epidural?

I have had two births and am due to be induced in 2 days time with my 3rd.

DS15 was a 10 hour labour. Was advised if I thought I might want an epi I should request it befroe hand because it is easier to turn down during labour than requesting it at teh last minute.
For most of the 10 hours I had the oxytocin drip. I managed with no pain relief for about 5 hours or so and only did the epi in the end because the anethistist was going into surgery.
The biggest thing I noticed was I still felt the pressure and one side was effected more than the other. Keeping in mind i think they administer them slightly differently now.
When it came time to push, I didn't feel much but was told when to by the contractions on the monitor.
The good thing is I was able to sleep. Bad bit is I slept for hours afterwards and was unable to move around.

My DS13 was an induced labour. Reacted severely to protaglandin gel and had 3 hours of constant unbearable contractions. Had gas only and when I asked for an epi was told there was not enough time. Had a shot of pethedine but it didn't help with the pain. The urge to push was incredible and seemed to take the edge off the pain. My body took over and I just went with it.
The good thing is I recovered instantly after he was born and was alert and able to feed and hold him. Plus I liked being able to feel the urge to push. The bad bit is feeling out of control. It is scary but if you can go with it, your body will take over for you.

With both DD1 and DD2, I went in with the hope of not needing an epidural (although open minded that if I needed it, Id happily have one) and both times have ended up with the epi.

I had the synto drip with both due to 'failure to progress' (in other words, things stalled and I needed help to get my contractions doing what they should) so my mw recommended an epi each time. I must say, when you are in the middle of painful contractions and have been having them as long as I had (around 40 hours with both girls), the pain being taken away completely is fantastic. I was able to get some much needed rest to ready myself to push. I also didnt feel a thing when they inserted it.

Downsides? I couldnt feel as much as I needed to with DD1 to push effectively and needed the help of vontouse and an episiotomy to get her out. Without the epi though I no doubt would have ended up with an emergency c-section.
DD2 I asked for the epi to be turned off well before pushing and so have a bit more feeling - not painful but could feel contractions which was much better. Still hard to focus your pushing to the right place though. Also ended up needing help (forceps this time) but not due to being unable to push her out (she was stuck because of the way she decended and her size).
Worst thing with both girls was they both needed care in NICU and I was too wobbly on my legs to go and see them initially without being taken in a wheelchair which sucked and made me feel helpless. The effects wore off pretty quickly and I think a lesser dose can get you up moving pretty quick but still something to consider.
It would have been great to get up and shower/dress, wander round, do anything but be stuck on that bed for however long especially when I was worried about my baby.

Post birth with DD1 I had killer headaches for a week and a sore back - both side affects from the epi. Also had the sore back with DD2 but no headaches.

So epi's have their place but also have downsides (risks of them aside). I think you're best to go in with an open mind, try to do it without and if you feel you need an epidural, then go for it. Make sure you look into and understand the risks/benefits and go from there