Epidural VS Natural

I've been really researching my birthing options. (This is my first so obviously I'm freaking out.) I want to avoid a c-section completely unless it's truly necessary for the health of my baby. I've read about two types of epidural. One being a regular epidural and the other a walking epidural. I was wondering what everyone's opinion on the topic is/what you're personally doing. I've been told by several people I won't be able to do a natural birth because they don't believe my body can handle it (I'm 5'2 and started out 122 pounds.) So I'm getting no support on natural birth which is really what I want to do.