It's so good to read the experiences of so many people who have done similar research to me. I've been reading up on labour for many months now, probably for at least a year before I got pregnant.

When I announced my pregnancy I had a number of people (including men) say to me 'just go the epidural', and I found it infuriating. I'm not going to just do anything becuase you say I should. I think the key is to approach labour with an understanding of the various different stages, the pros and cons of different drugs, positions etc, and an understanding that it is a natural process which shouldn't always require doctors, drugs and instruments.