epidurals

knottie12952122511ff65b

i’m a ftm and i’m trying to decide if I want to get an epidural or not. im absolutely terrified of giving birth, to the point where im having actual nightmares about it, I originally wanted to do a natural birth as i’m terrified of needles and hospitals (I have other reasons as well these are just the biggest contributors to my anxiety) , but the closer I get (due in september) the more I feel like I won’t be able to have the natural birth I originally wanted and i’m feeling absolutely terrified and don’t know what the right choice to make is.

i’ve seen a lot of women say that natural birth is as easy as you make it and panicking makes it harder/makes your body shut down, is this true??? is this another thing I have to worry about