In a message dated 98-03-30 00:01:29 EST, you write:

<<   But one pediatrician offered that he had never
 met a fully breast fed infant that had been intentionally or
 significantly abused or neglected.  There were 100 general pediatricians
 from every state in the country and 20 expert instructors.  None of us
 could think of a case.
  >>

I would like to suggest that some of the attachment a woman feels for her
infant begins at the time of delivery. With the overuse and abuse of drugs
used during labor, women don't experience the birth of their babies. I know
for myself having a c/section with the first and a vbac with the second, the
imediate attachment was very different. When I experienced the labor, and yes
it was painful, the joy of giving birth was indescribable.  Are we humans so
arrogant to think that our contractions are any more painful than other
mammals?

 By the power of agreement women were made to believe that birth is painful
and drugs are necessary. Human beings are the only species that believe in
that distinction, every other mammal in our universe just goes into labor and
delivers  their baby. They weren't told that birth is painful. Women make
noise in labor and may even scream, this was interpreted as pain. I'm
suggesting this was an inaccurate interpretation, that women scream and birth
is power and intense hard work, hense the word labor.

To empower women to labor and birth their babies, unmedicated, empowers them
to have a huge bond with those babies. Think of it in terms of a marathon
runner, they prepare for the race, run 26 miles, experience the fatigue,  pain
in their legs and feet from running, but reach the finish line with an
overwhelming sense of accomplishment. If someone on the starting line said,
"Listen, I can give you drugs to put you to sleep and you can wake up on the
finish line." Do you think that person would have the same sense of
accomplishment about finishing the race?

 If we empowered women to labor, birth and nourish their babies, their
attachment to those babies would be so much greater. Animal mothers are so
protective of  their babies, they would die to protect those young. Human
beings don't always have that same sense of attachment to their young.

I think it's time to empower women to believe in their bodies, to fully
support them in this process with encouragement and provide the skills to
birth their babies and to nourish their young. Every other species of mammal
has that right, let's give it back to women.

Sorry this is so long, but I feel very passionate about the birth process as
much as I am passionate about breastfeeding. I have written a letter to Oprah
requesting she do a program on *Normal Birth*, she has pushed epidurals way to
much for me. I have been sending out letters and email since October, with no
response. Anyone interested in sending her letters can email me privately. I
have a generic version of the letter that can be sent or emailed.
Roni Chastain, RN, FACCE