or that you got 'lucky' and that you're so 'brave'. You hit the nail on the head Cassius - people would listen if I'd been in hospital (regardless of whether it was a great experience or a horrific one). Having said that I know women who birth naturally anywhere get shot down, and women who have traumatic births everywhere get told they should be happy with their healthy baby and that's all that matters, and women who have caesareans get told they didn't really give birth so I'm sure we're not alone in feeling this way.