Free Republic

LONDON (Reuters) - They insist they're no superwomen, they have no special powers, and are certainly not pain or adrenaline junkies. But 'freebirthers' choose to go through what some call the most painful and potentially frightening experience of a woman's life with no drugs, no midwife and no medical help. Delivering their own babies at home, often alone, they dismiss what they say is "fearmongering" by doctors and midwives and confidently catch their offspring as they leave the womb. "Birthing uses the same hormones as lovemaking -- so why would you want anyone poking and prodding you, observing you and...

I was awakened by my wife saying, "Wake up". I shook myself awake and walked over to the bed in the birthing room at the hospital. It was 1am, and we were alone. "I want the epidural. I can't take it any more", she said, her voice sounding faint. We had only been at the hospital 3 hours. We were told we had only progressed half way, 5 cm. This despite the fact we had stayed at home as long as reasonable. So, it being the middle of the night of course, I, the coach, failing to execute the Husband-coached...