At what point during labor did you get an epidural?

[Anonymous]

My water broke first, and after being up all night in labor with mild contractions, I was only at 3 cm and my OB recommended pitocin. I got the epidural about an hour after that...I could feel the pit kicking in, and the nurses told me either then or after shift change, so I went ahead and got it. I asked that it be light so it didn't numb all feeling, and they were able to do that. I felt the pressure of contractions, but not pain.

It turns out I'm one of the lucky few who respond to an epidural by spiking a fever. Not fun. That was a contributing factor to my c-section that afternoon.

[Anonymous]

My water broke before I went into labor, so I went to the hospital but wasn't having any contractions. I can't remember whether they started the pitocin first or the epidural first, but I got the epidural after my first contraction. It was not comfortable and I am not good w/pain. I barely felt my 18 hour labor as a result.

That said, my *plan* was to hold off on the epidural as long as possible so that I could walk around, etc. However once I realized what a contraction felt like I decided it was best for me to feel as little as possible.

[vtgirl1993]

My water broke at 2am and I got to the hospital at 6:30am. I was only 2cm upon arrival. I labored w/out meds for the next 12 hours, but couldn't get beyond 3cm. They put me on Pitocin and things started getting REALLY painful. As I knew my DD wouldn't be arriving anytime soon, I asked for the epi since I knew I needed sleep and I wouldn't be able to sleep through the pit contractions.

My epi only worked 100% on one side; the other side was about 40-60%. The epi "died" several times over the 24 hours before my DD arrived, so I had to have it bumped w/ IV drugs at least 3xs. The last time it died was about 1-2 hours before she was born so I felt ALL of the transition, birth, and sewing up. Not exactly pain-free, but not so bad once DD arrived and my body flooded itself w/ happy hormones!

I think I'll do it the same way this time around. I just hope the epi works 100% the entire time.

[Anonymous]

I didn't get one, because I chose to birth in a birth center where there was no option for an epidural. My water broke in labor, and that is definitely the point at which I would have begged for one, if I'd been in a place where that was an option. The difference (for me) between (non pitocin) contractions pre-ROM and the difference post-ROM was noticeable. If I had been interested in an epidural, that's when my interest would have peaked

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As soon as I started feeling any real pain. It was amazing.

Same here. Could take the contractions for about 4 hours ( I was induced). Then I neededit. DS was born 14 hours later.

[Anonymous]

Some recommend to get the epi early, because if you wait too long then you can't get one (if it's time to push, then you are past the point).

Baby #1 - Hospital policy was no epi until 4 cm. I started contractions at home and was at 4 cm when they first checked me at the hospital. I asked right away. 6 women were all in labor at the same time, so I had to wait my turn for the doctor. Probably waited an hour. No pitocin, vaginal delivery. Completely pain free after the epi. I could feel some contractions, but it doesn't really matter if you can. They have a machine right next you that indicates when you're having a contraction. I knew when to push when it was time. Easy delivery, and I loved that it took a second for the epi to wear off. I wasn't excited or eager to start feeling anything down there for awhile!

Baby #2 - water broke at home, no contractions. Was given pitocin. Asked for an epi after my first real contraction (about an hour in). My nurse knew I wanted an epi and encouraged me to get one. My labor wasn't progressing with the pitocin, so she wanted to turn it up. She knew that would be very painful. Once I got the epi, they turned up the pitocin and my labor start to progress more. I had the baby about 6 hours later. Vaginal delivery and healthy baby. (He came out after 3 pushes, so the epi didn't slow the delievery).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Started ealy labor around 10pm. Hit the magic "5 minutes apart" contraction level around 5am. Got to the hospital at 9 but was still pretty comfortable (FTM mistake!!!!) They checked me and I was only 2cms. Walked for a few hours, checked me again and I was at 3. Still feeling pretty good. At 1pm my water broke and all hell broke loose as far as pain tolerance. Got it after 45 minutes of "hard" labor and at about 3.5cm. FWIW, the contractions spaced out after that and they started to supplement with pit. Baby didn't tolerate it at ALL so off to c-section. Next time, I'll try to wait a little longer (assuming I attempt to VBAC)

Read this it is the absolute classic story of an unnecessary C-section thanks to hospital policies and interventions.

[Anonymous]

I had been having contractions on and off for days (not too painful so I didn't go in) when I went for an ultrasound at 40 weeks. While I was there for my ultrasound I decided to drop in to l&d to get checked because the contractions had gotten significantly worse.
My water broke around 5pm in triage. Only 1cm. Was checked in and given pitocin to hurry things along due to meconium. Got my pit around 9. My uterus overreacted so it was turned off. Asked for Epi and got it around 11pm. I was 3cm. At 1:30am I was checked again and was 9cm and she was out in 3 pushes. The nurse said the epi may have helped relax me and hence the good progress. It was heaven!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am in no way, shape, or form anti-epidural-- my dad is an anesthesiologist and spent 9 months telling me how great it would feel to have one. My plan was the same as yours- get an epidural when I needed it. Come labor time, I ended up going pretty fast for a FTM (total labor was about 4.5 hours), and by the time I got to the hospital and was begging for the epi, the anesthesiologist was busy with a C-section. I was ready to push before he was done, so I did it all without an epi. . . without any plans for "going natural." It was not nearly as bad as I would have thought (but I was lucky b/c it didn't last too long!).

It did leave me wishing I had done a little reading / prep for "natural birth"-- so, I tell you my story to recommend that, if you have time, you look over some "natural" pain management techniques & coping methods.

I'm planning on going "natural" this time IF labor is fast again, but if it gets unbearable or is slow, I definitely won't hesitate to ask for an epidural. (My dad remains disappointed that I did not get to feel the wonder of the epidural and has high hopes that I will have a longer labor/get one. . . umm, not sure I share that hope!)

Good luck, OP!

OP here - thanks for sharing your story. It is good to hear going natural was not as bad as you thought. I have family members and friends who have had good natural childbirth experiences. Knowing I will be induced (tomorrow!) and have the strong pitocin contractions, I am feeling extra wimpy and looking forward to the epi, though I know that is not guaranteed to work. That is pretty funny about your father hoping for a longer labor requiring an epidural - you would think that he had experienced the joy of one! Thanks again for sharing!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I didn't get one with my first. With my second I got one when the contractions were regular. DS was born 3 hours later.

Note that epis don't always work so be prepared to feel everything anyway.

Honestly, once I hit transition with him I thought they've turned off the epidural. I yelled at my doula WHO SHUT IT OFF.??.? She said "sorry, it's on and in the max" and I had to use all the techniques I practiced anyway LOL

With Epi (after 20 hours of labor, attempting a non-drugged birth) I felt every contraction and ring of fire. I am so glad I prepare for a painful birth. This time I will assume EPI and will assume feeling it again. I am reading up on natural birthing techniques and will do as much as possible but what sucks is there is no way for an individual woman to know if she is like me and quoted poster or if she will have a normal reaction to pain meds.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I had been having contractions on and off for days (not too painful so I didn't go in) when I went for an ultrasound at 40 weeks. While I was there for my ultrasound I decided to drop in to l&d to get checked because the contractions had gotten significantly worse.
My water broke around 5pm in triage. Only 1cm. Was checked in and given pitocin to hurry things along due to meconium. Got my pit around 9. My uterus overreacted so it was turned off. Asked for Epi and got it around 11pm. I was 3cm. At 1:30am I was checked again and was 9cm and she was out in 3 pushes. The nurse said the epi may have helped relax me and hence the good progress. It was heaven!

Just wanted to add to this that I'm so glad I got the Epi. My placenta had to be manually removed (the docs did 30 minutes of trying to gently get it out with massage etc but it didn't work) and finally the doc had to reach in and pull it out. I'm glad I couldn't feel that!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am in no way, shape, or form anti-epidural-- my dad is an anesthesiologist and spent 9 months telling me how great it would feel to have one. My plan was the same as yours- get an epidural when I needed it. Come labor time, I ended up going pretty fast for a FTM (total labor was about 4.5 hours), and by the time I got to the hospital and was begging for the epi, the anesthesiologist was busy with a C-section. I was ready to push before he was done, so I did it all without an epi. . . without any plans for "going natural." It was not nearly as bad as I would have thought (but I was lucky b/c it didn't last too long!).

It did leave me wishing I had done a little reading / prep for "natural birth"-- so, I tell you my story to recommend that, if you have time, you look over some "natural" pain management techniques & coping methods.

I'm planning on going "natural" this time IF labor is fast again, but if it gets unbearable or is slow, I definitely won't hesitate to ask for an epidural. (My dad remains disappointed that I did not get to feel the wonder of the epidural and has high hopes that I will have a longer labor/get one. . . umm, not sure I share that hope!)

Good luck, OP!

OP here - thanks for sharing your story. It is good to hear going natural was not as bad as you thought. I have family members and friends who have had good natural childbirth experiences. Knowing I will be induced (tomorrow!) and have the strong pitocin contractions, I am feeling extra wimpy and looking forward to the epi, though I know that is not guaranteed to work. That is pretty funny about your father hoping for a longer labor requiring an epidural - you would think that he had experienced the joy of one! Thanks again for sharing!

OP, I don't mean to be critical, but as you are being induced and planning to have an epidural immediately you will with almost 100 percent certainty have a C-section. I would love for you to come back here in a few days and tell me that I am wrong, but I have seen this play out again and again in the DC area. You will definitely have a C-section with that mind set. You will probably also be convinced that it was necessary in your case (after all, the baby was in distress for example, but the baby will only have become distressed because of what has happened at the hospital).

[Anonymous]

4-5cm

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I didn't get one with my first. With my second I got one when the contractions were regular. DS was born 3 hours later.

Note that epis don't always work so be prepared to feel everything anyway.

Honestly, once I hit transition with him I thought they've turned off the epidural. I yelled at my doula WHO SHUT IT OFF.??.? She said "sorry, it's on and in the max" and I had to use all the techniques I practiced anyway LOL

With Epi (after 20 hours of labor, attempting a non-drugged birth) I felt every contraction and ring of fire. I am so glad I prepare for a painful birth. This time I will assume EPI and will assume feeling it again. I am reading up on natural birthing techniques and will do as much as possible but what sucks is there is no way for an individual woman to know if she is like me and quoted poster or if she will have a normal reaction to pain meds.

Most women who have an epidural feel considerable pain during labor, either before they get the epidural or during because it's not 100 percent effective. They and/or their babies may also have side effects.

[Anonymous]

With my first pregnancy I asked for and got the epidural as soon as the pain got fairly intense. I think that was around 5 cm but I'm not sure. I "labored" for another 5 hours or so and then pushed for an hour. But the 5 hours of "laboring" were great. I spent the afternoon watching Millionaire Matchmaking and napping, and had a totally pain free birth.

I fully intended to have an epidural with my second child too, but labor progressed very quickly. I'd only been contracting for an hour or so when I went to the hospital, but I was already 4-5 cm. I told them I wanted an epidural right away, but intake took some time, then they had to wait to get some IV fluids in me. In the meantime the contractions got worse and worse, and before I knew it I was telling the doctor I needed to push. She checked me again and though I'd only been at the hospital for about an hour I was already fully dilated. A few pushes later and the baby was out.

I never thought I'd go the unmedicated route, as I have a low pain tolerance and see no reason to endure pain unnecessarily, but it really was okay. And the contractions are far worse than the pushing, which I didn't realize. I tell you this just in case you find yourself in a situation where you can't get an epidural.

On another note, my recovery from my epidural birth was very slow. It took a good six weeks before I felt back to normal; I was in some serious pain during that period. Whereas with my non medicated birth, I feel fine now just a week later. So all told the total amount of pain was way more with the epidural than without. Just saying.

Good luck! Whatever happens, you'll survive and get a baby at the end.