I was hoping to keep the birthing process as natural as possible, but was overwhelmed with how quickly the contractions came on after I was induced wth a drip, and so asked for an epidural. For me, the epidural was superb and made the labour pleasant and relaxing, and I will definitely ask for an epidural next time.

Having said that, I know people who have gone without pain relief - one used just a TENS machine, and she found her experience great and swore by the TENS machine.