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Added: Tuesday, 14 July, 2009, 09:30 GMT 10:30 UK

Yes, pain during childbirth is natural, and women endured it for thousands upon thousands of years before the invention of pain releief. But you could also argue that the same applies to death during childbirth, infant mortality, illness and disease. If we're advanced and compassionate enough to prolong and protect life - and to prevent unecessary pain and suffering, is there any sane and practical reason why this compassion shouldn't be offered to woment giving birth?

Peter Wells

Added: Tuesday, 14 July, 2009, 09:29 GMT 10:29 UK

I've had 2 children with minimal pain relief (some gas
& air in the last hour) and felt that the pain was an important part of the process. Both my babies were 'back to back' too so it was no easy ride. Yes, it hurt like nothing else on earth but it has done me no lasting damage and I agree with Dr Walsh that it's a rite of passage. I felt a huge sense of accomplishment on the delivery of my boys. Enduring a bit of pain makes us stronger. The fear of pain is more debilitating than pain itself

coldincornwall, penryn

Added: Tuesday, 14 July, 2009, 09:27 GMT 10:27 UK

The taxpayer is the one feeling the pain when women give birth. Pregnant women should just think about all the free money that breeding entitles them to and the pain will soon go away.

Maxell Fellows

Added: Tuesday, 14 July, 2009, 09:23 GMT 10:23 UK

Pain is good, right of passage. Why do we have to endure the outrageous opinions of yet another nutty professor.

[Confuciousfred], DEVON, United Kingdom

Added: Tuesday, 14 July, 2009, 09:22 GMT 10:22 UK

It is when it's my ex's.

Jason Morris, Awaiting moderation, United Kingdom

Added: Tuesday, 14 July, 2009, 09:20 GMT 10:20 UK

This story has been, on the surface, put across in a very inflammatory manner. By pointing out that '..a male midwife' says 'pain is good' and a female says '..it's very,very intense...' is just goading for a battle of the sexes. Actually reading between the lines shows that the 'male' and female midwife actually agree that the numbers of epidural need to be monitored as more natural births have positive affects. Please BBC, keep an eye on your journalists your not the Daily Mail!!

Chris, Bristol

Added: Tuesday, 14 July, 2009, 09:12 GMT 10:12 UK

Too many women devolve the responsibility for their birth to the NHS/hospital systems which are flawed. One-to-one care is known to be the gold standard (women don't feel the need to ask for pain relief as they don't fall into the Fear-Tension-Pain trap) but it is still not provided. It is easier for the doctors to medicate and intervene surgically. Women should educate themselves on the physiology and psychology of birth and demand the care they deserve from their PCT in advance of labour.

Fiona, London

Added: Tuesday, 14 July, 2009, 09:11 GMT 10:11 UK

The only good thing about it might be that it would put you off from having too many babies - that would help to keep the population under control.

[ordinary_jo], UK, United Kingdom

Added: Tuesday, 14 July, 2009, 09:09 GMT 10:09 UK

Child birth is excrutiatingly painful however we are the only species that requires pain relief to go through it.

Animals all over the world give birth every second but they dont need pain relief unless something goes wrong, Humans managed it for thousands of years, Stoneage women couldnt cry out for an epidural!!

Pain relief like any other medicine has its place in our society but it is the position of its place that is of concern. used where its needed is fine but not routinely.

starsky, real world

Added: Tuesday, 14 July, 2009, 09:07 GMT 10:07 UK

at the end of the day... men are the ones expected to pay for it.
equality dont make me laugh.

Mr Angry, croydon, United Kingdom

Added: Tuesday, 14 July, 2009, 09:05 GMT 10:05 UK

Lets make childbirth totally painless,so that even more women will just want to pop out sprogs left right and centre to qualify for their free house, benefits and a daytime TV lifestyle.

Mr Angry, croydon, United Kingdom

Added: Tuesday, 14 July, 2009, 09:02 GMT 10:02 UK

I was in agony. I was given no pain releif due to them worrying I would have a seizure during child birth. The problem was they did not explain to me this was their plan, they just kept saying no you cant have any of the drugs. As a result I screamed so loud I was asked to shut up by the midwife from next door. It turned out I had complications and that explained the pain, but I have to say the fact it was not explained made the pain worse, lost 8 pts blood and nearly died. Shut up indeed!

gail, uk

Added: Tuesday, 14 July, 2009, 08:55 GMT 09:55 UK

When female Doctor's hold men's testicles whilst coughing there is no problem and a man will listen to her advice and professional opinion. Female Doctors do not have testicles.

When a male Doctor, or professor, makes a comment on the female form....well, just read the female posts here and see the reaction.

Most women here do not do justice to their own gender and certainly do no favours for feminism within the sex wars arena.

Feel_Bad_Factor, Sutton Codlfield - UK

Added: Tuesday, 14 July, 2009, 08:44 GMT 09:44 UK

I gave birth naturally to my son eleven years ago. He is an only child. Work it out for yourself, never again.

I did ask for an epidural after 18 hours, but they said I was too advanced for it to work. I can remember every contraction even now.

Ladies, take as much pain relief as you feel you need.

Jayne, Manchester

Added: Tuesday, 14 July, 2009, 08:43 GMT 09:43 UK

Who is the healthcare professional kidding. I have never heard such a stupid remark in all of my life (which is long, and after three children!).

c jones, brighton