Want a natural birth but worried

This whole pregnancy I have wanted to try to have a non medicated, vaginal birth. But today I’ve been talking to my friend that just recently had her baby (she ended up having a c section but she labored at home for almost 12 hours) and she’s advised me that labor is the worst thing to ever experience... this is my first so I have absolutely no idea what to expect.. My birthing center doesn’t offer epidural so that’s kind of out of the question anyways (unless I decide I wanna transfer to a hospital and end up paying more, which hopefully it won’t come to that)

I’m just looking for honest advice/experiences/stories from moms that have had a non medicated vaginal birth.