Hi all, thanks for your replies..no doulas or birth pools out here in the bush!! We are considered lucky to have a hospital that delivers!! They can do epidurals. just don't have the staff to do the monitoring that is required. Which makes me wonder if I should ask for an induction at the major hospital an hour away. I know they can induce with an epidural as I've been told by staff, however the doctors are saying no epidural until active labour, which means I have no chance. I know you recover quicker after a natural birth, but I just don't want the stress and the feeling of being out of control!!.