At what point during labor did you get an epidural?
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Anonymous
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**Please note: This is not a forum for anti-epidural folks. I have read many of your thoughts regarding natural birth. I understand and respect your position. Please don't get this thread off course. Thank you.**
I am definitely getting an epidural and have often been told to get it "early." So, what is "early"? A certain number of cm dilated? After so many hours of labor? What about during an induction - how soon after pitocin is administered? I know every person and labor is different. Just curious what has worked (and what has not worked well) for folks. Thanks! |
Anonymous
| 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) |
Anonymous
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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 |
Anonymous
| As soon as I started feeling any real pain. It was amazing. |
Anonymous
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I was stupid and tried to go through a drug induced labor without an epidural. BIG MISTAKE! I was screaming in pain at 5 cm and finally gave in.
Turned out to be a really good thing, too, because I wound up needing a c-section after pushing for 2 hours with no sign of baby. |
Anonymous
| 24 hours in! I was going for natural, but I needed to sleep, so I got an epi. The kid was born another 24 hours later. good times. |
Anonymous
+1. With my second I knew to ask for it ASAP, especially since my water had already broken and labor was progressing quickly. The first time around the anesthesiologist had been busy and took about an hour to get to me, and then needed to return to up the dosage. The second time I asked for the epidural as I was checking in at the intake desk. |
Anonymous
| 7 cm |
Anonymous
| About halfway through my 17 hour labor. I tried to hold out as long as possible but it was the middle of the night and I really wanted to sleep. |
Anonymous
Oooh, I like the idea of asking for it at the intake desk!  Smart move, especially since your water had broken and you were progressing quickly.
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Anonymous
| I was determined to wait until 5cm but at 3cm I was too uncomfortable so I asked for it. It took 45 minutes for the doctor to arrive and by then I was at 8cm. For my second I remembered how long the wait was so I asked for it when I began to feel the first tinge of pain and I was only 1.5 cm. the doctor came right away. Completely pain free birth. It was AWESOME. |
Anonymous
| 9 cm. Also just progressed rapidly after my water broke on its own. I wasn't trying to wait. I delivered 2 hours after I got to the hospital. |
Anonymous
| Basically get it once labor is fully "established" -- meaning its really happening, and you are progressing. |
Anonymous
| I held out until 7 cms, which I think was a good idea - labor was well-established at that point. I have a lot of friends who got it "early" and experienced stalled labors and subsequent c-sections. |
Anonymous
| As soon as they would allow it. I also had drugs to help with the pain given through the iv. Basically I took Whatever meds they would give me |