Thank you, Rachael ([log in to unmask])!
 You put in words my own experience with pain. After 2 medicalized
deliveries (and feeling guilty and less of a woman after both) I had my
third baby "all natural", all ten pounds and six ounces, and excruciating
pain... And took more than one year to finally accept the loss of control felt at
all births... either "the doctors" took control, or I became the
incredible Hulk, no elation after, only sadness (I scandalized my very
religious mother, when I asked her why did God hate women so much)... BTW,
the third baby was the most awake (of course) and the most terrible nipple destroyer (still nursing
at 22 months :), though)

 All that to remind us that we see the most difficults cases.  We do not
see the epidurals moms who are happily breastfeeding... Some women are not
athletes, some women prefer to be talking than screaming, and some women know
themselves well enough to know what they can deal with, and what they
can't.  Our role, IMO, is to inform of the possible consequences, and
stand by their choice ! I tell my clients that if women can bf an
adopted baby, or start nursing after a few days, every thing is
possible... if you accept putting a few more hurdles on your way...
Until safer pain relieving methods are found
(has anybody heard of "walking epidurals"? What do they put in them ?)

 Was that a soapbox ?


Louise Denhez, M.D., M.P.H
Chargee d'enseignement clinique
Departement de medecine sociale et preventive