Hi there,

I'm trying to keep an open mind in terms of pain relief, but hoping I can manage as far as I can without drugs.

If I end up deciding to get an epidural what does this mean for my capacity to push? I want to avoid the episiotomy and definitely avoid forceps.

When I was teenager a family friend had a little boy with cerebral palsy and she put his condition down to a forcep delivery. That has always stuck with me. I'm not sure if there is a relationship with this or not.

What are your experiences with epidural and subsequent intervention?

Thanks