can you be too late for an epi?

tinawife

I am wondering if you can be too late to get an epi?

The reason I am wondering is this.  For my DS I was trying to go with out drugs.  I was fine from 3cm-7cm, then things got terrible for me.  I was able to get through it but at 10cmm I was still not "ready" to puch as his head needed to come down further.  I was freaking out and demanded an epidural.  They said as long as I can sit on the side of the bed still enough, they would give me one.  I sat on the side of the bed at 10 cm and got that epidural! I feel like it saved my life.

 So now I want to make sure I can get one for my second labor.  I want to wait so it does not slow labor down, but I am hearing things on this board that people were too late to get it?? How late is too late??

Iheartkevi

I was told that you couldn't get it after 8 cm, same with the narcotics drugs because of the effects on the baby.  If you got one at 10, though, I have no idea!

jkfranklin

I think it depends on your dr and your situation.  Also, they have done studies that show that and epi does not slow down labor.  That is a myth.

sasky

My sister got one at 9 1/2.

LuckyBride06

My childbirth class teacher said it's never too late. Unless, of course, the babies head is basically out and you're pushing. She said you can be 10 cm dilated and request one before pushing.

PurpleK26

I've heard that after 8 they won't give it to you because the 'hard part' is over, and if you're just concerned about the 'ring of fire' pain, they'll give you a local for that.

If they let you do it at 10 last time, and you're going to the same place, I imagine they'd do it again this time. However, it wouldn't hurt to ask the hospital when you check in, just in case their policy has changed or something. 

FWIW, I don't hear about too many people stalling out at 7-8 cm whether they have the epi or not... I think it moves fairly quickly from that point on... well, as quickly as things go when you're talking labor! 

Jerseygirl16

I was told not after 8cm.  I know three people that were too late. One because she was trying to do it without meds and waited too long to change her mind so it was no longer an option by the time she really wanted it and the other two because labor went too fast and there wasnt time. 

jkmccall22

I agree with the PP.  It depends on your doctor/hospital/anesthesiologist.  I've had lots of people tell me they had progressed too far to receive one, but I've had doctors tell me that as long as I could sit through a contraction, I could have one.

I really don't know how they decide, but I'm guessing it's more personal than it is medical.

DaisyGrl13

My Dr. said as long as you're not ready to push, they could go that far.  But once you get that feeling to push it's too late.

NiniJ55

I think it's up to your particular doctor to say when it is too early or too late for an epi. 

Are you using the same doctor as when you delivered last time.  If so - I don't see this being a problem for you.

LittleMamaB

I got it at 9cm with my second. I was pushing five minutes later.

Married2MrWright

Usually they won't offer it to you once you're 8 cm or more...that said...even for those who want natural childbirth...that time is the most likely that they'll ask for pain medication.  What's key is to know this in advance and realize that you're almost there.  If you can get to 8 cm w/out drugs you can certainly get to 10 cm and push!  If you can work through the fear and breathe through the pain.  By then, even if you have an epi they're likely backing it off so you can feel down there when it's time to push.

Married2MrWright

jkfranklin:

Also, they have done studies that show that and epi does not slow down labor.  That is a myth.

I'd like to see these stats because everything I've read is exactly the opposite.  In fact epidurals often stall labor, leading to c-sections.

LittleMamaB

Married2MrWright:

If you can get to 8 cm w/out drugs you can certainly get to 10 cm and push!

Sorry, I really am, but I can't help but LOL at this comment from someone who has never actually had a baby. 

Really, the pain cannot even be described. I'm sure some women are able to think that clearly, but when you are having blinding, writhing pain, the thought process usually isn't that clear. My worst pain was from 7-10cm...easily.

getnmarried910

Our hospital doesn't do it after 8cm.  It will also depend on your body.  With DD#2, I went from 6 to 9 cm in 30 minutes, so if I had waited, I wouldn't have been able to get one.  I'm glad I got mine at 3 cm.

Luv-a-Bug

They told me it wasn't too late till the baby is crowning.

fellesferie

I was told by an anesthesiologist at my hospital that it's never too late.

With DS, I was about 6-7cm when I got the epidural. I'm hoping to get to about the same progression with this baby, but I'm trying not to develop too many specific expectations. 

It didn't stall my labor at all, fwiw. I was 5cm when I got to the hospital at 6:30. I was 10cm by noon. I pushed for a LONG time, but if my nurses are to be believed, I did fine pushing?my kid's head was just big compared to my pelvis. 

ibis

I can't imagine why you'd want an epi just for pushing, but it sounds pretty clear that it depends on hospital policy.

One thing to keep in mind is that they can't always get the anesthesiologist to come in at a moment's notice, so if you're pretty sure you'll want an epi, it would be wise to request it earlier.  

echoudhary

Our childbirth instructor said there is no medical reason that you can't get one beyond 8 cm - it's just a matter of timing. It takes awhile for the epi to get ordered, the anesthesiologist to show up and approx. 20 minutes for it to be administered. I guess it's around an hour total - so if you have the time - they'll do it. Good Luck! I don't think I'll last til 8 cm without it 

ocho2002

My child birth teacher said there really is no such thing as too later unless you're ready to push since it takes about 30-45 minutes from the time you make the decision to get it done.  She said if you make it to 9-10 cm, they will really discourage it, but that its always your right.

fellesferie

ibis:

One thing to keep in mind is that they can't always get the anesthesiologist to come in at a moment's notice, so if you're pretty sure you'll want an epi, it would be wise to request it earlier.  

You also generally have to get a bag or two of IV fluids before they'll administer an epi. It depends on the hospital's policy, but it's something to think about.. since it will take 30 minutes+ to get a bag of fluid.