Why did I write my birth story?

In 2010 I experienced an incredibly empowering and wonderful moment. To use a running analogy, I conquered my own 'Heartbreak Hill' when I gave birth to my fourth child - the old fashioned way. 

After three fairly difficult previous births, this one didn't happen this way just by chance or by accident. It took a lot of hard work - emotional, spiritual and physical. It took learning of new information, new skills and how to do a lot of things differently.

The story could turn into quite a tome, so I've divided it up into different sections.