Look, this is not a time to try to be a hero. Get the epidural as soon as you get to the hospital. If you wait until the pain is unendurable and THEN call for for the anesthesiologist, it's going to take 20 minutes for the doctor to show up and another 20 minutes to get the epidural going. When the contractions are coming every minute, I can tell you that this will be the longest 40 minutes of your life! I am amazed by people who say 'do it nature's way'. If you were having an operation, wouldn't you want more pain medication then a leather strap to bite? Once the epidural is in you will enjoy the birth in a whole new way. Congratulations by the way! Is it a boy, girl or surprise?