I had one at about the 26 hour mark because like others have said, I was just so exhausted and hadn't slept in about 40 hours and I really needed a break. I was really against having an epi at all but once it went in the painlessness and ability to sleep were bliss - I asked them to top it up for me a couple of times when I felt it wearing off!! I did let it wear off when I was getting close though so I was completely in control with pushing, and after an hour of pushing my DD was born. So yes, it was still very physically demanding but that was because I wanted the effects of the epi to be gone completely by the pushing stage so that I could do as much as possible to get my DD born quickly.
I was REALLY against having an epidural to the point that when I told my midwife I wanted to discuss pain relief she was the one that had to be convinced I really wanted one. Having now had one, there is no way I would be so reluctant to wait so long again before asking for one in similar circumstances with this baby's birth.
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