coffeeaddict, when was the last time you had an epidural? With every epidural that I’ve had, I stayed in a sitting position, was allowed to move around without a problem, could change positions and even get out of bed – there’s a reason they call it a “walking epidural.” Plus, I’ve had epidurals that actually sped things up rather than slowing them down, and I know others who have had that too.
Yes, it has its risks, but I’d be curious to see the number of epidural-related deaths and/or extreme complications (read: paralysis or other permanent conditions, not week-long headaches) compared to the number of deaths and/or extreme complications in home births (or those not attended by a doctor).