Where Mothers Are Born

I read two related articles in the newspaper today. The topic is something that doesn't concern me now - childbirth.

One article said that in the U.S and U.K more women now want a choice of having their baby at their homes with the help of midwives and not at hospitals.
Whereas the other article on page 1 of the supplement carried the headline 'Where mothers are born'. It was about the new trend of super specialty hospitals in India that offer specialised pre and ante natal care. They are called 'The Nest' or something. They provide a five-star ambience and personalised care for the mother and the newborn, all of course at a steep price.

I wonder why having children is now made such a big deal? I mean earlier having children was a such a regular affair. It happened at homes with the help of midwives minus the hospital smell.
I remember my uncle (father's cousin) telling me that our ancestral house had a 'Bananthi koni' or 'room for the new mothers' and that almost always occupied. My paternal grandfather had 3 sisters and each of the sisters had about 10 children each. My paternal grandparents had 11 children.

The kids were so many and parents hardly gave them 'quality' time as the new age parenting requires, yet they all turned out to be fine.

Speaking of parenting advice, I remember reading a quote in the Readers Digest, that said, 'Don't worry that your children aren't listening to you. Worry that they are always watching you.'

My mother is the ideal parent then because she doesn't talk much or preach. 'Lead by Example' seems to be her motto.