i knew the pethidine comment would cause a stir!! i guess i was just being a bit cheeky..sorry guys. yeah you're right though mayaness, i did let the knockers get to me a bit. i went in there all confident and assertive after reading the posts on this thread on monday morning, but found myself once again feeling like a naive little schoolgirl when faced with the actual scenerio. i conceded that i would consider using pethedine when in labour cos i guess i just don't know how i'm gonna cope till i'm actually in the situation iykwim? i stood firm on the epidural though and said i'm just not interested. i still plan not to use anything, not even pethidine. they can't make me take anything i don't agree to..