hi Jayamum, i had my first baby vaginally, without any epidural. I think once you are prepared for the pain, it is quite bearable. For me, the labour was abt 10 hours but the pain only started ard 5 hours later....not v painful..its like stomach cramps...only a bit more intense...but the good tbing is that it will ease....then it comes again..so in between, u do have a little pain-free "break".. the most difficult part for me was the last hour..cos can feel the baby wants to come out but can't push yet cos not fully dilated....its not painful....but more like trying to control....imagine you want to poop and the s*** wants to come out but you hve to hold it in....my gynae did an episotomy but u really dun feel a thing at all....
In terms of recovery from birth, there was zero pain immediately...tho of course, you will feel totally exhausted!!!
My sis did caserean and she said the pain lastd for one month! v painful esp when she breathed hard or coughed...
so, i guess it depends which u are prepared for...pain during delivery or after delivery....
i will definitely opt for the same way again for my #2.