain of labour. The problem lies with those who can not bear to see it. To see someone you love, or a patient, in pain, requires you to go beyond yourself in terms of compassion, wisdom and understanding. It's so much easier for the onlooker not to have to deal with his/her own feelings, which could include guilt and hatred. Much easier to give the woman something to make her shut up!
Remember, epidurals, like all medicines, do have possible side effects, which could include death.
When my baby entered the birth canal during labour, the feeling was exquisite and I remember it well. I feel privileged to have felt this, as many women these days do not get the opportunity.

Julia Lockwood, Marlow, Bucks

In my experience as a consultant in new born intensive care (someone who has to pick up the pieces after "natural" or home births) the feminist agenda to have a natural birth sadly results in a few babies dying or being severely brain damaged in every region of the UK every year.
the lowest rate of birth asphyxia in the world is in Sweden - where almost every woman delivers in hospital.
even the safest of all midwife led delivery-in birthing centres next to a hospital that can provide immediate resuscitation of a baby -results in a doubling of death rates for babies in an uncomplicated pregancy.
since the object of pregnancy is presumably to have a healthy child the failure to take up the advances of modern medicine staggers me.
excercising choice and empowering mothers to should not be allowed to at the expense of newborn death or permanent disability of a child.

david harding, Bristol ,

Have the journalistic standards been lowered for 'Life&Style' articles? The negative side effects of epidurals are well-known and well-documented, though I doubt that these are all presented to laboring women asking for an epidural. In some cases, the positive effects of epidurals will outweigh the negative ones, but this seems to be too complicated an equation to make a blanket recommendation for epidurals for everyone all of the time a serious consideration. Not long ago, another author suggested in The New Yorker that everyone be given c-sections -equally laughable and irresponsible.

The responsible and humane thing to do, at least in the US context, would be for hospitals to offer actual alternatives for pain control -how about a free doula for every patient? Tubs in every room, massage therapists, TENS available at request? Professional and ongoing support is needed rather than relying on a confused and scared husband or the anesthesiologist as the only options!

VW, Michigan, US

Thank God - I have never understood why the childbirth industry is so inherently misogynistic. I cannot perceive of a situation when a man was in extreme pain, and an effective pain relief was available, that he would be put under pressure not to take it!

Epidurals may not be 'natural' but neither are antiobiotics, nor open heart surgery but I hear few people advocating that we stop either of those because primitive people would not have access to them!

There is no logic to the natural childbirth arguments - at their heart is a sadistic, sexist cruelty. When I have my first child I will of course take pain killers for the pain!

V, London, UK

It's all down to personal choice. Everyone is different and everyone has a different pain threshold. Why the heck should some women not get pain relief if they want it just because others think she is being a woose. Would you go back to the days of getting a tooth extracted without anaesthetic or not take an aspirin for a headache? It's called medical progress!

There are precious few women who die during childbirth now because of medical progress, compared to years ago but some do-gooders would have us stuck in a room full of cushions and left to get on with it.

Each to their own!

Susan, Glasgow,

Here, here, I agree with Clara, as a Midwife myself I have looked after women in both home and labour ward settings. The issue of pain is not new and during the antenatal period the midwife and woman would discuss the issues of pain relief and the different coping techniques the women and their partners can perform. The idea is for women to be fully informed of their options and it is up to them to make up their minds. Midwives are there to support them all the way with or without epidural!

Chin Swain, Ashwell, UK

The only ones qualified to say which is better are women who've tried both. My mother had 5, my aunt 4, my doctor 3, and all say the only possible reason to forego pain relief is that you are barking mad or a masochist, and that if "natural" was compulsory in an age of reliable contraception, the human race would die out. They also agree that it's good for resumption of a normal sex life that the husband should not see everything; if in the room he should be mute unless invited to speak, and assigned to stand behind the wife's head (he should have an idea how hard it is though as it can dramatically increase his respect for his wife). When humans evolved big brains and upright posture we sacrificed easy childbirth; in countries where there is no assistance ONE in SEVEN women will die (ie Mozambique). Consequently when the time comes, I will be checking in somewhere with lots of assistance. Suffering is not ennobling when it's completely superfluous.

Lizzie, London,

Labour is, for the vast majority of women, painful. For many its terrifying. But it has the potenital to be the most triumphant experience of a woman's life. As a midwife who has cared for women with epidurals in high tech hosptials and caught babies at home in the bath, I say its all about what's right for you. No-one else can know how it feels to be in your skin and for me its all about giving women real choices. If you want an epidural have one, don't feel guilty; you're the only one who has to live with the consecquences of your choices. If you want a drug free birth, have one; if you have good support the chances are you'll do it. Labour is not a competitive sport. As long as you make informed decisions about the pros and cons and are happy with your decisions, who cares?

Clara , London, UK

I have given birth three times, all without an epidural. At times the pain was so intense that I felt I would pass out. However I'm glad I did it the way I did as I had a huge sense of achievement after the births. Three factors contributed to my 'no epidural' decision: 1) I didn't like the idea of a needle in my back 2) the anaesthetist who lectured at my NHS antenatal classes scared the living daylights out of me and 3) I was looked after by fabulous midwives. I got involved with NCT after I'd had my first baby and I'm now one of those scary antenatal teachers. I LOVE my job. Pain is a multi-factorial entity and no two women experience contractions in the same way. It's not for me to tell women what pain relief they should or shouldn't have as I don't have to live their lives or birth their babies. Women need good support during pregnancy, labour and birth. They need people who listen to them and take their concerns seriously. An epidural takes the pain away - but that's all it does.

Rachel, Dewsbury,

David Vernon you say:

>>In Australia having an epidural means that the likelihood of having an otherwise natural birth drops from 40% to 7%. <<

So does that mean that in Australia (and presumably the rest of the world) women only have a natural birth 40 percent of the time - WITHOUT an epidural? If that is the case then I'd take the epidural anyway rather than risk the 60 percent chance of having an unnatural birth.

Lynley, London, UK

Hi all. I have really appreciated all your posts and your sharing of experiences.
My daughter was born at home. When I became pregnant I quickly knew that a homebirth was probably the best option for me, however I went along to the hospital clinic to do my research of all options and very quickly realised that I felt extremely uncomfortable in that setting. On the contrary, when I had my first home visit with the midwife I found I was very comfortable and felt empowered.
I think the feeling of empowerment is what it comes down to. If a woman is afraid or disempowered then her experience of birth is likely to be somewhat hellish. Any birth practices by professionals need to be in line with making a woman's level of fear minimal. When fear is present the normal physiological processes can't take place. Most women, if allowed, can find a place where they can work out what is right for them. A doula may be helpful, no matter what the setting is as they can advocate for a mother's wishes

Ali Murdoch, Tathra, NSW, Australia

I welcomed an epidural 40hours into a 53hour labour and I was so ready for it. I ended up with a c-section and then experienced 'the epidural headache' for 1 week after the birth and spending 11 days in hospital, I will never have an epidural again!!

Cat, Belfast, N.Ireland

I couldn't agree more with Connor.

Every woman is different and should have sufficient information to make an informed choice about how and where she gives birth and what pain relief, if any, she has. I am always horrified to hear of women being made to feel guilty or a failure because they have not had a "natural" birth. What is natural about suffering for 30 hours? Yes, women have been giving birth since time began but many of them also used to die. Let's not forget that thanks to the advances in medicine, the rate of mortality during child birth has significantly decreased.

My sister is a paediatrician and I know from the stories she tells of how quickly things can take a turn for the worse during child birth. Having spoken to her, when my turn comes I will be in a hospital with doctors to hand and pain relief.

Shona, Glasgow,

Many women do not have a "CHOICE" of having a natural birth.

I was in labor for twenty eigth hours before an emergency C-section was required to save my baby's life. If not for an epidural that emergency c-section would not have been possible.

My seventy year old mother still claims I never gave birth due to the fact that according to her "I never felt any pain"...
Does feeling pain during child birth make you more woman?

All I care is that my baby is just fine.

Nikki, Cary , NC

My mother had an epidural which went worng as was injected incorrectly. she had a heart attack and an epileptic fit but managed to be resuscitated after 3 1/2 minutes. This was 30 years ago. I am due in 3 weeks and 3 months ago the same thing happened to a friend. I find it very disconcerting how easily available and encouraged epidurals are. They are very dangerous - they can cause heart attacks, permamanent crippling and disability and death if injected just a few milimetres out of place. Why oh why does this article not give ther real facts.

jane, london,

Depressingly, Dr Grant appears not to have heard about the "cascade of intervention" where the supposed safe epidural leads to a rapidly increasing range of medical interventions including continual blood pressure monitoring, insertion of an intravenous drip, continuous foetal monitoring, a catheter... What was a low risk situation suddenly becomes high risk. In Australia having an epidural means that the likelihood of having an otherwise natural birth drops from 40% to 7%. Further women who have an epidural are three times more likely to end up with a caesarean section. Is it any wonder c-sections are sky-rocketing?

David Vernon
Editor "Men at Birth" & "Having a Great Birth in Australia"

David Vernon, Canberra, Australia

The most ridiculous thing I have ever heard came from a midwife who said that SHE needed the woman to experience the pain because so SHE can see how the woman is doing. So instead of helping the women she needed their suffering because otherwise she would have had to maybe go through more effort herself.

Giving birth obviously is all about giving the midwife an easy job. Unbelievable.

Sigrid, Hamburg,

There is only one question here that is being asked.

Is it ethical in the 21st century to actively encourage women, through antenatal classess, peer pressure in childbirth to have "natural births" and forego pain relief?

The case being made by this article suggests that women are not being given enough information to make an informed decision. There are many studies which define when it is in the baby's best interests to have a medical intervention to assist delivery, and also studies clearly showing when an intervention is too early or too late.... but this is a completely separate issue.

As a doctor myself, I find it interesting that vritually my female obstetric anaesthetist friends (>15 of them) have or will forcefully request an epidural for pain relief for their own deliveries. Personally I believe it is absolutely the women's choice, buit this must be fully informed and not be a result of undue biased peer pressure.

Those in the know appear to know............

Connor, London, UK

Thank God for Grant! I had, in M Odent's view a pretty perfect setting for labour. My husband was sent home while I was left alone, all night , on a near deserted ward with no pain relief at all (the labour ward was 'too busy' to admit me). Oh yes, I walked about constantly, had a bath, got on all fours, did deep breathing and I was in total, overwhelming agony. I can only compare it to being tortured. My daughter was born three years ago and I am still scarred by the experience. I had panic attacks afterwards due to the pain and suffering, and still have intense claustrophobia and an inability to even visit a dentist. I was repeatedly refused any pain relief by sneering midwives.

Cece, London, UK

The biblical edict to women to “bring forth children in sorrow” is inaccurate. The Hebrew word that is translated into most bibles as "sorrow" actually means "hard work."

Also... the natural childbirth industry is lucrative? Please. It cost me nothing to bring forth my last 2 children into this world. Just some electricity and water to sterilize an old shoelace and some scissors I had lying around the house. And of course old towels and blankets. I dare say that these obstetrical types have much more money to gain by women getting epidurals than people like me not needing their services.

By all means if you need or want an obstetrician's services, get it. I however fail to see how doctors are unbiased when they say women need epidurals, early and often.

Anaesthetics have been proven time and time again to be detrimental to mother and baby. Don't skew the results to further your own selfish causes, obstetricians.

My births were empowering. That threatens doctors.

Barbara, Cary, NC, US

Sheila Kitzinger is right when she writes “Birth can be ecstatic and empowering." I know it can be miserable when it impossibily prolonged. However, the possibility of misery shouldn't be a deterrent for women to make an attempt at an uplifting natural childbirth which can be an exhilarating life changing experience.

Every women's experience is different. Every birth is different. I had 4 children, all grown to adulthood now. 3 were born in impersonal US hospitals, the first with an epidural. One child, my second, was born at home in England with a midwife when I was 21 years old with no drugs for the simple reason that none were available. Knowing there were no drugs available, I prepared myself with training and a strong resolve. The baby was born at 8 in the morning. That evening I was ready to resume my routine and made a lovely dinner for our newly expanded family. It remains the finest day of my life nearly 40 years later..

Kathy, Cambridge, MA,

I would LOVE to see the studies referenced in this quote from the article: "Furthermore, studies show that babies born to women who have had epidurals come out in better shape than those from ‘natural' childbirth." It would be interesting to know what criteria they used in evaluating these babies! Thanks for the laughs!

Dawn, San Antonio, TX

As the result of conversations with natural childbirth activists aka, midwifes, yoga instructors and mother earth type mothers, I thought it was wise not to have any kind of painkiller. I was lucky to be in pain for only 30 hours while the delivery itself took just two hours. By the time my child was born I can literally say that I went to hell and back.

Jess, Oxford, Oxon

I know everyone is different, all I can relate to are my own experiences but I think a lot of it has to do with your state of mind as Kathy said. I had two fast, easy births (less than 8 hours from go to woa), with my husband present , in a hospital, no pain relief, two happy healthy boys. (I can already hear the comments from all the 24 hour+ women who love to regale all and sundry their horrific birth experiences).

LM, New Zealand,

Ans so in divorce proceedings women seek compenmsation for the pain of childbirth. Should use of an epidural reduce the amount of financial compensation available to the divorcee?

gmac, Kassel, Germany

After a 24 hour labour and emergency C-section I felt I struggled more with the 'real' issue of how to manage a baby after birth much more than my peers whose birth experiences were more 'straight forward'. I was in shock after coming from a mother who delivered 3 babies very easily therefore thinking that I was at minimal risk of having an obstructed birth. Due to my NCT ante-natal classes I was made to feel a lesser person for not achieving the goal of a natural birth and yet in my heart of hearts I was so relieved that both the baby's and my life had been spared by the necessary medical intervention. In the midwives eyes I failed again by not managing to breastfeed.I think in a world where so many options are available, all possibilities should remain open and acceptable. The most important thing is healthy mom and healthy baby and how to deal with the reality of living a lifetime with a new child, not dwelling on the 24 hours that brought it into the world.

Clare, Brisbane, Australia

Dawn, i join your saying, and who PAID for those studies??? any medical intervention has certainly "advantages", but it beares also risks... thus, should be chosen case by case! 'painrelief' may be helpful for some women, but others will suffer more than with natural birth, as one neighbour of mine which had still pain from her epidural one *year* after the birth, while mine had been over after the birth-day! think about...
anyway, congratulations to each mother, no matter what birth she chose!!!!

Christina, Switzerland,

Jess, it doesn't sound much fun, but I think you are confusing the literal and the figurative.

Helene, Strasbourg, France