When I was trying to get pg with DD, I had a miscarriage at 15 weeks. I had it at home, with no medical care and no preparation that it could feel like anything more than "bad menstrual cramps" (fricking moron midwife), and it was the worst, most painful experience of my life thus far. When I got pg with my DD, I knew that experience would stick with me, and so did some research on epidurals(as well as other drugs- the epidural is the only one I'd be willing to get) in addition to working on natural pain management techniques. I pretty much expected to get the epidural, but thought you never can tell, I'd see what happens. But once labor got intense and I started having flashbacks, I stalled out, terrified and out of my head, so I got the epidural, which ramped things right back up, and my 9.5 DD practically slid out soon after. I ended up making the same decision with my son, though not becaues of flashbacks, but rather that I felt the epidural was a good choice given what I knew about it and the amount of pain I was in. I don't know what choice I'll make with my third. I'm contemplating going without it, but I've got several months to decide still.
I'm not positive why you asked- if it's just because you think it's awful anyone would ever want an epidural or want to vent about the people who do, I'm sorry to have replied. I certainly have that instinct on other topics, and see that MDC should be a safe space for that kind of thing. But for me (and I think this is true for a lot of people, though not everyone), it's not really about fear, and it's not really about pain tolerance. I have a very high pain tolerance- I'm a marathon runner and long distance swimmer, and all around tough person. But I think the benefits to an epidural free birth are not significant enough to warrant my going through that pain. I understand that that is NOT what MDC condones, and I completely respect that and have no desire to change anyone's mind or debate in any way. But I just wanted to tell you that as likely as not she just disagrees with you- it's not really always that people need to be educated out of their misinformation and irrational fears.
HTH, sorry again if it's misplaced.