Is there anything authentically reported from the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, concerning the reward for childbirth? And does receiving a local anesthetic (epidural) prevent one from attaining the reward for childbirth?

A woman endures severe pain during childbirth, and the Quran alludes to this by Allah's saying: ﴿His mother carried him with hardship and gave birth to him with hardship﴾. This does not preclude taking measures to alleviate these pains, for the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, "was never given a choice between two matters except that he chose the easier of them, as long as it was not a sin." A Muslim strives to remove harm from himself. If Allah decrees hardship for him for which he finds no way out, then patience becomes obligatory. There is no reward in intentionally enduring hardship; rather, one is rewarded if they are compelled to it. Therefore, there is no blame upon a woman for taking what alleviates her childbirth pains. This is closer to the objectives of Islamic law, which are alleviation and facilitation. As for the reward, it is with Allah Almighty.