Animal: The Autobiography of a Female Body

I guess this combination of 'birth is the most natural thing in the world' and 'birth is agonising and dangerous and can kill everyone involved' is difficult for us to absorb.

'Thank you for enrolling in your chosen class: Self Esteem and Body Confidence,' said the confirmation email. 'For the first session, please bring an outfit that makes you feel really sexy.' There was then a list of suggestions; hot pants, mini-skirt, high heels, suspenders, catsuit etc. I cried for a while imagining how great it must be if you have an outfit that makes you feel sexy.

There's an insinuation of nobility in denying anaesthesia when available. Some sense that the pain is supposed to be felt, which seems medieval to me. How can 'natural' birth be sanctified in any way, when according to nature, at least one in every hundred women would die from it?