Childbirth may be a natural process but then sadly so is death in childbirth for mum, baby or both............ why risk it!!!!!!!!!!!
Take what they offer and if the pain relief helps you to enjoy (can't think of a better word) the birth of your child then why not.

My son took 19 hours - with a few hours in the middle where everything stopped - but they had to speed it up again because my waters had broken, the delay meant the epidural had worn off and at one point I just wanted it over with (son had moved and trapped nerve in my leg and nothing stopped the pain) then ended up using a ventouse but if that hadn't worked it meant a c section because I was slow to dilate and it was risking son becoming distressed.

My friend had had a c-section for her first because of complications with the baby and the second was delivered the same way - just incase, but when her daughter was born she was delivered normally and at the time Cora said she was so glad she'd had that experience.

I've always thought that a healthy mum and baby are the most important thing and the rest is not really important in the long run because you have your lovely children.

Jan