Question about epidurals...

february292008

I know when we did the "virtual tour" of our hospital I wrote down the window of opportunity to get an epidural but now I can't find it...

Does anyone know after what point they won't do it?! 

Starbuck5

Around 7-8cm...but I think it also depends on how fast you have been progressing.

Also, every hospital & Dr. is different.

I got mine when I was between 8-9cm dialated...but it definitely wasn't suppose to happen that way...

So Long Astoria

I think it depends on the situation and how fast you're progressing.

I was 8cm and my water had broken when I got to the hospital with my daughter and they still gave me one. 

february292008

I kind of figured it would depend on my doctor/hospital/progress....

I want the drugs...I give props to the ladies who do it without anything but I am a big wiener! My goal is to make it to 5/6 on my own...I think I can! 

jax63081

I got mine at 8-9 but we didnt know i was that far along till i got the epidural and then felt a ton of pressure to push.  I wanted to try to go natural but the pain got to be too much for me.  I was also induced due to my water breaking at home and i think the pitocin made my contractions super strong.

Mrs.Backpack

The last time I was checked I was 7cm and then didn't actually get it for over an hour later.  Chances are very good that I was probably about 9cm.

Roundrockgal79

Our hospital said that we should keep in mind that on average it takes about an hour to get but that I can request it at any time as long as I'm not fully dilated and ready to push.

jd80

In our childbirth class, the instructor said we could get one between 5 and 7 cm.

february292008

thanks ladies!!

Angeldcf

Varies by each hospital.  Mine will do it up until the baby is almost crowning.  Yes, you can get an epi at 10cm.

belizeitornot

Apparently there is never a point at my hospital that they won't do it. If you request it, you get it. However, they've made perfectly clear in my childbirth class that it can take 45 minutes to take effect so if you get to 8-9cm and then decide the pain is too much and request one, it is certainly possible it won't work in time for you to have relief before the baby is born.