Do epidurals during labor hurt a lot? or do they numb you first? has an epidural ever paralyzed someone?

Local anesthetic is usually injected before the epidural injection to numb the area and lessen the pain. Your doctor should explain any potential side effects, to you. Paralysis is very rare, but can occur from a hematoma (build-up of blood); hematomas are reported to occur in 0.0004–0.03% of cases. https://pain.ucsf.edu/neuraxial-anesthesia/epidural-anesthesia-complications-and-side-effects

Complications from epidural injections into the lumbosacral area are very rare. In a very busy practice of over 50 years with 3 partners, I encountered solely ONE case of paralytic complications!

An epidural helps to relieve pain during labor; you may even be able to sleep a bit. Complications include numbness and tingling down the leg, but these sensations resolve on their own.