I had an epidural with my first and it didn't bloody work, arghhhhhhhhh (Be prepared 5% of women it doesn't work for - according to my anaethatist). They had gave me the drip to speed up my contractions as it was a very long labour 2 and a half days and established for 23 and 3 quarter hours....They then gave me diamorphine and I was in heaven, along with the aid of gas and air. I was ripped to bits
I couldn't push him out, he was stuck there in the birth canal for 1 and 3 quarter hours, but I bloody pushed him out when I seen the forceps coming towards me!) PHEW!!!!
After this experience I opted for the diamorphine and gas and air straight away with my other 2, as I knew this worked well for me. You still feel the pain, it just takes the edge off it. Having any form of drugs slows down the labour, BUT in my opinion "f**k natural, I want drugs!!" You get no prizes for putting up with the pain.
Some women are able to cope and deliver naturally as they dilate quickly and have shorter labours, some of us dilate slowly. You don't know what "you do" until you experience it, so don't be dissappointed if you have to change your birth plan when in labour, after all drugs or no drugs you have still gave birth and done extremely well. You're not a failure if you have to be supported by prescribed drugs.
I've only ever been in labour in my body, so I don't know if my pain is the same as someone elses, it may be that my pain threshold is lower than someone elses? I just know I NEED DRUGS!!!!!
Although I'm not a complete wuss, I wait until I'm around 6cm dilated, lol.