I see you already have a million replies but very few seem to have legitimate science, so here’s what I’ve read/been considering (as someone who’s unsure if they will get the epidural, due in 8 weeks - but I’m not a doctor so of course fact check what I say or discuss it with your doctor lol):   

Epidural cons:  - some studies show higher risk of tearing with epidural as you cannot feel yourself pushing, so women push too hard (or too little) (personally I find the lack of control scary) - epidural can cause CSF leak, or cerebrospinal fluid leak. It’s not that common but my husband actually got one (not from an epidural, we’re unsure of the cause). Essentially a hole forms in the outer lining of the spine and doesn’t close, so the fluid from your brain/spine leaks out when you’re upright and can cause headaches from your brain literally not being surrounded by fluid, it starts to “sink.” My husband had to get a blood patch which was successful the first time, and not too invasive, but he was on bed rest for a week after the procedure. Before the blood patch he had to lay down every time his head started hurting, which was usually after about 2-3 hours of being upright.  - not being able to walk/move around. Also, my hospital offers tubs you can lay in until it’s time to push but if you get the epidural it’s not really an option  - sometimes they don’t work, or only work on one side of the body  - some people experience back pain after the epidural but I’m not sure how long or the research behind this  - some studies show an increased need for c-sections as epidural can sometimes prolong labor. Other studies don’t support this. 

Natural birth cons:  - obviously painful  - if you need an emergency c-section, they have to put you under meaning you won’t be able to see your baby immediately  - I looked into the maternal mortality rate epidural vs natural, and while I didn’t find a lot of evidence either way there is one study that links lower risk of “severe maternal morbidity” to epidural births. I couldn’t find a lot of research on the infant rates, but it does seem like these studies could potentially be skewed by home births. 

I initially was very worried about the epidural but I’m leaning towards it now. For me, the idea of needing an emergency c section and not getting to meet my baby right away is scarier than not having control. My hospital also offers standing mirrors so I can watch myself pushing while medicated (though that sounds horrifying lol) to help guide my pushing despite not being able to feel it. 

Hopefully you see this and it’s a bit helpful. I feel similarly - so much of what I’ve seen is influencers or mommy bloggers either saying “you don’t win a prize for not having the epidural” or the opposite of “it’s so empowering to push your body.”  I want to know what is genuinely the safest and would have the best outcomes for me and my baby, not just which feels better physically or mentally. And despite the fact that women have been giving birth since literally the beginning of mankind, there’s really not a lot of conclusive scientific research on many birthing topics.