My husband and I have four children. Our oldest son's birth was pretty uneventful (in a good way...nothing bad happened) but I did have an epidural and no idea that people gave birth without medication.
Our first daughter (second birth), on the other hand was very traumatic! The doctors told me I was pre-eclamptic and put me on medication without permission, and a whole lot more bad than good stuff happened before all was said and done. Needless to say, this day I vowed to never again give birth in a hospital!
Our second son (third birth), I had finally learned about the Bradley Method and giving births outside of the hospital. Joshua and I studied for weeks about relaxation and being present with each other, trusting in Jesus to take care of us, and (for Joshua) being there 100% for me and my needs. We gave birth in the midwife unit. And I needed it because it was 38hrs before we would meet our baby boy! UNMEDICATED.
Our youngest daughter (fourth birth), was finally our home birth. Relearning the Bradley techniques was a true help for this baby who only needed six hours to come to this world. My midwife almost missed it :) This birth was by far our quickest, smoothest, and easiest baby (and the largest at 8lbs). By the end of the night all I could think was, "why aren't all women giving birth like this?!"
Shortly after I started looking into becoming a childbirth educator.