@voice_itw Here’s the secret; those women don’t get a medal or some sort of cash prize for doing it without meds. If people want to do it for personal reasons then cool, I am so supportive of that! But our births aren’t being scored and there’s no reasons to worry about how others did it.
It sounds like you made a great choice for you and your baby, since you were able to get on the ball you didn’t have to go through manipulation or surgery, and you were able to be present for more of the birth rather than focusing on your pain. We wear our strength in different ways. My wife needed an epidural as soon as possible, and she is one of the coolest, most powerful people I know. I’ll use an epidural when I carry, because despite having a super high pain tolerance, I want to be able to remember the experience as much as possible.
You did the right thing. You’re awesome. If you have another baby, get an epidural then, too.