I think it depends on how you look at it. After the medicalization of child birth, the pendulum has started to swing the other and we're getting back to a more natural approach. Though considering that's how birth originally was before modern medicine, I guess that's going backwards as well anyway! Ignoring that fact though, I think we're taking steps in the right direction having midwife-lead care etc. I agree though that women are expected to recover too quickly. In non-westernized countries, women experience exactly what your grandmother did; they're left to bond with their babies and other people take care of the household stuff. I suppose that's one of the drawbacks to living in a capitalist society - women are expected to get on with it, and then get on with work soon after too. But that's a whole different story!
yeah i think we're getting back on track, having women as birth support was traditional pre-medicalisation. I had only my husband and a midwife at each birth - it was my wish no men be present.

also regarding the episiotomy - i didn't get any pain relief with mine! are you supposed to???? she just grabbed the scissors and cut it - i hardly felt it though, i was in more pain than a little snip.