I'm not saying epidurals are evil and should be banned, and women should labour in pain at all costs. Sometimes you just need it - like in Sky's case to have a break. I also have a friend who would not progress beyond 3cm until they put epidural in - she was fully dilated within half an hour! She simply wasn't able to relax before that.
All I wanted to say is that MWs try to dissuade from having an epi not because they are heartless bitches. And probably not because they are trying to save NHS money either. They know it's an intervention and could lead to more interventions. Because they see this every day. So they are trying to act in the best interests of mum and baby.
Of course it sometimes goes a bit too far. But the line between encouraging to have a natural delivery and pushing it as an absolute must is very fine. At the end of the day, they are humans, probably with their own biases and opinions too. Doesn't make it easier if you have a traumatic birth though.
I think the issue here is when women go into labour expecting drugs straight away. Yes, each to their own and it's their choice. But this has to be an informed choice. And I've seen threads on here when someone goes to hospital knowing they'll get drugs but then epi fails. And G&A is taken away at the pushing stage. And they are asking why. Doesn't look like they've done their research.
And I do think you should have a go drugs free first and see how you manage first. Tooth ache comparison simply doesn't work here. Because pain in labour is telling you something is happening - like tooth ache - but it is also telling you what to do. What is the optimal position, when to push. Of course you should have an epi if you feel you can't cope anymore.
If I was 5cm instead of 9 when they examined me I would have asked for one, because I felt that I couldn't cope anymore. Luckily for me it was a sign that the end is in sight.
It doesn't make you a hero if you labour drugs free. It doesn't make you less of a mum if you have an epi, forceps, CS, etc. The ultimate aim is for mum and baby to be safe and healthy. How you get to the other side doesn't matter that much. But we all want smooth and straightforward labours, don't we? IMO doing your research and be open minded about it is part of the success.
Sorry that was long. I hope you all have an exciting weekend ahead.