 Two independent obstetricians blinded to the randomization group and delivery outcome will interpret the FHR tracing for one hour before and after epidural placement. The FHR tracings will be divided into 15 minute epochs and categorized using the standard ACOG categories: I, II and III 24. Additional information including FHR baseline, FHR variability, and the presence or absence of accelerations or decelerations will be recorded for each 15min epoch. Discrepancies between the tracing interpretations will be reviewed by a third obstetrician for development of a consensus interpretation. 