Re: epidural
My first delivery was without an epidural. The reason was that I got to the hospital real late. There was no time.
AT the second one, I decided to get an epidural but by the time the people came in to give it to me, I was really ready and things didn't work our right. They did give it to me but it caused more stress then good.
Personally, I preferred my first experience, but that's just me. People love the effects of an epidural. I guess my timings weren't right.