I want epidural!!

Assalamualaikum and Hi!

I just came back from routine check-up for week 28. Currently, I'm at the 2-week interval prenatal check-up. And this time I chose University hospital (where I work) for the delivery and check up. This way, it is easier for me to manage work and the pregnancy at the same time.

First labor not a pleasant one for me. I've never experienced such pain. My delivery obviously wasn't the joyous one. I wasn't given any pain-reliever name it gas ke, apetah lagi epidural. So I thought it was my fault for not discussing about that with my doctor prior to the delivery.

This time, I determined to have a painless delivery. So, I've been chanting the word epidural to my husband to make sure that he gets what I want and eventually will understand what it's all about. 

Anyway, finally today we were asked about the birth plan. Before the nurse started talking on this point at all, I immediately cut her and asked about epidural..or any options for painless delivery. Story short, there are no options for painless delivery in Japan. There is epidural, but it is only offered to patients with heart or brain condition. My doctor also tell me the same story and..not trying to give me other options that can address my concern, i.e. pain.

I google a little on the article about epidural in Japan. The story is about the same. I really want to know why they don't practice epidural, from the scientific point of view. So far, what I found was about the healing process of mom with epidural vs epi-free. It seems that epi-free mom heals faster. But, my friends who mostly got their epidural, are really fine...mentally and physically. So, what makes Japan against the wide-spread use of epidural like Malaysia? What is the consideration they take for their policy in this matter? Why Malaysia is so lenient about it? 

Do you guys have any idea?