Hi all:

I did this analogy in reverse--when I decided to take up running (before my
hip said forget it), I thought, "Gee, if I can give birth without medication,
surely I can stick with running."

I use this analogy too--Our culture praises marathon runners and cheers them
on toward the finish line. If someone says they are beginning to run, we
encourage them. But if a women says she wants to have an unmedicated birth,
she's told she must be nuts and all her efforts are undermined. Makes no
sense, especially when the most vulnerable individual who is affected by
labor, birth and any meds is involved (in spite of so much research).

Karen