Re: why do rich women...
With our first baby my wife had Cramps for 8 hours before I suggested Epidurel. It took around 16 hours altogether so she was on Epidural for around 8 hours. Natrual brith.
With our second baby, we didn't have time to go to Hospital. I was the mid-wife myself. The mid-wife reached home one hour after the birth. By then I had given the bath to baby. I thank my neighbour who helped my wife after birth, she was a nice woman.
Both children were born in Netherlands, where house births are a norm. Women are taken to the hospitals only when case cannot be handled a home or if there is any kind of risk.
C-Section can reduce the birth pain but it has its own problems, I wont recommed C-Section but only if its really needed.
Yes first child is more painful then rest/second (our experience only).