Fantastic thread! I have loved reading everyone's suggestions (especially the hanging/suspension one - lol I can't wait to try that out next time!!)

I just wanted to agree with the comment that a natural birth is very empowering. It sounds like something you expect to see on a natural birth documentary or something but it is sooo true! I had DD without pain relief (well, I did try the gas but only for 5 minutes or so) and I look back on my birth experience and get really excited to do it again. When we have another baby, I will be looking forward to the birth experience. So it's not something to be afrad of. Yes, it hurts - A LOT! But you will be amazed at your ability to cope. It is truly the most awesome experience when you are just listening to your body and your body takes over and knows what to do. I have never felt stronger than I did during birth.
I know a woman with 4 children who had panic attacks and felt naseous when she thought of the upcoming birth for her 2nd, 3rd and 4th babies and I think that is a really awful side effect of the 'managed' birth epidemic.

Of course, the pain relief options are fantastic if you need them. If I were you, I would prioritise the pain relief available in the order you would try them. Then if you find you don't cope, you can move through the options in the order you would like to rather than having a particular option forced upon you.