My uncle died of meningitis and my mother, who rarely worried about much, was terrified of the disease. My siblings and I knew to never, ever say our necks hurt. If you said that it was off to the ER with you.

I had midwives deliver my children because I liked their philosophy of non-interference unless necessary. However I saw midwives who worked in a hospital setting. Just in case, there was a NICU and all the high tech services a person could want.