Hi, Barbara. I really empathize with your experiences. I hate it when moms are drugged and induced and babies are dragged out. When I worked at the hospital as an L&D nurse, I remember being so frustrated by the attitude of "pitocin being next to godliness". I think the reason women are not happy with their "painless births" is that the medical establishment misses the point. It isn't pain usually that makes or breaks a birth experience but whether women feel supported and empowered by their experience. I often use the example of athletes such as marathon runners, mountain climbers or such when educating women about medications in labor. As a culture, we esteem athletes and physical prowess. We cheer them on, and congratulate them they climb that mountain, finish that race, etc. Of course, there is some element of physical discomfort, even pain, in some of these endeavors, but we wouldn't think of offering them something to numb them out. In fact, we respect atheletes even more when we know they have overcome some physical discomfort to acheive the goal. Why should it be different in labor? The feeling is so good when we are able to give birth with a clear head and good support. Also, there are so many things that are routinely done that make labor unnecessarily painful such as not feeding women, keeping them attached to monitors, keeping them in bed, etc, and so many non-pharmacological things that can help such as building confidence in the process, being with them and giving support, massage, etc. I guess this is why I feel so deeply about the midwifery philosphy and model of "with woman care", and why I have bothered to jump all the hoops necessary to put myself in a position to practice midwifery, and also to promote it as a standard of care for pregnant women. Yes, there are women who are not induced, who give birth with minimal or no interventions. And I am very grateful for my colleagues out there that are not certified midwives but practice "with woman" care as best they can, including my LC friends. Ione Sims, CNM, IBCLC