Well, I agree that all women can give birth without an epidural. Epidural is simply the pain relief, the baby will come out whether you are coping with your reasonable labour pains or your 5 days of back-to-back labour and passing out from pain. True C-sections being an exception of course (ie. transverse baby). Whether or not a woman actually chooses to endure such a labour or not, is simply her business and between her and her medical doctor.
I had an epidural on the 2nd day of labour, after tearing an abdominal muscle and 26 hours of contractions (on pitocin for infection), and I kept passing out on the birthing ball, there comes a point where women should not have to be made to feel guilty for choosing pain relief. There's a difference between advising someone of the risks and empowering them - and trying to instill guilt for not doing things the natural way. I think that quote really skirts that division.
Would I have preferred to do it without an epidural? Of course, or I wouldn't have done 26 hours on pitocin in the first place. I think there is a time and a place for epidurals. And even if it's not what I deem to be "the time and place" (ie. first time mother gets one before the first contraction because she simply doesn't want to feel the pain), then how on earth is that any of my business anyways. The only thing I wish, is that women were more informed of the risks before they make their decision.
