Yes with my only child. At 38 weeks I was completely effaced and having minor contractions about 5 mins apart, but no dilation. After 3 days the contractions stopped, still not dilated. At 43 weeks, 4 days I went in for an induction at 6am. I walked and rocked as much as possible, determined to do this as "naturally" as possible. By 8pm I was 4cm. and exhausted, and in significant back pain (I have an L4/L5 prolapse) so I had the epidural. I didn't think getting it hurt very much- a sting, a little tug, and it was in. They broke my water at 2am and I pushed for 6 hours... at which point they took us to an operating room for delivery. They were going to prep me for surgery, give delivery one more try (with the head suction thingy) and then do an emergency c-section. Luckily they got DD out, even though she was pretty stuck. She weighed 12lbs and had blisters on her head and a broken collarbone. I didn't feel much at all- but they had the epi on full-tilt, really expecting to do a section. I shook pretty badly after, but the doc said that's a normal reaction for some women, due to all the hormone shifting and release from labor. I was in a nice, hot bath tub within an hour of delivery, and went home 24 hours later. Too soon, unfortunately; I developed septicemia AND had a separated pelvis- BIG baby- and spent the next week back in the hospital.
SO... LOVED the epidural- can't imagine having gone through all that without pain relief- but the rest really stunk!!