I was reading in my pregnancy book the other day that they give it early and can inject more later if it wears off, but I've never heard that before. Also, are there other forms of pain relief they give before the epidural or do you just wait it out? Thanks!
2007-02-04 11:11:22 · 6 answers · asked by lysistrata411 6 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Pregnancy
the epidural it self is not what gives pain relief...that is the term given for the type of procedure you get...the tube in your spine. the medication is given in small amounts into the tube and the tube delivers the medication directly to your spine blocking nerve endings and numbing your body.
i know some places that will give you an Epi as soon as you are admitted to the hosptial and are in active labor. they don't give you the meds till you ask for it, but the tube is in place and ready, that way your not trying to get an Epi in place while in tremendious pain.
there are several other local injections that are given through the IV if you chose not to have an Epi.
all pain meds eventually wear off. they only last a certain time frame. and depending on the level of pain some meds are better than others.
i had an Epi with my first child AND i had injections prior to the Epi so the poster above me is wrong about not using both meds...it's just not at the same time. the pain meds NEVER worked for me. i had my first child; a son, after 6 1/2 hours of labor.
i chose not to repeat what i saw as unnessisary treatment for ME w/any future pregnancies.
i did not have an Epi with my daughter, and just used two local shots to help w/the pain. i had her after 13 1/2 hours of labor.
i will not use an Epi with the baby i am carrying now either. i personally HATE them, and they cause more discomfort during and after labor than the actually labor itself for ME.
to each their own.
2007-02-04 11:33:44 · answer #1 · answered by ☆MWφM☆ 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
They typically will give the epidural at four cm. And they can inject more if it starts to wear off too much. And for having anything before that it's all in what you want. If you want to wait it out you can or they can give you a shot of something through you i.v. to help with the pain. When I had my daughter I was in so much pain I did get a shot before I was 4 cm.
2007-02-04 11:17:37 · answer #2 · answered by Rachel H 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I was 6 cm when I asked for mine. I hadn't used any other painrelief before that point. I watched my sister use different forms of pain management, and she was "wasted" when she finally delivered. I'm glad that I went directly to the epidural... I was totally myself, and completely relaxed (until they said I was 9 cm and would be poushing soon)
Once the epidural is "set-up" in your back... the amount of medication is monitored and adjusted as needed... if you need a little relief, you get a little medication... if you need a lot (say for a c-section) they pump it in there!!
2007-02-04 11:17:35 · answer #3 · answered by naenae0011 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Some hospitals will give it to you if you are dilated atleast 4 centimeters and your contractions are steady and strong... but some hospitals it is 5 centimeters.... and I have never heard of an epidural wearing off and they giving a second dose.. there is no medication prior to an epidural.. they don't do both meds and epidural...
2007-02-04 11:18:39 · answer #4 · answered by sleepyincarolina 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋
I believe most anestieologists give you the epidural when you are about 4 cm. And you actually get a little button to press yourself when you start feeling more pain, so that you can administer it yourself.
2007-02-04 11:16:14 · answer #5 · answered by melashell 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
usually when you dialate to atleast a 5
2007-02-04 11:13:13 · answer #6 · answered by 9929 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋