epidural question?

Question

can i have an epidural when im in active labor but no water breaks? my doctor says that i might have the baby today coz im dilated.

Answer 1

I was told that they would not administer an epidural after you are 7 cm dilated as it will slow the delivery. I never had an epidural with both of my vaginal deliveries (my choice) and had a spinal with my third as I had a c-section. With my second child, when I arrived at the hospital I was 8 cm already and my water had not yet broken. My dr broke my water and then I went up to 10 cm immediately. I wanted an epidural towards the end as I had severe back labor (my baby was sideways) but again because I was over 7 cm I wasn't able to have one.

Good luck and hope you have a safe delivery and enjoy your new little one! :)

Answer 2

Yeah sure you can have an epidural! My water didnt break with my son until I was pushing! They usually can give you an epidural when you are dilated to three and as late as 8-9 centimeters. When you are in active labor that is.I walked around dilated to 3 for 2 months so you may go into labor today or maybe next week. The baby will come whenever she/he wants. Congratulations and I hope you and the baby does well.

Answer 3

It doesn't matter if you water is broken or not. They will probably break it for you anyways. Epidurals are the greatest thing in the world by the way. Let your nurse know when you first get there that you want one as soon as it is possible because it might take a while for the anestesiologist to get there. Just depends on your Dr. but you won't get one until your labor is progressing (some make you wait until you are dilated to a 4) because an epidural can sometimes slow down your labor. Good luck!

Answer 4

I couldn't have the epidural until I was 7 cm dilated. Usually they wait until later on in the labor to make sure they don't slow it down. At least thats what my doctor and all the doctors at my hospital did and I thought it made sense. I had to be in a lot of pain for a while but that was okay, once the epidural came I knew I didn't have much further to go and it didn't hurt anymore. Good luck!

Answer 5

You can get an epidural anywhere from 3-8 cm dilated, regardless of whether or not your water has broken. And just because you are dilated does not mean you will have the baby today. I was dilated for 3 weeks before my daughter was born.

Answer 6

I think they don't like to keep topping it up so there might be a time limit on how long you can have an epidural for. One of my friends had an epidural during her labour and when it was time to push, they stopped it as they didn't want to give her any more. It was a shock for her, I can tell you!

I had one with the birth of my first, but my waters had already broken, things weren't progressing quickly and I had reached the stage where I felt I could not go on any longer. The relief from the epidural was amazing - absolutely wonderful, I can tell you.

So the answer might be that you will have to hold off if you want one during delivery, but please ask your midwife if you need to be reassured. Good luck, and remember that the labour DOES end!

Answer 7

yep! I was in active labor this past Monday and I got an epidural. my water didn't break until I was fully dilated. Its the best medication available, I didn't feel a thing during delivery.

Answer 8

I was dialated for a few days. But once i was in active labor they said i could have an epidural whenever. Just to let them know so they could get the doctor. I was only dialated to a one. Good Luck!

Answer 9

I just had my second son, and after four days of labor was finally admitted to the hospital. At four centimeters they gave me my epidural, but my water hadn't broken yet. They had to break it later when the baby got into trouble, so yes you can have one before your water breaks.

Answer 10

your doctor will most likely break your water before you are given the epidural.