Insurance won't cover an epidural. Any suggestions for pain relief?

I had my first son naturally, but not because I planned it or anything. It just happened that way and I somehow found the inner strength to make it through. I remember that when the lighter contractions hit I was able to take a warm/hot shower, kneeling over a chair because you won't want to stand a whole lot. Then when the heat became ineffective, I got out and spent time rocking around on a birthing ball and on all fours. I will admit, when the contractions got harder, I panicked. I was scared about how long it would go on for, how much more it could hurt, etc. This is where I had a half dosage of Phentenol. This is an injection drug that acts like a very strong Tylenol. Phentenol was great not because it took away all the pain (it only lasted 45 minutes anyhow), but because it calmed me down and allowed me to "get in the zone." Once you are "in the zone" time flies and you are suddenly pushing, which brings serious and instant relief. You can make it through the pain, women have been doing it for thousands of years, but it's getting through the panic that is hard. You can do this. Your body was built for this. :)