Hi, all! Had a conversation with a mom today who had delivered a 23 week (gestational age) male infant who's twin was delivered 5 days earlier and died. In the course of the conversation, it was mentioned that she had delivered vaginally without an epidural, because, she was told, an epidural would be too risky to use with such a small baby. I found this to be very interesting...if there is such an element of risk involved in using an epidural in a mom delivering a preterm infant, wouldn't one think the HCP's would realize that there's also a risk for the full term infant? These things never cease to amaze me!!!! I'm just frustrated at this situation as this hospital uses this advertising gimmick to expectant parents to experience a "painless" (my quotes) childbirth. Melody Engberg, IBCLC, LLLL Methodist Alliance Health Serv. Memphis, TN