My first was a hospital birth, and I still feel traumatized by the whole thing. DS1 was born blue and not breathing because the epidural was turned up so high that I couldn't feel anything and the nurses were being lazy and marking my chart as if they were checking me for dilation without actually checking. They actually prepped me for a c-section for "failure to progress" (hospital code for been here too long and we need to get her out of L&D to free up a bed!) I insisted that they check me, and the nurse's eyes about popped out of her head because I was at 10 cm with his head bulging out. They also gave me an episiotomy that I was VERY vocal about forbidding, took my baby from me instead of letting me warm him on my belly, and sent me a lactation consultant who gave me formula "in case I got frustrated." There was no part of that experience I remember fondly.
DS2 was an intervention-free waterbirth in a freestanding birth center. I pushed him out in 4 pushes, and it was the most calm and beautiful birth I could have ever asked for. I DID tear a little, but my midwife said it was along the episiotomy scar, and that I probably wouldn't have torn if I hadn't had one for my first birth (GRRR!)
I'm always happy to hear about women pleased with their hospital births, because no one should go through what I went through. But for me, this one will be a home waterbirth! No natural contraction is EVER as painful as one supplemented with pitocin! I should know, I've experienced both :)

