Totally agree, Starlin. A lot of people think that labor is like it is portrayed in films and there is a lot of rushing around and arm flailing. Labor is, for a lot of parents, a long affair with several stages. Like you said, unless the contractions are really coming in, they recommend moms stay home.

Thank you for dispelling the myth that rushing to the hospital is the first thing that needs to happen! I couldn't believe the commentary that the lady was unfit to be a mother--honestly, anything that could take your mind off labor or help you simply be with it without feeling overwhelmed is just fine.

Some of the European countries have a very high home birth rate. Just something to consider in contrast to the comments flaming the mother to be.

How fun!

yeah, agreed.

My mom was in labor with me for 52 hours... she could have done one of those old time epic AV's, lol

I'm just an ignorant bastard...

I didn't know that at all, heh.

Learn something new each day :)

My boyfriend's mother likes to tell the story about how she voted in the presidential election while she was in labor. I had a professor in college who told of a colleague of his who went into labor while administering a final. She told her concerned students to sit down and finish their test, and she went to the hospital after they were done.

Yeah it really does take a long time. Sometimes its very quick (few hours). 12 hours is somewhat typical.

I agree, some kind of distraction is a good thing. And WoW seems like a better option than medication, or like the good ol' days: "here honey, have a cigarette to relieve the tension, and maybe a swig of brandy."