I'm going to chime in here. I don't read fashion magazines either. For one reason, I don't think they are indicative of what is in style at our "tier", if that's what you want to call it. Perhaps it has to do with where you live also. For instance, I won't say that nude hose are outdated. Yes, in years past I have seen alot of black hose (which is what I try to wear if I absolutely MUST wear hose), tights (which you can't wear with every type dress), and my favorite - pants. LOL!! I still see alot of nude hose on ladies in this area - ladies who are fashionably dressed. I also think we've heard so much about Katherine and Pippa and their nude hose, that we will see more of them. What's in-style or current, etc. in NYC is not what is the look here in Tennessee. I have to say re jeans, I see many more women here wearing the slightly flared leg than the skinny jeans. You may remember that I work at a college, and I do see girls there in the skinnies. The skinnies that are tight enough to look like leggings LOL. IMO, that is who they look best on, the younger girls. I don't think at my age (staring 50 in the face!), that skinnies are the look for me. Another trend - we talked about maxi dresses earlier on this forum, well after that conversation, I started looking more closely at what people were wearing. Again, I saw many more under 30 gals with the maxi dresses. Most were younger than that. They were popular with the college set. I really think they are cute, but I am too short to carry that look off, plus I don't think I could stand all that fabric around my legs. Things like that bug me. Age wise - I'm not so sure. I want to have an updated, current look but I really prefer to have my own style and don't worry about having/wearing what everyone else is wearing or what someone says is the style. Some trends, I like and are favorable on me, some I don't and they're not LOL. I like classic seperates that continue to look current through the years, and update them with trendy jackets, sweaters, accessories, etc. That's just me. While I don't read fasion mags, I will admit to being slightly adicted to home deco mags. LOL Recently downloaded two trial subscriptions to my nook. It IS cheaper!! Just my two cents worth on fasion! tina

No I'm not a doctor. I suggest you ask your doctor what s/he means by "never go have to go through menopause." I *can* guarantee you that you will not remain reproductive for the rest of your life and that you will become post menopausal at some time - probably within the next 15 years. Whether the birth control pills keep the menopausal symptoms at bay during that time is very much an individual matter rather than a certainty. Once you have become post menopausal there are very few reputable physicians who would continue to prescribe the high doses of hormones present in oral contraceptives because of the risks these drugs pose in the post menopausal woman. So-called "hormone replacement therapy" contains much lower doses of both estrogen and progesterone and is thus safer than oc's.

WRT to the OP - I had 3 children, the first was with a midwife and planned homebirth (the hospital is a few minutes away) after 18 hours I wound up at the hospital with an epidural that only froze 1/2 of my pelvis. I delivered a direct OP (aka sunny side up) baby vaginally which is practically unheard of in a first timer. In one word OUCH! but my experience at the hospital was very pleasant. Child #2, 13 months later was planned to be at the hospital with our midwife and finally was induced without epidural (16 days post dates) The whole thing was over in under three hours 2 minutes of pushing incredibly painful since the pace was too fast for my body to build endorphins and those pitocin induced superhuman contractions. OTOH very fast and recovery was also fast. I left the hospital 3 hours later. Child #3: 15 days early, all natural, with our midwife in hospital again under three hours but no induction. Still was a lot of pain but it was over quickly. Again I was out of the hospital within hours. Somehting like this admitted at 6:30am delivered at 7:30am back home making lunch at 11am...then I had a nap! WRT the other posts. I work in a natural health care field and I have seen all types and I will say for sure that a lot of people elect to have a c-section for non-medical reasons. To each his/her own. My only issue is the misconception that c-sections carry very little risk when that is not the case. There are increased risks with c-sections. When those risks are weighed with impending danger then it may make it a good choice, not so sure it is a great elective. For me it all boils down to doing what is best for my child and for myself. I firmly believe that a birth with as little intervention as possible translates into better health for everyone Here is an excerpt from an article quoting the WHO. Risks to mum Risk of death is 3-6 times higher Risk of infection is higher  20% of women may develop infection and fever Increased use of painkillers and antibiotics by Caesarean mums during their recovery period Longer recovery time  few women are fully recovered by six weeks post-partum Increased risk of miscarriage and ectopic pregnancy next time around Increased risk of placenta praevia (the placenta covering the cervix) and placenta abruptio (the placenta prematurely separating from the uterine wall) in next pregnancy Increased risk of uterine rupture in next birth Increased incidence of post-natal depression following a Caesarean Risks to baby Increased likelihood of premature birth, since elective Caesareans are often booked in a week ahead of the due date. This is because itÂs easier and safer to cut a non-contracting muscle (the uterus) and do an operation when all the theatre staff are on site and prepared. Significant increase in respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) Here is a link that might be useful: Interesting article.

"so now the subject requires a second post? even though the first post hasn't filled up? & even though the subject is kkny, the title of this post is "Birth mom" etc? so is everyone now to abandon the previous thread (where there's a lot of dissension) & just post on this one?" Sylvia, I think you aren't following too closely and owe Doodle an apology. See this thread: Birth Mom Behavior - Original Thread In that thread, pretty close to the bottom, is this post: RE: Birth mom behavior ÂPosted by kkny (My Page) on Tue, Jul 7, 09 at 9:18 "Shannon, I don't see why it is Dad's responibiltiy to provide college or a downpayment for kids that aren't his. Apparently the SMs think dad should pay for stepkids. Thats life -- different people regard things differently. I think SMs are only kidding themselves that this wont create strife. My poll of friends and family think unless the stepkids have been living with dad since around age 2, that would be unusual, and most of the men I know say that they might pay, but be resentful and be silent but regard it a cost of keeping the peace. One of my neighbors did pay some for SD, but only at a public school, while his kids went to private school, and then name private universities. The mom said she didnt understand how schools worked -- I guess she didnt learn that much working the beauty counter at Bloomies. But at least he paid for the first two years for SD. They are now divorced, so he is no longer paying."