I had a very long labour with DS 1 and after about 11 hours of active labour I felt the need to push but was only 4cm, so I had an epidural.

For Me it was the worst thing I could have done. It slowed my labour down and I was then required to have the drip, and I was limited to being on the bed. When it cam time to push I was exhausted and was unable to push him out, so I had a high forcep delivery, but as in a minute amount of cases, the epidural was not effective in my groin area and I felt every inch of that forcep delivery and stitching up even though I had just had a top up.

For my 2nd I was induced and did the entire labour with just gas and was able to push him out and overall have a much nicer experience.

With this one I am actually tempted to write in my birth plan that I am to have a general if I need an emergency C/S for any reason cause I fear that an epi wouldn't work again.

Goodluck with what you decide!