I haven't got to labour just yet, but the braxton hicks I've had so far have been way worse than any period pain I've had (even really bad cycles). Last night I was either having BH every hour or it could have been pre labour (won't know unless I go into actual labour soon) and it was very painful so I know there's no way I'll be going drug free through this birth. Some women get BH for months before giving birth, others don't feel them at all. It's luck of the draw. I've probably had 3 or 4 episodes of them in the third tri (so far). As for an epidural your hospital may have rules about that like mine does - they will only give it to you after you've tried the other drugs first and they feel you really need it. Epidurals can affect your ability to push and can actually prolong labour and they don't work for all women (pretty rare apparently, but I was shocked to learn this one as I was relying on it).
Hi

Satya: Where are you booked to have your bub? As i know that if a pt wants pain relief or a pain free birth they should be able to recieve that no matter what!!! Epidurals can be tailored to suit the situation and most of them .... you can feel the pressure still but no pain and you can even still feel the bub move into the birth canal. (i know that one as i had an epi with my first son and i felt him move into the birthcanal with the epi drugs on board. The only thing i can think of and i would be apalled at my health care colleagues if this was the case..... if pts having an epidural means that the pt need to be more closely monitored more so than with giving a pt an IM pethidine injection, meaning the midwifes have to do more obs on you as well as checking the fetus heart rate etc etc. But if i were you Satya if you want a epidural just demand one and/or tell you OB before hand.

Cheers Ainsley

I hope that helps