Hopefully you won't be a hyperventilating, scared new mother. It's all about researching your options and knowing what you want - and what route you'd go if complications *did* arise.

On a sideline: what's your take on pain medication during labour?

I believe that pain meds are not as innoculous as the general public seems to think, but they are wonderful tools for women who need them. As a doula, I'm all about a woman having choices. Again, it comes down to research and personal choice. EVERY medication comes with risks and side effects (and any doc who says "There are no risks" should be avoided like cesareans *ba dum dum!*) - it's up to each mother to decide if the risks outweigh the benefits for them.

I chose not to have pain medications during labor. I did not feel it was in alignment with the type of birth experiences I wanted to have. I'm also a fan of alternative methods of pain relief first and foremost - walking, changing positions, counter-pressure, hip squeezes, birth balls, showers, tubs, massages, reiki, etc. I was lucky to have very short, awesome births. At my first birth as a doula, I supported a woman who didn't want meds but labored for nearly 24 hours. She ended up getting an epidural so that she could rest and be fresh for the pushing stage. I likely would have done the same thing in her place, and I fully supported and agreed with her choice.

I would LOVE to go. And the prices for renting a cottage and hanging out for a week or two are so cheap.

I got to see Ina May last year at a LLL meeting. It was very cool, although I did a lot of walking with a colicky child. :P I got a picture, though, and that made my day. :)

I can't even imagine how awesomely cool it would be to be raised there. I met a doula locally who had also been born and raised there, but she moved away rather quickly. I would so move there if they'd take me. :D

Indeed it is! So tell me...were they raving? :-D The word 'doula' has gained a lot of attention in recent years, and I really think it's because the role is so necessary and women are ready to embrace them!

I've heard of sympathetic pregnancy, although I didn't know the term, but that Taegyo link was all new to me. That is fascinating stuff! Thank you so much for the link! I'm definitely going to research that a bit more. It sounds like a lot of good advice and tradition.

Yeah, I think I found this icon on either alternparents or one of my doula groups. Isn't it fantastic? I have it credited to lierre