Epidural

 First tehy ask you your medical history - what meds, allergies and surgeries, or problems like sleep apnea you have, or even piercings

once in active labor - no eating

you get one as soon as you are in labor and ask for one you get an epidural

epidural is just an opening through which the pain meds are supplied

the epidural for c-section is different from the one discussed here

epidural makes it more likely that your doc uses forceps or other tools

epidural is given in between nerves and spinal card in the liquid area and may need to be adjusted if the effect is patchy

epidural can also be combined with oxytocin for inducing or even for c-section epidural

spinal block lasts 90 mins. won't numb entire bottom

headache or itching may be possible - 

piss before epidural, eat before epdiural, or bed pan

moving around should be possible.

risks

spinal headache - weeks , sometimes months when hole is made in sac

nerve injury

life threatening - numb and weak

may not reduce pain

alternate to epidural - pudental block around vagina

also opioid - can make both drowsy - can get into milk

laughing gas - less anxious