Epidural

So I'm looking for some input about this. I'm nearly postitive that I am going to get an epidural. However, I wonder if preparing as if I am planning on going natural would also be a good idea. Really, I just want to walk into Labor open minded, because really, I have no idea what it will be like, or how bad it really is going to be. If it's bad at all. Or it could be worse than I ever imagined. Working at a Maternity store has helped and made a lot of this fear worse. Most of the first time moms are scared to death and excited. It's the 3rd and 4th time moms that freak me out. When I ask them if it's a peice of cake by this time, they usually explain that they are just as scared if not more scared than before. It's the look in their eyes that's unsettling. Like statistically they survived the first 3 or 4, but this is going to be the one that kills them. Terrifying. My other concern-if I do all of the preparation (read all the literature, take the classes, etc) to go natural, I am afraid it will be a let down when I decide I want an epidural. Just what I have started reading so far is very brainwashing-that you ARE a let down if you use pain meds. How does one prepare for a marathon that technically they can bail out of, or at least not feel half way through? Because I really feel a need to prep for the marathon...