I know what you are saying but I don't think it means that.
Everyone has different labour experiences and different pain reactions.
I think if someone feels they were pushed to a certain point where an epidural would have been welcomed, but they resisted because not having an epidural was important to them, well I think they have the right to feel proud of themselves. But I don't think that can then be directed back at you saying you should feel bad or guilty cos you did.
I wanted a birth without pain killers. I ended up having gas. I am still proud of myself because I know that I really couldnt have gotten through without it.
But it totally depends not only on the circumstances and the pain threshold but also the mothers expectations of the birth and what is going to happen. Some people are very keen to have an epidural from the outset, some try to stay away. Some want to stay away but circumstances push things a different way.
So I do think she has the right to be proud of herself but I dont think in any way that her being proud can reflect that you shouldnt be proud of how you did in birth as well.