You know, it amazes me how much hate and intolerance people have for other people's choices. I have posted a few times lately on the one blog I go to and I just can't believe the degree of anger and rudeness that people use responding to both the blog owner's posts and the people who comment's posts as well. I don't know how the blogger herself deals with all the negative stuff that is said about her and her family. I have trouble when people say things about my comments, and I'm not even identified like the blogger is! For example, on a recent post about a nasty article someone wrote about natural births being on the decline(no medication), I added this comment:

I've had three babies, the first with epidural, the last two natural. I don't think there is anything wrong with being proud of what your body can do. I don't think it makes you any more of a woman or better, it's a very personal thing. With my first, the pushing stage took so much longer than it needed to because I couldn't feel to push. I was so groggy and out of it and so was the baby. I realize that doesn't happen in most epidurals, but even without that,in my particular case, I much preferred the natural births. But every situation is different. Natural birth was both harder and easier than I expected. One thing that made it easier to do natural was that I didn't go to the hospital until last minute-I was more comfortable free in my own home.

I thought that made it pretty clear that I was in no way suggesting that I thought everyone should birth natural just because I did. I said, "in my particular case...." I don't think it means you are less of a woman if you don't. I commented to add a positive comment because mainly negative things were being said on the topic. Two people commented after me saying I was being smug and one said" I guess these people have very little else to be proud of in their lives." Geez. I didn't think I sounded smug. I certainly don't feel that way. I can be proud of my own accomplishments without feeling that others who don't do the same should be ashamed! And frankly, it isn't an issue that really comes up often. I don't proudly congradulate myself every day. In fact, unless I'm relating a birth story, the only time it's come up is when I was laughing at myself because I can go through natural childbirth twice(and the first one was no picnic either!) but I can't take a splinter out of my own foot!
I don't know, did anyone think my comment sounded smug? I'd appreciate the feedback because I think I often come across differently than I intend.