Interestingly, a 2008 British study found that almost half of pregnant women who request a Caesarean section do so because they have a genuine fear of childbirth. In fact, it’s estimated that one in seven women may be tokophobic. It’s thanks to all those damned horror stories from our dear, beloved friends and families. You know the ones. Your mother insists that her labour lasted 78 hours and that the resulting baby was so big, the doctors christened it Moby Dick and sent in a Japanese whaling fleet.

In suburban Kent, the owners of the Chislehurst Caves recognised their potential as communal shelters. Nottingham people used the caves under the castle. Retrospect has rosied the accounts of shelter life.

Rebeca is busy with the children, who are busy getting into mischief. The baby runs her ragged.

to wail one's death