dear percy
i have had 2 natural births(a couple of sucks of gas i liked biting on the mouth piece for distraction!)no stitches and good breastfeeders.i trained for 2 yrs with apersonal trainer and kept very active i dont have a high pain threshhold except for childbirth strangely.my advice is to do a breastfeeding course it helped a lot tell your ob or midwife your plans but to be openminded if you need to change as the end result is a healthy baby a nd happy mum.keeping active is my key i walk walk!squat as often as you can.i really go into myself and focus as one more contraction is closer to holding that baby.its a hard days work but rewarding.1st labour 12hrs 2nd labour 3hrs.goodluck hope we have all helped.regards kel