Well, since last reading this thread I have had another beautiful natural birth experience that still makes me get that far away look in my eyes and I wander off in bliss! Natural birth or 'normal' birth really, has the potential to be so empowering and wonderful for you, your baby and the whole family.

For those wondering about 'birthing/parenting classes' and what to do - some hospitals seems to do it better than others, depending on the background of midwives. For example, the hospital I went to 1st time was general public hospital and focused on pain management and where to park! The second time I went to a private hospital where most of the midwives came from a homebirth background and boy was it different and much more empowering. I also did a calmbirth course and a breastfeeding course prior to my second and the information presented was soooooo much more friendly to looking at the whole process.

I guess like all parts of the pregnancy and birthing continuum it is something one just has to research and find what you think will best suit the philosophy on birthing that you have. I know even the first time around I did ignore everything 'awful' and said, no this will not be for me and it wasn't. My first birth was wonderful too, my second was even better!

So, all the best and thankgoodness for wonderful positive threads like this that acknowledge that birth is so much more than a physical process - it is the spiritual journey of birth and connection with your baby from being inside you to being in your arms that is also so important.

Mich xx