Yes, giving birth is nuts no matter the circumstances - you are right there! I went 24 hours without an epidural then I either needed some rest or I was gonna have to have a C-section so I got the epidural - then pushed for 1.5 hours. But it was worth it :-) I've never heard of broken ribs during birth, but I know someone who almost bled to death if it weren't for her OB getting up on the table with her, with her arm in her uterus to stop the bleeding. Harrowing to say the least!