>
> Childbirth here in the states, Roy, is a very big production, and usually
> lasts from 12 to 18 hours, with everyone involved in attendance, and even
             ??????????????

My wife when she tells the stories of her childbirths says:

"When I saw the the many women laboring there for 24 hours or more
terribly screaming I decided to finish and leave that damned place as soon
as possible. Indeed I was ready within two hours and in the department
before midnight."

(That time the labor in the father's presence was neither fashion nor
allowed, so I was at home, hanging on the phone.)
                                                  Frank Nagy