I definitely think that it's human nature to believe we can control things, even the essentially uncontrollable.
Whether we believe that ignorance is bliss, or that being educated protects us from things going wrong, the reality is that birth is a natural force, and in some ways inherently unpredictable.
Couldn't agree more. I have been reading these threads and find them really interesting and thought provoking. It is great to hear the opinions of so many women on how they feel about these issues. I must say i have been very lucky with all my births, and lucky with the birthing programs that i was accepted into, as i think that they really helped me in the end with being so happy with my birthing outcomes, and thus are the models of care i would like to work in the future.
It wasn't just my choice though as to these options. It was the hospitals choice as to if i was accepted into the midwifery know your midwife program, and at my local hospital very few of the women who want this model are actually accepted into it. Again, it was my choice to see one of the lactation consultants there when i first had problems breastfeeding, but i was lucky in that i was able to get an appointment the next day due to a cancelation.
We can make choices, but ultimately many times they can be inhibited by the choices of OB's, Midwives, Our partners, Money, Hosptial staff, Traffic, Timing, any anything else! Life is unpredictable.
All we can do is try to make the best choices we can, and do the best we can to try to make our choices eventuate, but also accept that sometimes we can't be in control of some things, and try to change them when we next get the opportunity- if we do.