I just want to say that I had a hospital birth, and was under NO pressure for an epidural, c-section, etc. I didn't even have to make a big fuss about avoiding those things. I had made my intentions clear from the beginning, and never once did I feel like I had to tell my doctor to "shove it" or anything of that sort. Honestly, I was encouraged and supported by my entire medical team, and after my son was born I was part of the hospital "tour", because all the nurses wanted to see "that first time mom that went all natural!" lol
When my son was one week past due and nearly 9lbs according to the ultrasound, my doctor and I talked is out (ie: she asked me my feelings on the matter) and together we scheduled an induction for the following week as a failsafe. In the end, we didn't need it. He was born later that night naturally, no drugs, no surgery.
Yes, you need to be clear with your doctor(s) about what you want to happen, but it just... makes me sad that people assume they have to go into everything with guns ablazing to get their way. I do realize that there are pushy doctors out there, and I'm not trying to discount that. I just don't think it's fair to assume EVERY doctor is.
Also, from a collection of stories from my friends... well, let's just say I wouldn't blame their doctors. I had a cousin that tried to schedule an early c-section in order to line up the birth with her mom's vacation from work. I had a friend that requested an early induction because she was just "too tired of waiting around." Both of those cases, they posted all over Facebook about how it wasn't fair that their doctors weren't listening to them.
Okay. Sorry. I just had to get that out.
On the subject of baby gear... my advice is to take it easy. Put in a good amount of research and make a solid investment in a car seat. That is priority #1, in my opinion. Yes there are a lot of things you will need to have ready before Day 1 (crib or bassinette, changing station, etc.) but you aren't going to need a high chair right away, or any big play equipment. You can take some time on those things.
Strollers are a definite "maybe", depending on your personal style. We got an umbrella-style stroller frame that the carseat/carrier fit into early on, because we like to go out and about. But that was just us.
I also say... take all parenting advice with a little grain of salt. Everybody will have advice. Now, I don't mean to say that you should disregard all advice, but just realize that even when people are telling you to do something different,
it does NOT mean you are doing anything wrong. Nothing is set in stone, and rarely (if ever) is there only one option to anything. You just have to learn to do what works for you, your child, and your family.
Above all else, just do the best you can, take your time to learn what you need, and RELAX. There will be tough days. There will be exhausting days. They will always get better.