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)