I was induced with my first
using cervadil (the IV medication
is Pitocin, and there
is also a gel but I can't remember what it's called). It was less than 24 hours total for me; I went in at 9 pm (no sign of labor - I was overdue) on a Monday, and my daughter was born at 7:09 pm Tuesday. I did not get the epidural and I did deliver vaginally. It definitely hurt, but I haven't done a fully natural birth (yet!) so I can't say if it really is worse.