what a great story, Azizi, and the others too!
i have three children, all in their 20s now, all "natural" births. I practised yoga twice a day during all three pregnancies. The youngest one (catter bugface) came veeery quickly - and she is a very optimistic, adventurous person who has been rushing about ever since. i was meditating when i went into labour, and decided to keep going for a while. suddenly, the contractions were extremely strong. well, we only just made it to the hospital - i was in the last stages of labour, and couldnt walk - i was carried into the operating theatre and remember lying there in incredible agony thinking (no, nothing "spiritual") "how did I EVER let myself go through this again!"

the first two labours, tho much longer, (around 10 hours each) were far less painful. the first one went pretty well, the second time i had a home birth with a Sikh midwife - she was almost military in her discipline! after all that hard work, all three children were very beautiful! I forgot the first two labours quickly - the last one i would LOVE to forget!

I was present with my oldest daughter when she gave birth to my grandchild. her husband was there - it was then that i fully understood what a great relationship they have. it was a wondefrul experience for all of us!

freda