This is the baby factory. They're not all like that. In fact, one of my kids was born at Kent Hospital, which is much smaller and not as trafficky. I had a glorious, soft-lit, quiet, sensual birth there, when i_am_a_hannah was born nineteen years ago. From what I hear, it's still not a bad place to have a baby for someone who wants a hospital birth. I was supposed to go there for mr_t00by's birth, but I was "sent" to Women and Infants without knowing I had other options (that'll all be in teh Birth Story, whee!). All hospitals are NOT alike. I'm glad you got to have the choices you want. (I'm not completely against all epidurals, btw. I'm for informed choice, and too many women go into stuff without asking questions first. I don't think that's you, darlin, in the least. You had the best birth for you, and that's what it's about, really. My experience with an epidural was horrific. I'm glad yours wasn't. *hugs*

I'd love to sit down in a room with a bottle of good wine and a bunch of women with varying opinions about birth and related issues and just yak until we were all hoarse. I think it would be educational for everyone. Me especially.