With my first baby I had a completely drug free birth, she was in a posterior position and i had a very hard back labour, I was afraid of having anything that would make me feel sick on top of the back pain so continued on. I have to say it fightened me so much that in my second pregnancy I asked for a C-section. We agreed to compromise and have an epidural instead, as it turned out my waters broke and I did'nt go into labour by myself, my baby ended up in distress and a C-section was needed. 3rd baby, I laboured for 10 hours by myslef before requesting an epidural, I had read a lot about them and was fortunate to have a block where i could still move my legs, which made me feel a lot more comfortable I laboured for 3 more hours before my doc decided to break my waters which showed the baby was in distress I was 8 cm dialated and was'nt progressing, I don't conribute this to my epidural I consider my baby was to big and stuck at nearly 10 pounds. When she was delivered by c-section an hour later she had a definate groove around her head that disappeared after a few days where she had been stuck. I am pregnant with baby no 4 I am not electing to have a c-section although I have been encourged to, not only be medical persons. I am going to have another go myself and if I feel I am beginning to have trouble coping will request and epi then. I am hoping I don't need one, but am openminded about everything at this point. Certainly a block where you still have some control is preferrable. If they let it wear off in time for pushing the baby out, it could be a good option, certainly a labour where you are out of control and frightened in lots of pain is not going to help with birthing your baby, so if relief is needed I say take it.
Good luck with all your reading and I hope you make the decision that is right for you.