Scared of second labor

Reposted to fb:
Hi ladies, I'd love to get others opinions on the following.
I'm due any day now with my second baby. My first was born early at only 4 pounds 6, with forceps as the cord was around her neck and heartbeat was dropping. I only had an 8 hour labor and didn't request an epidural until 2 hours before her birth. The epidural was just such a great feeling to be from the huge, off the chart contractions I was having.
I was in hospital with a false alarm yesterday and my obstetrician said that he could induce me (as contractions were 2 mins apart) and said of course the pain will be more intense at first. I smiled and said that's ok, I'll have another epidural." He told me that 70% of mothers with 2nd+ babies don't get time for an epidural. I burst into tears (stupid pregnancy hormones!) and said I didn't believe I could do it. That I tore with my mini baby and this baby is almost 3 pounds heavier. Still a tad smaller than average, but a big difference for me. I just would like to ask others if they got to have an epidural second time round and for those that didn't, how did it go, how long was actual full on pain for, recovery, tares, etc.
Also what is people's opinion on using Gas. Did it make them sick? Was it just the one vomit then pain relief??
Thank you for any responses and thank you to the three lovely mummies that replied on the IM website!