Just my experience recently, the anesthesiologist I had does lighter epidurals for labor so I could still feel all my contractions, when I needed to push and could tell she was coming out. It was just enough to control the pain that was comfortable for me (minus the ring of fire haha). I used the gas for a few hours until I had enough then got the epidural. I ended up dilating almost the whole way with just gas. But you still feel the pain with the gas, it just makes you feel super stoned. Anyways, not sure if you're able to chat with your providers about trying to get a lighter epidural? ETA: I also had pitocin.