We forget too easily how far we have come in the past 50 years and how tenuous it really is. As we increase our reliance on a safe environment, we expose ourselves more and more. For example, a caesarean needs experienced doctors and nurses, electricity, sterilised equipment, a safe and clean environment, help and time to recover. Currently 1 in 5 babies are born by caesarean and some say that all babies should be born that way. If our society ever comes under threat and our safe environment disappears, and we have allowed ourselves to lose the ability to give birth and assist births naturally, we really will be in trouble.