Just a thought - if an unmedicated mother was uncomfortable in second stage there would be a chance that she would
move - if the baby was getting excessive pressure during birth the mother would be uncomfortable - with an epidural in
place, she would have no way of knowing that she needed to adjust her position to help her baby (and herself).  So
there would be a greater risk of the baby ending up with a headache, or a trapped nerve.  Does this fit what you're
seeing?

Second thought (2 in one day and it's only 8am) - I always heard it said that forceps were more commonly used following
epidural because the mother wouldn't know when to push - perhaps it's because the pelvis is in a particularly
unfavourable position?

Mary Broadfoot, Scotland
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