"Gilbey and Susie" wrote in message
...
my dr and also the nurse at my birthing class both said that it will not
numb me, i will still have my motor skills and i can walk around and will
be
able to push. it only takes away the pain but it doesn't take away any
pain
caused by the head crowning etc..


Someone can correct me if I'm wrong, but I didn't think epidurals "took
away" the crowning pain (not sure what you mean bye the "etc" part). At
least they didn't for the two epidural births that I have witnessed. Sorry
to be the bearer of bad news!

On the other hand, since you seem interested in having a "pain free" labor
and birth, you might want to consider that even epidurals and other
analgesics don't always work (or don't work as well as you would like), and
you may want to have a Plan B for dealing with pain (relaxation methods &
techniques). Just a suggestion, not meant to impose.

--Jodi