When my twins were born nearly 15 years ago, I suffered through the
traditional labor-in-one-room, deliver-in-another, recover-in-yet-another,
and eventually return-to-your-own-room.  Need I say that I was not
delighted with being wheeled from the labor room to the delivery room and
being placed on the nice hard table (stirrups included at no extra charge)
when I was 10 cm. and really wanting to push?  The only screaming I heard
was another mother delivering while I was in the recovery room afterward.
I haven't a clue when most mothers first got to breastfeed since my twins
were 33 weeks and were whisked off to the NICU.

Since I didn't enjoy the experience (particularly those lovely stirrups),
kid number three was delivered in an ABC (alternate birthing center)
attached to a hospital where I gave birth in a regular double bed.  It was
tremendous:  no IVs, no continuous monitoring, etc.   I nursed Hunter while
the Dr. checked for any tears (no episiotomy). There was another patient
there.  I didn't hear her, but I was a little wrapped up in myself.  This
was 1986.

I had moved to another city by the time of numbers 4, 5, and 6 (number 4
was born in late '92).  I looked for something like the ABC, but
unfortunately none existed in the city of nearly 500K.  Being very aware of
the potential for problems particularly after the twins, I really wasn't
into homebirth, so I chose a doctor I could work with and wrote a birth
plan for the hospital that had an LDRP.  Not quite as good as the ABC, but
with a birth plan that said Thou shalt not break down the bed for delivery
unless medically required (no stirrups), no IV, intermittent monitoring,
etc., etc. that were made a part of my orders in my chart (plus I kept a
spare copy with me), it wasn't too bad.  Baby stayed with me and nursed
almost immediately, dad stayed in the chair that made into a bed.  Yes, I
saw visitors for other patients as I paced the hall in labor, and it was
nice talking with them.  Again, I didn't hear any screaming, but then
again, I was pretty self-absorbed.  It sure as heck beat being moved round
and round the floor.

Just my long-winded .02.

Pauli Loeffler
Edmond, OK