I'm gonna try with all my might to do it without, but if I need one then I won't hold it against myself
But I'll only have a walking epidural just to take the edge off

It's not being torn apart, comments like yours make people scared lol sorry i know you may not have ment it but your not torn apart at all and the doctor that said that is an idiot. plenty of peeps give birth and manage just fine.
A doctor should be encouraging you & being positive not scaring the sh*t out of you!

I am hoping for a VBAC this time and my birth plan hasn't really changed much from last time round - I'd ideally like a waterbirth and as little pain relief as I can manage - but the big difference this time is I've already been through it once and am going in with eyes wide open about just how bad it can get.

Last time round I got to day 4 with just co-codamol and then eventually some gas and air when we went into hospital - I did ask for an epidural because I was just knackered by then and fed up of being in pain and couldn't take it any more, and was refused (which no-one warned me about - they can refuse you even if you want one!!) because I had a high temperature and was showing signs of infection. I was then also refused pethidine and the closest I got to the pool I'd wanted was being wheeled past the room on the way to theatre lol.

The spinal block going in just before the section was the biggest relief I have ever felt in my life - up until that point I genuinely believed I was going to die from the pain. It was heaven to be numb - not being able to move my legs for a few hours afterwards was annoying but a very small price to pay, and I will have no hesitation about requesting an epidural this time round should it get as bad as last time (which I'm hoping it won't - I'd like my lovely, serene waterbirth, please!)

I wont be having an epidural. I managed fine last two times on diamorphine and pethidine - low doses. It took the edge off the pain but was manageable so I could still feel and respond. I know that epidurals increase the likelihood of needing intervention such as forceps, and I don't want that. It can also slow down the progression of the labour.

Labour does hurt, but there are many ways of controlling the pain which don't mean you have to have a total spinal block. I would certainly recommend trying other methods before opting for the epidural. It's kind of one extreme to the other really.

I had an epidural with my first and none with my second or third because labor was so fast with them i had no time, but if its an option I will be having one this time around. we all have different wants and needs, some woman can do it naturally some can not...you have to find what works for you...and epidural works for me lol

I want the epidural.
I've read too many birth stories of women going at it natural and just being SO worn out by the time it was time to push.
Not saying that's how it is every time, but I don't want that to be me.
I want to be able to rest if I need to and to enjoy my baby without feeling exhausted when he/she arrives (hopefully).
My view on it is.. if I don't have to be in pain, then I'm not going to be.
I would like to get the walking epi if it's available but really don't have a problem if I'm stuck on the bed.

I think it's just one of those things, you have to wait until you're at that point and go on your doctors advice and your own decision...it's difficult to make a decision until it's happening sometimes. I've had one with and one without, and for me the one without was quicker and my recovery was easier.

Totally agree.

I'm not planning on having one, but I'm not making any promises as if the pain is just too much then I will have to reconsider.

I hate the feeling of being numb (I know that's weird lol). When I have fillings at the dentist I have them without an injection and that to me is sooo much better than having the injection. Yes it's quite painful, but I'd choose that over that horrible numb mouth feeling any day.

Please look at your options because it is good to be informed on everything.

Although I have been planning on having a drug free birth I still attended a free class the hospital offered on epidurals and other medication options. It was very informative. I learned about all the pros, side effects, when I should really get them, and how they are given. I feel better now that I know what each thing can do as I feel I can make a more informed decision if I feel like I need to.