Hi Ellie and others, The reason the anes. stayed in her room the "whole time" is to monitor her blood pressure and other vital signs. This isn't "nice," it's following the rules because there are so many things that can go wrong with epidurals. My guess is that something wasn't quite right, or the anes. would have left it for a nurse to monitor. At a military hospital near me, the anes. residents frquently interview (read this as "sell") women at their prenatal clinic checkups. Gag. LInda Smith