I write this story hoping that it may be of some help or at least reassurance to women who are in an unenviable position of giving birth to a first child in a foreign country. I also raise a debate here over the controversial issue: natural birth vs. modern medicine.

Like most of us, prior to my labor I had read a lot of pregnancy forums/books, research articles, etc. and was determined to have my labor as natural as possible. I wrote my birth plan, where I rejected the idea of any medical interference such as epidural, episiotomy, Cesarean, forceps, etc. Instead, I was going to use natural pain relief methods such as self hypnosis, controlled breathing, massaging of coxes, acupuncture/acupressure (spot GB21) and hot water bottle on my lower back.

I was in a foreign country, Germany, in a small beautiful Mosel town, Traben-Trarbach. Naturally, I had my concerns over a language barrier and potentially, misunderstanding of crucially important information. In addition, I had to accept that a lot of things are done differently over here, compared to the U.K. For instance, there is no gas and air. Birth plans are not popular. Mine wasn't even read except by my family later (for comedy's sake!) as none of the points that I put there had come to fruition. Though I have to admit, when I look back at it, it was a bit naïve, to say the least. You will see what I mean from my story below.

My labor was due on the 6th of July. However, as it is often the case with first-time babies, I was overdue by 10 days when my gynecologist, Dr. W, suggested to induce me, which is a legal requirement in Germany. I was given a choice to wait another couple of days, but ran a risk of potential complications like Cesarean, etc.

Considering that Germany is a very orderly country, where all procedures are followed to the minor detail, I really appreciated such flexibility on their part, particularly that if I would have gone for the second option (i.e. waiting for my natural contractions) my doctors (Mr. and Mrs. W), anesthesiologist (unfortunately, I didn't register the name) and midwife Rita would have to work during their weekend! I heard that in some countries, statistically speaking, there are more Cesareans on Fridays than during weekdays, for some obvious reasons! I was scared to have any complications, particularly Cesarean, and decided to do an induction.

Around 5 p.m., on 16th of July, I felt my first contraction, though they were not "my contractions," rather induced ones, with irregular intervals every one, two or three minutes and very little progress (1 centimeter's dilation in six hours!).

By 11 p.m. I was exhausted and asked my midwife if I could use their birth pool to restore my energy. This was such a relief. I didn't feel any pain and didn't want to leave the bath, which was in a separate relaxing room with special dimmed lights.

At 1 a.m. I went back to my room at the hospital after receiving a special sleeping tablet (which I do recommend; it really had such a relaxing effect on me!). At this point my waters broke, which was a sign that my natural birth had started, so I was told. Indeed, my contractions had become regular and a lot more painful.

I was scared to stay in the room by myself, having contractions throughout the whole night and somehow still preserve enough energy for the final stage of pushing the following day. I weighed my options and asked for a PDA, which is a form of epidural over here, injected below the spinal cord. It did not affect my mobility or alertness. I was walking/feeling normal and had a relaxing night. Dilation progress was not great during the night (only another 1centimeters), but it picked up in the morning.

I received another acupuncture session, a homeopathy tablet to speed up dilation and a new dose of PDA to deal with the increasing pain. Something must have worked as by 3 p.m. I was dilated to 9 centimeters. By that point I completely surrendered myself to German doctors, who seemed to know very well what I needed and fully earned my trust and respect.

Around 4 p.m. I was told that I could start preparing for the final pushing stage. That was the hardest part in my labor. Up to this point I didn't feel any real pain, as during contractions I was walking and even did some shopping therapy!

When pushing started all I could do was scream, which, as I realized later, was a waste of my energy/air, which I could have used/directed internally to make pushing more effective. Later, I learned that while pushing, my pelvis had stretched and tilted, which aggravated the pain.

My midwife Rita was excellent in telling me how to breathe and encouraging me to try different positions. I tried them all. Standing on my knees and hanging on to my partner was the most effective from what I can remember.

By 6:05 p.m. my baby girl Amira was born (on 17.07.09) and was given to me for the first breastfeed. I was so shocked and distressed that I didn't even notice that I was cut by approximately 1 inch, had stitches and an induced birth of placenta, all against my birth plan. Thank God (or Dr. W) for that, as it was all over very quickly and I could walk to my room with my beautiful baby. I recovered very quickly and neither I nor my daughter were affected by any of the mentioned drugs, as I feared when was writing my birth plan.

I couldn't believe how good medical care was in the hospital, where I stayed for six days before and after birth (with Cesareans women stay even longer!). I had a beautiful view over Mosel River and vineyards in my room, which was so calming and felt more like I was on holiday! During this time I was thoroughly monitored, checked every day for temperature, blood pressure, blood loss, etc. My baby was looked after at night, so I could sleep. Food was excellent by hospital standards. There was a choice of three options: normal, healthy diet (for people with digestion problems) and vegetarian food. The birth room was equipped with an adjustable remote-controlled bed with various options, a birth ball, a rope to hang on to, special relaxing lights, not to mention sophisticated medical equipment and famous German immaculate cleanliness!

I had two birth partners: my husband, Richard, and my mum, Lyudmila. I heard one other woman had three people with her, although if they stay overnight and use a bed a payment is required of around 25 pounds per night, depending on the exchange rate. I was given a lot of personal attention throughout my stay: exercise sessions, was taught how to breastfeed, change nappies and a lot of other invaluable advice. Some of the staff spoke English and even when they didn't we managed to communicate somehow, as they were all very friendly and caring people. So the language barrier was never an issue, instead staying in the hospital served me well as an intensive German course!

I can honestly say that the treatment I received there would be equivalent to a private care in the U.K. However, it didn't cost anywhere near as much! Being a European citizen (British) we are insured for medical treatment anywhere in Europe. If you have a European Health Insurance Card (formerly E111 card) than most of the costs incurred in the hospital and during prenatal care will be reimbursed by the NHS when you return back to the U.K.

For those of you who would like to have some further information, there is also a well summarized site with a lot of useful information on how to give birth in Germany: http://www.howtogermany.com/pages/havingababy.html

Going back to my original discussion point: natural birth vs. modern medicine. I can honestly say that I felt good both during labor and after; my baby was born healthy, alert and not affected by any drugs at all. Prior to my labor I believed in alternative medicine, things like raspberry leaf tea, acupuncture/acupressure, homeopathy, etc., even considered giving birth at home. Some of these alternative remedies may have helped, but I cannot say for sure if they did or not. However, I can definitely say that the expert knowledge of doctors/midwives with their professional training and many years of experience definitely did.

So my question is this: Why say no to a civilized birth with all the help of modern medicine? I also have realized how labor itself can be potentially so unpredictable and have various complications and how much risk is involved in giving birth at home. The only medical interference I regret is having an induction. If I had waited for my natural contractions, my labor would have been a lot shorter, I think.