Right, shall try to be as brief as possible, but there is history here - this is birth no.3 and induction no.3 for me.
First birth, I went halfheartedly into labour and went to hospital far too early where they discovered that DD had died in utero, so I delivered her stillborn. As contractions stopped on the news, I was induced by pessary (which I think was absolutely the right course of action BTW, no complaints). I had a five hour labour. Pain relief was diamorphine which did absolutely nothing except make me puke and unable to walk without falling over. I don't know if I asked too early for an epidural or no-one was available, but I didn't get one. The pain was staggering and I had to be ridiculously brave to get through it (this is not boasting; it's relevant)
Second birth, DS was fortunately fine, but I was induced at 38 weeks for my own piece of mind. I needed syntocin to start labour, as gel etc. didn't work. Was monitored with a wireless monitor, but couldn't move round much anyway because we kept losing the trace (midwife was fantastic at trying to help me move). Pain started coming and it really wasn't that bad. I could have coped for ages yet but trying to manage the pain and be stoical brought back awful memories from my first birth and I thought no, I'm damn well not going to be brave again, so instead of dealing with the pain like a grown up I sobbed and hyperventilated instead, even though I could perfectly well cope. Midwife therefore suggested I would need an epidural. I had it and it was absolutely brilliant - total pain relief but I could still feel all the contractions and actually pushed far more effectively than I did with DD because I wasn't in pain.
So, DH says, why on earth wouldn't you just opt immediately for the epidural this time round? (DC3 is high risk and will be induced at 38 weeks again) Well, because I know that I had the absolute perfect epidural experience last time and don't know if I would be so lucky again. On the other side, I really really don't want to be in unbearable pain and find I can't have an epidural.
It's been an exhausting pregnancy for lots of reasons and I just don't know what to do for the best. I know no-one can tell me what to do and I have to make my own mind up, but WWYD?
Also, anyone been induced for the third time and was it any easier? How common/uncommon is it to want an epidural and not be able to get one?