does epidural during childbirth have the same effect of general anesthesia?

No, mine didn't. I got one and was taken back for the c-section. I was fully conscious during the delivery and my husband was right beside me. He got to hold our daughter before I did. Lucky him. I was cleaned up and sewn shut and taken back to recovery and a couple hours later after I got taken to my real room, I was brought my DD. No memory problems and no irritibility.