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