feire,
i hav 2 frens who had natural without epidural.. both told me pain until want to die..
but both managed to persist all the way lor..
think it depends on individual bah.. one of them almost gave up.. she din wait until 10cm dilation.. she had assisted delivery at 9.5cm dilation with vacuum suction.
for me, i hoping to deliver without epidural.. but will leave the option open.. depends on my pain tolerance.. if i'm taking it well, will all the way without epidural lor.. if i can't cope even with the contraction at the beginning, will opt for epidural lor..
else later no energy to push.. 
i hav 2 frens who had natural without epidural.. both told me pain until want to die..
for me, i hoping to deliver without epidural.. but will leave the option open.. depends on my pain tolerance.. if i'm taking it well, will all the way without epidural lor.. if i can't cope even with the contraction at the beginning, will opt for epidural lor..