Why is it "brave" to plan for a completely natural birth?

[BellyBelly]

LOL L&B!!! Sad, but true.

[little_O]

I have wondered this too.

I had an ob and birthed in a hospital for dd and I plan the same system this time, but I had a fantastic birth.
I felt in control, empowered and so proud of the birth.

I went in saying I didn't want an epi. I wanted to be active and move. Everyone said to me "you don't have to be a hero, you'll see what it's like when you're in labour!"

Thing is after when I told them it was great I would get the line "oh but that's just you".

I really do not understand this need to play the martyr. Like I had to worst birthing experience, I thought I was going to die, I won't be able to do it, just knock me out...etc etc. I fully accept that some women have traumatic horrible births and my heart goes out to them. But when they are held up as the standard of birth, how can anyone look forward to birthing?

It's like in Australia in particular we have this soft spot for "battlers" and so society feels the need to glorify extremely bad births. Instead of people focusing on bad birth treatments and healthcare, "childbirth" is the issue.


Drives me nuts.