Amy,

It was me (I?) who said it (about women receiving epidurals being less
passionate about their birth experience and not needing to talk about it as
much).  I think you made a good point about it depending on the woman, and
not on the procedures.  Perhaps the point should be made that it is what we
want in our hearts.... there are those of us that would have had natural
childbirth if we COULD have had it -- are sad that we needed a
spinal/epidural/medication/C-Section.  There are those of us that never
intended to have anything but complete and total pain relief.  I guess I see
the latter as the ones that don't feel as passionate about their experience.
 Perhaps part of it is how hard we work for it?  I see my kids crowing a lot
more about receiving an A in a tough subject (like Honors English) than I see
them crowing about an A in gym or Treble Choir, though interestingly enough,
as far as the GPA is concerned, they are both weighted the same.  (Thank
goodness for As in gym & Treble choir or my kids would NEVER make it into
college!! :))

It's a tough call, and certainly not something that has been scientifically
studied.....

Thanks for your comments.

Jan B. (Still freezing at -25 in Wheaton)