I'm willing to bet that before (I mean two generations ago) women didn't suffer like we do today. They were usually surrounded with help - sometimes family would come and stay with them to take care of the house and cook and what not. If you had people helping you through on a day to day basis, I think it would be easier. If there was someone to pass the baby to when you HAD to get a nap, you would be able to rest and be ready to go again.

Forgive me, I'm feeling nastolgic for the good ole days this morning. Ah, to have family and community be what it once was.