This is so interesting . . .those of you who are saying its about re-educating woman, I couldnt agree more. From personal experience . . .I ended up on a synto drip to get me going again. Now i was desperate to have a water birth, alas due to drip was unable too. The pain was (as you all know) agony and I got in the frame of mind, well if I cant have a water birth and I am restricted to bed anyway, I may as well have an Epidural. (I had previously declared I did not want one and my husband was well clued up on this) I asked the midwife to organise it all. My husband advised the midwife that I had for all my pregnancy been adament about not wanting an epidural. In the end the Midwife sat down next to me and talked to me like a "friend" and said "go on give it a go, you were made to do this" . . . .and I did with Gas and Air . . .I wander how many woman in similar positions get that care which is much needed . . . and believe in themselves to do it. i personally believe that epidurals shouldnt be so readily available.

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