I know once the contractions get to hard to handle but at what cm should I ask for it. What they said is they are going to put a gel on my cervix tonight to get me to start dilating and then if I do break my water, If not start me on pitocin until I dilate enough to break my water. So when should I ask for one?
2006-11-07 06:13:06 · 23 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Pregnancy
Most doctors like to wait until a woman is experiencing true active labor--which is when the cervix is dilated to at least 4-5cm-- because the epidural can slow labor and the labor contractions. But this is up to the discretion of your doctor and anesthesiologist, according to your needs.
2006-11-07 06:24:25 · answer #1 · answered by xx_villainess_xx 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You should try to hang in there as long as you can. Once they give you an epidural, it usually makes labor slow down a bit. I lasted until 5 cm with both my deliveries.
Trust me, the nurses will ask you when it is time if you tell them that you want an epidural. The nurses will keep asking you to rate your pain. They will be constantly monitoring you.
They will offer you a sleeping pill tonight. Take it. Get some sleep. I only took half of what they offered and wished I had taken it all.
Everyone responds to the Pitocin differently. It might make your labor start very quickly, or it could drag on. Just bring some good music that relaxes you and try to rest.
Relaxation seems to bring on labor more quickly, so if you tense up, you set yourself up for longer labor.
You will be fine. Trust your doctors and nurses. They do this numerous times everyday!!
2006-11-07 06:22:24 · answer #2 · answered by stocks4allseasons 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I was induced with my daughter. I dilated to 3 cm in the first 10hrs I was there. The next morning, I was only at 3.5. They didn't want to give me the epidural because if they give it too soon, it can potentially stop the labor progression.
I was in labor for 28 hrs. 27 before I got the epidural, then the ended up doing a c-section because the babies heart dropped...she's a healthy 7mo now!
They will advise you when you can have it. Also, I'm not sure in what cases they use this, but you can ask about a spinal tap. And, if you can, find out who your anaesthesiologist is and see about filling out the paper work before hand that way you don't have to hassle with it in between contractions.
Good luck!!
2006-11-07 06:53:52 · answer #3 · answered by Laura R 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There's a point that if you pass, you won't be able to get an epidural... so you should probably ask for it if the contractions get really painful. If you pass that point, you're basically going for natural childbirth. If they're giving you pitocin, etc, they're probably going to watch you pretty closely, so they'll know when to give you the epidural.
Good Luck!
2006-11-07 06:30:25 · answer #4 · answered by Cara M 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
For me I did not must to time it, I bought my epidural after which they hooked me as much as this computer and whenever I began to believe any agony I simply needed to press a button. I best needed to press it as soon as although and that used to be best considering the fact that the epidural wasn't operating at the proper aspect so I nonetheless felt contractions on that aspect till I pressed the button once more they usually placed me on my proper aspect to put. I favored the epidural for essentially the most facet however permit me inform ya', I have a brand new observed admire for paralyzed humans. To me after I had my son I hated the aspect results of the Epidural....I could not transfer in any respect, I needed to have anyone deliver my off my mattress right into a wheel chair after which deliver me again directly to an additional mattress. Even a hour or so after I had my son I could not wiggle my feet or something. While I used to be pushing my son out my leg fell of the stirrup and I could not placed it again up myself. Also, in case you have it earlier than you're in hard work and your hand hits your leg you do not believe a factor, I did not notice I stored hitting my leg till I seemed down. Edit: I used to be brought on so I bought mine in a while after I bought the balloon catheter out of me they usually broke my water so approximately an hour or so when they informed me I used to be four cm
2016-09-01 08:46:27 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ask for it as soon as the pain increased to a point that you think you may be needing it in an hour or so. Chances are, that's how long you'll have to wait before someone gets around to you anyway. A friend of mine was told that someone would be there withing 15mins of asking.... 3 hours later she got her epidural. Better early then too late. Congrats!
2006-11-07 06:17:49 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I got one at 5cm and it was perfect timing. Of course you have to experience your contractions (and I was induced, too) and I hear they are more intense when being induced. Sometimes if you get it any sooner it can slow labor and even cause some women to completley stop dialating and they end up having a c-section. Get one at 5 cm to 7 cm or take it as long as you can girl, then get one! Good luck:)
2006-11-07 06:51:42 · answer #7 · answered by Dolphin 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Around 4-5cm, but could be earlier - I waited until the pain of the contractions was stronger than my fear of the epidural.
2006-11-07 06:16:46 · answer #8 · answered by IVF Expert 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The best time is when you get to 4 cm. If you wait any longer the contractions are much harder to deal with when you have to stay still while they put it in, and most Dr.s won't give it to you before then.
2006-11-07 06:38:34 · answer #9 · answered by purpledragonflyjrh 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Most doctors do not like to give you one to you are around 3-5cm. Let them know when you are having trouble with the pain because it can take 15-60 min for an anasteologist to get to you!!
2006-11-07 06:15:32 · answer #10 · answered by Jody 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋