I was interested to hear Linda Smith's post on epidurals. "We" may be starting to use walking epidurals in our hospital. They're even talking about hep locks instead of IVs. I am really interested in a comparison of walking epidurals and standard epidurals. I sort of figured that a walking epidural when a woman is a fingertip and -3 would be better than a standard epidural. After all, at least she would be more free to change positions and hopefully assume one that would make a vaginal birth more likely. Am I right or not? Does anyone have RESEARCH on suck problems and epidurals? Is anyone planning on doing some? I would like to see an emphasis on how to do research at ILCA and other breastfeeding seminars. I am fully aware that "standard of community" and pragmatic concerns also affect practice, but some good research certainly wouldn't hurt. As a former L&D nurse and childbirth educator, these issues really do concern me. My observations and experiences agree with what you are saying 100%, but I don't have PROOF. Bonnie