One could be forgiven for not wanting children after reading all this. But we had them just the same. Here in the states there was a fad to take "childbirth" classes, which folks probably still do, and one got the impression that all the ladies would give birth during the last class. That didn't happen, of course, but one didn't wait that long. My wife drove herself to the hospital the first time, so I see no reason any wife couldn't do the same, although I will admit it simplifies the parking it you drive her instead.
One reads in the paper of babies being delivered everywhere from the front steps to the hospital lobby, so it may be more common than is generally thought, but of course, those are the newsworthy events. I imagine the hospital charges are incurred if it's a do-it-yourself in the lobby, no doubt. However, childbirth in any fashion is an awfully bloody (mean "with blood") affair, which tends to make you cringe when you hear the expression "surgical strike," as if surgery were bloodless.
Our first one was born at the stroke of midnight, December 31, 31 years ago.
