Wow Ambah, that is a dramatic story, it is interesting that your experiences were similar in alot of ways to mine, including the induction and the epidural !

I too felt guilty that I "cheated" by having an epidural , but thanks to it, I had excellent recovery, no tearing and a calm labour(my partner nearly cheered when I said I wanted one!) with a healthy child..and really that is ALL that matters..

I too feel lucky to be alive and having my baby in the time where the birth morality rate for babies and mothers is so low, and there are many options for women to birth.

You should consider than the induction brings on an INTENSE level of contractions and that your body hasn't had time to build up the adrenialin required to deal with the pain, so most women go for an epidural in this situation (okay Kathryn was a very brave one!)

I would like to think I would go differently next time if I have a spontantious labour, but the reality is I am not sure my pain threshold is that fantasic, and after realising how wonderful an epidural can be..I'm not sure I'll be going any other way next time!

Great Story!