OK i had 2 babies my first one i got the epidural but it wore off before i had him and they wouldn't give me any more but this was 6 yrs ago and they have epidural drips now so that doesn't happen but anyway i pushed out a 9 lb 5 oz baby boy with no drugs
and i thought i was gonna DIE!!!!!! my second baby i was 7 cm dialated before i got to the hospital and was in the most excruciating pain i have ever felt (worse than the first delivery)
so they got me in and put that epidural in and i was fine didn't feel a thing so in my opinion YES GET THE EPIDURAL!!!!!!! Besides it helps you rest and be able to keep strength to push trust me it's hard to push if your exhausted from labor pains and it doesn't make you less of a person if you get one i think it makes you smart lol