When did u get an epidural during labor?

Question

How many centimeters dialated were u before getting the epidural? And what stage in labor were u when u actually asked for it? Oh 1 more thing,did they induce you? thx =)

Answer 1

Generally speaking, an epidural will be performed when you're between 3-6 cm dialated.
Usually they won't do it after 6 because the last few centimeters go quickly and they don't want to cause risk to the mother or baby.

But every doctor is different.

Answer 2

I was induced all three times (high blood pressure). With my first, I waited until 5cm to ask for the epidural, which they brought quickly. I thought I would try natural, but that just didn't seem possible for me at the time. With my second, I got the epidural at 3 cm because I knew I wanted it, and the doctor said it was ok. With my third, I wasn't in that much pain, so I waited until I was to get the epidural (again, around 5-6cm). They took forever to bring it (by then I was REALLY in pain), but I was so tense I didn't dilate any more until after it was placed. Then I went from five to seven. Of the three labors, my second was the quickest and easiest (she also weighed a pound less than the other two, though).

Answer 3

I was fully dilated and the baby was "stuck" when they gave me the epidural. I never did ask for it with my first child, but I begged for it with the second (they said no, I was too far along, it would be bad for the baby). Was induced for the second child, not for the first. If I were going through it again (and I won't be, trust me) I wouldn't wait until the pain was unbearable to ask for the epidural but would check in with the nurses and doctor as the labour progressed. I saw a comedian once who said "There is no gold medal handed out to mothers who go through labour without drugs. Why do some women turn it into a competition?" Natural child birth is all well and good, but don't feel guilty if it just doesn't work out that way.

Answer 4

had planned and I really tried to go completely without relief but I was so tired by time she finally decided to come out (almost 2 days in labor) I gave in to an epidural in the last few hours (around 5cm and quickly flew to complete!) just because I was exhausted and wanted temporary relief to get some rest so I would be up the the pushing. It was nice while it lasted and I did get the rest I was seeking but seems like a waste for me (in hindsight) because the Dr. turned it off before I started pushing and I felt everything again and the pushing really wasn't that bad for me (about 25 mins).

I regret it now because it screwed up my back. I have a nasty numb/tingly spot in my spine now and I get wicked spinal headaches that are worse then the labor was for me. I hope those go away. I was told this is rare but Lucky Me huh?! I personally won't have one next time!

Keep these things in mind:
When you're "in the moment" do what You need in conjunction with what's best for your baby. Don't let nurses coaches or anyone pressure you into something you're not comfortable with (the whole experience is uncomfortable enough!) and try not to beat yourself up for not sticking to "birth plans" later. There's nothing to "prove", we're all different, every labor is different, and hard as we may try no one is "Super Woman". Good Luck!

Answer 5

I was induced my son was a 42 weeker. I got my epidural when i was around 3. I didn't progress pass 4 and had to have a c-section. You'll want an epidural if u can't stand pain...its like cramps magnified 10x's. I would do it again it made laying in the hospital bed waiting a little more endurable.

Answer 6

My first pregnancy was horrable. I went into false labor 3 times during the corse. When I finaly went into labor for real I thought it was just another falsey. I had a doctors appointment that morning so I went to see her. After setting in the waiting room for an hour, I finally went in to see the Dr. She told me I was in labor and dialated 2 cm. This was at 11:30am. I went home got my bags called my family and went to the hospital. At 3cm my water had still not broke, so the doc broke it. 20 min later I was in full blown labor. Now this was 17 years ago and they may do it different, but I was crying for them to put me to sleep, kill me, knock me out. They suggested an epidural. I agreed. I was 4cm. It took about 45 min. for them to put something in my i.v. they said i needed for the epidural to work. When the doc came back she said your to far to give the epidural too. I was 7 1/2 cm. They refused to give it to me. I had a healthy 6lbs 13oz boy. My second I did it all natural. Nothing at all. Figurered if i could have one with out the epidural, i could have this one natural. I was in labor 15 hours first, 3 hours second. I think you should feel all the pain that the kid gives you, because believe me labor is not as painful as them growing up and becoming thier own person, and them slowly pushing you away. I remember it hurt but I really dont remember the pain. Good luck

Answer 7

I had gone into labour on my own but it was on-off for most of the time so the ob gave me something..to be induced. I was only at about 1 cm. (You see I was two weeks late when the putzy labour started)Then after about 15 hours they gave me an epidural...so I could sleep.I was only at about 5 cm then.The next day I had a C-section because I was only at 9 cm. The OB said I should have walked around at the beginning but I am a pain avoider. If I had walked and progressed on my own I would have delivered on my own. (My baby was postierier, so it still would have been hard)
It wasn't that bad..but I certainly haven't forgotten. Having a baby is wonderful whether it is like mine or more natural. This was for my first baby..I had three more after that.
You Go Girl. You're Strong!

Answer 8

between 8 to 10 maybe 6 i was in labor for 4 days with my first one they broke water i dilated so slow they do the epidural when you are going to feel the most pain it could take you hours to dilaght the last 4 cm. all are differnt

Answer 9

delivery # 1, I was 4cm, they routed it the wrong way and the right side of my face was frozen (I couldn't open my eye, my rt nostril flowed, and I drooled out of the right side of my mouth), so they had to disconnect it, 12 hours of pushing followed (total of 78 hours in labor, about 60 of it was REAL bad, with NO pain relief. bad labor, horrible delivery, over 230 stitches (7'15oz, 19 1/4 long)
delivery # 2, I fell during an earthquake 3 1/2 wks before my due date and ruptured my membranes about noon, went to the hospital, had my 1st contraction at 3pm, my son was born at 4:51 pm after 6 itty bitty barely noticible contractions, while I was still waiting for the anethstesiologist. He was the biggest baby in the preemie ward at 7'14oz 20 in long, since we were both fine, and I didn't get an epi, we got to go home 3 hours later.
Even though I didn't benifit from an epidural, ( it hurt more than the contractions), I know a lot of women who have, if you're planning on getting one, don't wait too long, you have to be less than 7cm to get it
18 years after my daughter was born, I can still feel the exact spot the epi needle went in, it's caused years of back problems, but I had a crappy anesthesiologist who kept yelling at me to keep still during my contractions, even after the nurse told him my contractions registered higher on the machine than any she'd ever seen.
Happy birthing

Answer 10

I was induced with my first son, didn't have an epidural. With my second son he came on his own, no epidural either. You'll know when you need one. My sister got an epidural at six centimeters.