We have a profit-based system that is anti-woman and anti-normal physiological birth, breeding widespread fear of childbirth because so many people are conditioned to accept that obstetric intervention and management is instrinsic and have no concept of birth outside of obstetric norms. So many people think epidural/caesarean is the only way they can dodge birth trauma. They don't want you to suffer and they know of no other way to avoid suffering than the epidural.

But the epi itself is traumatic (needle in the back, serious risks) and it often leads to further intervention (baby's heartrate dips, mother loses gravity and mobility and can't push as well, ends up in stirrups, episiotomy, stitches, forceps and possibly c/s)

There's a few midwives trying very hard to help women have some semblence of the normal physiological birth that most women's bodies are capable of. But the system is against them too. I have often seem obstetricians authoritively over-riding what the midwife/s is trying to do, and seen the midwives look down at the floor in frustration and shame. It is extremely disempowering for midwives too.

You've had a normal birth before so you know you can do it! This time, you have set yourself up well for a straightforward birth after all the work you did last time. No WAY will you need an epi this time!

You could consider hiring a doula to be in your corner. Also consider staying home as long as possible (the doula could help you with that) and do most of the work of labour at home.

Another way you can create "space" to labour your way in the system, is go to the Waterbirth International website and download their form letter for applying to a hospital to be allowed to bring your own inflatable birth pool into the hospital. By the time they've run round in circles trying to process that request, and finding ways to fob you off, they're more likely to let you do your thing.

As for well meaning advisers, you could answer them the one of my very first clients answered them: "But I *want* the pain. I want the experience! I want the work! I want to do it myself. I want to feel it. I want all the hormones. Wouldn't miss it for worlds."

Imagine if we obstructed marathon runners and tried to offer them pain-numbers and told them, "You don't have to be a hero, you know!"