If you’re choosing/chose not to opt for an epidural (or at least not right away) what was your reasoning?

I’m 33 weeks pregnant and working on getting a birth plan in place. My fiancé and I took a childbirth class a few weeks ago which gave me a brief understanding of different options, but this is my first child so I really have no idea what to expect. At this point, I’ve been planning not to get an epidural. I’m not against getting one (and am aware if I wait and decide in labor that I want one it could take hours) but I kind of want to give myself a chance to experience and see what I can handle. I think I handle pain fairly well, but I’ve never been in a situation before with so much pain for an extended period of time, so I really don’t know how I’ll respond. With an epidural, I know a few people who loved it, but know a few others who it either did nothing for, or they’ve had lasting side effects (back pain) even years after their kids. I also don’t like the idea of not being able to move or being trapped in my bed, and I’d also heard if the epidural doesn’t work the doctor may be more prone to opt for a c-section, all of which were reasons I was going to at least see how it went without an epidural.

However I mentioned this to my fiancé, and he was like “so you’re basically choosing to be in that much pain, that’s stupid. Why would you do that to yourself when the epidural makes it so much easier?” None of my reasons seemed to register with him.

Now I’m starting to wonder if maybe I am stupid for not just getting the epidural. If you chose not to get one, what were your reasons? If you did get one, how was your experience?

Edit: my doctor had originally mentioned we may need to induce early as my bump was measuring small, however after the ultrasound they determined that likely won’t be necessary as the baby is growing perfectly so fingers crossed I’ll be all set to go into labor naturally!