thank you so much for all your reassurances!!! it is important for me to know that other people have done it...i was just feeling really insecure last night when i started this post. my dp is very supportive and has in fact, had an epidural himself when he had a motorbike accident and fully supports and agrees with my desire to try not to have one. he has a strong belief in the ability of my body, and reckons my instincts will kick in and take over and that i'll be great. he makes me feel heaps better. i've been doing heaps of reading- have gots lots more books to add to my 'wanted list' now (thanks mayaness!!!). i basically read the books and then summarise them and tell dp all about them (he doesn't read at all). we've been doing lots of talking- heaps of it last night actually and he is a big believer in my abilities. thank you everyone