When is a good time to get the epidural?

I know every woman is different but at how many centimeters dilated would be good to get the epidural. After reading the other thread it seems that the ladies who waited until 7cm felt more pain.

Re: When is a good time to get the epidural?

You mean better in what way? To have a more pleasant overall birth experience, get it as soon as they let you (usually around 3 cm). Buuuut for some women they say it can prolong labor so if you want to go faster (but you will obviously feel more pain) then wait until the last minute which is 7 cm. After that point, you can't get it anymore so be careful if you opt for that choice because sometimes the anesthesiologists are busy and can take an hour to get to you, by which point you could have progressed too far to get it!

Re: When is a good time to get the epidural?

It all depends what you want out of the birth experience. Epidurals usually slow down labor. So, if you want a lot less pain, but don't mind dealing with a long labor, you might want to get it early, like 3 or 4 cm. For me, I wanted to feel as much of the whole process as I could, and didn't want to prolong the labor because I know there are risks associated with that (and a greater risk of C-section). So I waited as long as I could. Unfortunately, with both my labors, I needed pitocin, so my contractions were very intense and on top of one another. With my first, I got the epi at about 4 cm. I had stopped progressing because my contractions were so close together from the pitocin, so my muscles weren't being given a chance to relax in between, therefore preventing dilation. Got the epi and went to 10 cm within a half hour or so. The second time, I opted for the epi at 7cm, and while it was being administered, I felt that I was fully dilated (I knew what it felt like from having gone through it less than 2 years earlier!). So it hadn't even fully kicked in yet by the time my son was born. I definitely preferred that- it ended up being just enough to take the edge off enough for me to focus on pushing him out (which I did in 10 minutes!). HTH!

Re: When is a good time to get the epidural?

Re: When is a good time to get the epidural?

Thanks ladies. I really dont want any pain lol but I dont want to be in labor forever either. I guess I will see how much pain I can take..

Re: When is a good time to get the epidural?

Re: When is a good time to get the epidural?

Re: When is a good time to get the epidural?

Do you know you 100% want one? Then tell them that right away so they can set you all up and put it in. They dont have to actually numb you yet, but can set it up early, so whenever you feel you want it, they can hit the button.

If you're unsure about getting one, it's still good to get it set up early, so they can give it to you whenever you have had enough.

Re: When is a good time to get the epidural?

I ended up getting the epi at 4cm both times. Didn't slow down my labor at all.
The first time they asked me if I wanted it. I said yes cause I didn't know any better lol wasn't feeling much pain. but then it wore off a little before 10cm so I had to push for an hour without it. Ouch!
The second time I wanted to hold out longer but by the time I reached 4cms they were unbearable. I couldn't wait longer so I asked for it. Then progressed quickly to 10 and was able to push with an epi! For all of 9mins . Figures lol

Re: When is a good time to get the epidural?

My nurse recommended getting it before i felt too much pain since it's an easier experience - I was also induced using pitocin so the second that it started working, they increased the pitocin.

I wasn't in unbearable pain at that point but, I was scared that I would be and I wanted to make the epidural process as easy as possible.

I think I was about 4cms at the time. I gave birth about 9 hrs later - vaginally.

Re: When is a good time to get the epidural?

It took me 15 hours to get to 3cm. I got the epidural at 3cm and went to 10cm in 2 hours. I feel like it really relaxed me and helped me get to 10cm faster.

Re: When is a good time to get the epidural?

When they first allow your to get it around 3-4 cm.

My last 2 experiences were completly different. I "tried" to handle the pain and cramps and bac labor until it was unbearable and I asked for an epidural. i was about 5 cm. It took the anestologist almost an hour to get in my room.

My lesson learned, when I had my next DD and i wasn't in pain yet but they told me i could get the epdural now. i took it and it was sooo much easier and less pain!

Re: When is a good time to get the epidural?

I got the epi at 4cm, 5 hours of labor. 7 hours after i got the epi i had my DS.