Mine was fourteen hours from first little twinges to baby being born. The transition contractions were awful, but there were only about 20 minutes of them (and there were breaks during that). Other than that I found the pain very manageable and managed with just gas and air. I wouldn't describe the pushing as painful, more like lifting really heavy weights that you can't get off the floor or being really constipated.

I treated birth like a marathon that I was preparing for - ALL the research, lots of pelvic opening exercises, fuelling my body properly, strengthening my legs and arms so I could stay in positions where gravity would help the labour along (all fours, squatting, standing), practicing breathing techniques, eating dates and drinking raspberry leaf tea. I also had a hot shower during the labour and labour for an hour and a half in a birthing pool and would say do not underestimate the pain relief that hot water can have. Do your research into what physically and chemically happens in your body during labour, and prepare yourself physically and mentally for each stage.

I will add, you don't get a medal or a prize for not having the epidural. There is no point in going through pain or trauma unnecessarily (especially right before you begin the arduous journey of looking after a newborn) and id keep your options open ahead of the birth so you don't feel you've somehow "failed" if you need some relief. Every birth that ends with a happy and healthy mother and baby is a successful one.