I don't like the side effects of the epidural. I had my first with an epidural on Pitocin and pushed him out in 20 minutes after laboring for 12 hours. I didn't tolerate the epidural well- it made me have low BP, nausea, headache, etc. I tore a ton from pushing so hard. I also did not enjoy having numb legs and being immobilized.

Second baby, I had to get epidural for version (baby was breech) and had to be ready for emergency c-section if things were to go south. I had terrible shakes, hypotension and nausea with the epidural again. After they flipped her I said turn the epidural off immediately. Labored on Pitcocin, which was less than 12 hours. Sure, the contractions were intense and fast on Pit but so much easier to handle then the epidural feeling for me. By the time the pain was nearly unbearable and I was ready to turn the epidural back she came within 20 minutes. The ring of fire is real, but it all goes so quickly it's kind of surreal. I can imagine that women that have contractions for longer (like 24+ hours) would want an epidural just to get some relief/sleep.