I read New Active Birth also as well as articles here on BB. I think the most important things for me were knowing what positions worked and being able to breathe through contractions. I had painful BH so used these to find a position that I liked and that helped, and to practise breathing. To me, this and confidence in your ability to do it are the keys.

Of course my labour was only 3 hours and I didn't have the option of an epi. Also I was already 5cms when I got to hosp and dilating fast, so psycologically I knew I didn't have long to go. But I have to say that I felt so much better after the natural delivery than the first one when I had an epi so I am very glad I did it. It's hard at the time but well worth it afterwards.