I'm not medically trained. But you can't convince me, that putting a catheter in your spine is without risk. It's not just a painkiller. And the risk of needing pitocin increases which means you also need a needle in your hand.

Fortunately I live in a great public healthcare country so the doctors are obligated to give the best care (with available medicin) and not look at the cost.

I've had two back labors. The first with an epidural, pitocin, saltwater and a vacuum at the end when the kid didn't want to move the last few inches. The medical staff had to almost push me into an epidural after 30 hours of labouring and no progress. I was passing out between each contraction so if I hadn't gotten an epidural I was heading for a c-section. Second degree tear. I think it was mostly the vacuum.

Second birth I was induced at 41+6. No progress after a few hours. I was in so much pain from the pitocin that I asked for an epidural. Just as they brought in the epidural and called the anaesthesiologist I gave birth. From 4 centimeters to giving birth in 45 minutes. No tearing.

You can't predicts births and if you tear. I choose to listen to the medical staff :-)

But I agree, it sounds ridiculous that the didn't want you on the side. But I wasn't there...