Epidural can provide total pain relief though some women experience patches of numbness. The dosage can be adjusted according to your needs. It usually will slow down labour then you may require synthetic oxytocin to increase the strength of your contraction. While it is pain free for you, it has a long list of side effects and it increased the risk of baby in distress, like passing meconium. It means you may require a surgical birth. Sounds like you have a lot of fears. It is the fear of pain that creates more pain in labour while labour is not necessary painful. http://childbirthodyssey.com/hypnobirthing/stephanie-first-birth/.
You can consider Fear Release sessions with Hypnotherapist or join HypnoBirthing childbirth classes to learn more about childbirth and deep relaxation. Taking prenatal yoga is great too. May I suggest you read this link on 13 Natural Pain Relief Options for Labour. http://childbirthodyssey.com/hypnobirthing/stephanie-first-birth/
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