Noni e - yep I'd recommend 'new active birth' by Janet Balaskas. I trusted my body would do what it was meant to, and had no drugs at all with Caty. Stayed at home as long as I could (in the bath mostly) and went into hossy to find I was already 10cm!!

I totally don't get the 'don't be a matyr, just get an epidural' comments. I think it just makes other people feel better when they choose drugs during labour? Which is fine as it's a personal choice. But it certainly wasn't a horrific experience for me, it was most fantastic actually! Pain was totally worth it and manageable. Plus the hormones you make during and after birth are AWESOME! I was awake til 4am after an 11.56pm birth

A few of my DH's workmates/boss were all like 'ah, you'll be screaming for the epidural' and I must say it was most satisfying to hear DH on the phone after the birth singing my praises and saying how proud he was of me!

If I didn't have Bellybelly (and God!) I doubt I would have had such a great birth.