I think you made a really good point there PZ. My impression is (and was kind of my first birth experience at the hospital) was that: 'i go through it'. i not only survived the 'hardship' of labour but actually did it with strength and fortitude and it wasnt like the horror stories at all...and I could prove all the naysayers wrong. that for me, was success. I still hated birthing and found it the most awful thing a woman could go through and dont take the task lightly and doubted that i would ever have more children...but it wasnt as bad as the horror stories that people and media tell. So, Victory!!

I thought that I had reached the ultimate in birthing awesomeness and i seriously felt that 'those women' who had 'orgasmic' or 'empowered' births were 'putting it on' lol. i seriously really had no idea that you could have a birth that was ecstatic or even pain free (and this is not to say that every HB is pain free...i just think that it is more likely to happen in a home setting ITMS).

Anyway, feeling much better about it today. and thankful that i got to vent in here in safety...punching bag room was not my space lol.

I'll go back to my hippy smug place of HB with my head held high