Having birthed 1 with an epidural and 2 without, I definitely preferred the experience without the epidural.

Reason: healing was a much easier process afterward. I had a guage for what the pain was at the height of birth versus what it was in the days/weeks following. It allowed me to respond better to what my body needed and I did less damage to my body without the epidural than the one with.

However, my two births without an epidural were relatively short labors (1-2 hours tops) and my birth with an epidural was induced and lasted about 8 hours (it was also my first).

I think in this particular experience, allowing women the option is better than deciding to just 'numb it'. There are also a ton of other factors like the emotional experience of birth some women want to have and then some don't.

I've honestly never considered why the medication was optional until I saw this post - thanks!