That's been the experience of some of my friends who've given birth as well. Then on the other side, you get the well-meaning amateurs - frequently male, or much older females - who make the person feel bad for wanting any pain relief. The idea boils down to, that you're being a bad mother who's selfishly poisoning your child to avoid a little temporary discomfort. But I'd love to know how many proponents of "natural" childbirth have "natural" - drug free - dentistry, or are willing to face a "natural" unmedicated death from something painful.