I work in a hospital where we probably have an 85% epidural rate. Most of the patients say that getting the IV was worse (the numbing medication placed in your back before placing the epidural dosen't hurt as badly as digging around with an IV needle) and say it was the best decision they made. 90%+ can still move their legs -- not enough to walk around -- and have no problem feeling pressure in their bottoms to know when to push and push well. I think it depends on who's doing the epidural. Where I work, we have 7 extremely experienced anesthesiologists placing epidurals; if there is an anesthesia residency program at the hospital you deliver at, you could potentially have someone who doesn't really know what they're doing yet placing your epidural. That person may have trouble placing it and it may not work well. If you are truly wanting to have a natural delivery, then you just have to put your mind to it and do it! I always say going natural is like running a marathon -- no one wants to run 26 miles but they get through it because it's all a mind game. I will say that my patients who have done the best with coping with pain are the ones who use hypnobirthing -- best natural method out there. If there aren't classes in your area, look online for stuff to learn on your own at home. I also think you shouldn't be induced, unless it's medically necessary, of course. If you go into labor on your own, baby is more likely to facing the correct way (not back-to-back), things are more likely to progress without interventions (although I definitely recommend breaking the waters and holding off on pitocin if things slow down), and you're more likely to already be dialated somewhat when labor starts. Good luck -- you can do it the natural route (but if you change your mind and get an epidural, you still get a happy healthy baby in the end)!
