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I had an unmedicated birth with my son in a hospital.  I intended to have an unmedicated birth but I'll admit that I asked for an epidural (at 6cm) but by the time I was wheeled into my room less than 30 minutes later, it was already too late as I was fully dialated so I ended up with my original intent but not by my own mental willpower (pretty fast L&D with what felt like no breaks in contractions at all).

I stayed at home the majority of my labor (4 of the <6 hours) and spent a lot of time in a hot shower.  I tried laying down in the tub/shower at one point but it was way too uncomfortable for me.  Baby had been at a -1 station for weeks so anything on my back was out of the question and our bathtub wasn't big enough to be on my side in.  When I was out of the shower I preferred to lay still on my side and just breathe.  I didn't like walking around or sitting on a birthing ball at all (I suspect because baby was so low already that the pressure was really uncomfortable).  We had taken a 1/2-day class on prepared childbirth that was focused on unmedicated birth and most of those techniques just didn't do it for me as I didn't want to move around or be touched. 

Just having DH quietly near me and available was helpful to me.  I didn't want a doula or anyone else, just DH, so that is what we did.  I don't like people telling me what to do so I knew I wouldn't necessarily appreciate the advice a doula might give me.  Also, I read Ina May's Guide to Childbirth and would recommend it.

@bells:  I think it depends on each person but in general I'd say it is just different.  The contractions were intense because I was mentally ready for the small breaks between them (10-30 seconds), but that didn't seem to happen for me so I gave in and requested the epidural because it was just constant pain.  I think if I had gotten the small breaks between contractions I may have been able to not request the epidural but who knows.  The painful part of pushing for me was tearing (I had a 2nd degree tear) but I only had to push twice and baby was out (I'm telling you, he was so far down in my pelvis that is likely why walking/sitting/laying on my back was so uncomfortable for me).  The tear as baby crowned was like scalding heat but it was over so quickly that I don't think I'm a good judge for the comparison with long term pushing. 

@JessisGirl: I think the most helpful thing overall for me was not being hooked up to all the monitors through the majority of my labor.  It allowed me to be in the shower when I wanted, lay down when I wanted (without worrying if the monitor is still picking up baby), not second-guessing baby's reaction to everything, etc.  I know when I was in maternity triage they asked my husband if I had had high blood pressure at any time during my pregnancy (answer: no) because it was through the roof at that moment and I think if I'd labored in the hospital for any length of time they would have wanted to do interventions because of it. 

I had asked my OB what she suggested since I wanted an unmedicated birth and her answer was to stay at home as long as possible.  She said until you can no longer talk through the contractions, you don't need to come in.  Then once that occurred, to come in and get the hep lock for in-case purposes and take it from there.  The hospital she attends at left it up the OB with regard to fetal monitoring frequency and duration and my OB said if all that happened the way she suggested, she'd only want external fetal monitoring every 30 minutes or so and she'd let me be disconnected otherwise as long as everything was looking good.

I didn't have a natural birth (used meds) but I waited a while to get them. I strongly recommend using a tub to soak in during contractions. I used it before I had any meds and I almost fell asleep! It was bliss. 

ETA: I forgot to add that I also used a "birthing ball" (yoga ball) but it didn't do much for me. It's supposed to widen your hips and make you more comfortable but I just felt like I was going to fall off. I'm only 5'1" so maybe that was why! 

I did not have a completely natural birth but here is my story.  I began the signs of labor around 12pm in the afternoon but I was scheduled to be induced that eveing at 7:00pm so I was determined to wait until I was sure I was in labor before going to the hospital.  By the time 5pm rolled around the contractions were very close together and my ex and I raced off to the hospital (in Friday evening rush hour/beach traffic).  We didn't get to the hospital until 6:15pm.  I was checked and found out I was already 7cm dialated and it was too late for an epidural.  Around 6:30 or 6:45 they gave me Staytol which only took the edge off the pain.  I beggan pushing at about 7:15pm and my daughter was born at 7:43.  

Pushing vs contractions is a really tough comparison.  The contractions would go away and I'd have a little break.  Pushing was intense and uncomfortable.  By the time my daughter's head was crowning my hoo-haha was on fire.  One push later and she literally slid right out (I watched in a mirror).  I did have a minor tear and my daughter was 7lbs 10oz so her size may have had something to do with it (I'm 5'2" and 110lbs).

All in all it was a great labor (so fast) that I would replicate in a heartbeat.  If I could make it med-free I probably would.  Considering this labor was only about 7 hours or less I'm concerned about how quick baby #2 will come.   

You can have a good birth in a hospital. Try searching for a "Baby Friendly" certified hospital. They really try to encourage breastfeeding and that flows over into giving the mother the experience she wants. A happy mother is more likely to keep trying at breastfeeding if it doesn't go well at first! Even if you choose not to breastfeed, the environment is so much more mother-child centered rather than focusing on the medical aspect only. 

I just had an unmedicated birth 3 weeks ago!  We planned for a home birth, but we ended up transferring to the hospital after about 22 hours of labor and 2 1/2 hours of pushing.  My team consisted of my husband, my midwife and an assistant midwife.  My team ended up also including OB that backs up the midwifes and the rest of the hospital personnel.   There is one OB in our area that actually attends home births.  He was my original doc, but he was going to be out of the country for the 2 weeks surrounding my due date, so we decided we needed to change care providers.  There are 2 midwifes that attend home births in our area, we interviewed them both and made our decision based on those interviews.  To prepare for labor we took a Brio Birth class and that was extremely helpful to both of us.   We considered having a dula (our birth instructor is one) but decided against it. I think for the next birth I would have one, and if we had a hospital birth we would definitely have one!

I have to say, someone once told me that child birth is the worst pain you will ever forget.  I have to agree with this statement.  Three weeks later, I can't really tell you what most of the contractions felt like; however, the pushing contractions really hurt.  This might be TMI, or a bit graphic, but I could really feel them in my butt.  It felt like I had to take an enormous poo...like the biggest poo of my life.  Actually pushing him out was similar to how pp described...burning.  I also had a 2nd degree tear, so that was uncomfortable. 

I would say that just being prepared and educated about the process of labor and child birth was very helpful.  I would also recommend staying home for as long as possible (if you have to go the hospital at all).  For us, being at home was peaceful...the hospital was much busier feeling with a lot of people and chatter in our room.

I am going to PM you a link to my son's birth story that was written by my husband.  He talks a little about his process of coming to terms with having a home birth.  This might help with your SO.  

Good luck!

@JessisGirl:  My birth wasn't medication free, but because of a health condition an epidural was not an option for me.  I was induced, so pitocin was involved, and I was in tremendous pain, so narcotics were involved.  And it was obviously in a hospital, so it wasn't as natural as you might be looking to hear about.

But the pain medications came very late, after hours of practicing breathing exercises as well as use of the birthing ball, alternative positions, etc.  Do let me know if you have any questions.