3rd Trimester
Options
How long do I have to get an epidural?
At my 36 week check up my Dr told me I was dilated 3cm, 80%effaced and she was at 0 station. She says I won't make it to my due date, probably not thru the end of next wk. I'm worried I won't make it to the hospital in time for an epidural as it is my first pregnancy and I don't really know what a contraction will be like. I know I will need a bag of fluids before I get the epidural but being so close already how long do I have before they won't be able to give it to me?
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Re: How long do I have to get an epidural?
this is what the ana doc told me, they dont do it past 7cms because it takes 45 minutes to work.
This. Also, First stage labor (which is not only hard contractions) is 15-17 hours according to Dr. Bradley. It is everything from those first few contractions (what he calls the "Putsy-Putsy" stage) to reaching true labor with regular, timetable contractions. Unless you have a very fast labor, you should have time.
With my first I was at a 4 and 90% at my last dr.'s appt. and then when I arrived at the hospital to deliver I was at a 5. I wasn't in pain, but knew I wanted the epidural and my nurse suggested when I was at 7 to go ahead and get it. I had a 14 hour labor.
I agree with this poster. I've had an epidural with all three of my kids, each at different stages with nothing said about a bag of fluids before. I was at a 7 when I got it last time, and the relief was instant for me, it didn't take anything close to 45 minutes for me
, 💙💙💙💙💙💙
At 36 weeks I was 3 cm and 70%....
I didn't go into labor until 39w5d. I got to the hospital at 5cm and got the epi at 6-7cm
~after 34 cycles we finally got our 2nd little bundle of joy~
My IF blog
You'll have to talk to the person doing the anesthesia (either an anesthesiologist or CRNA) about your options. Most of them do a combination epi now that works instantly and can be controlled/backed off when you push if necessary. They have tons of different ways they can administer anesthesia depending on the case. CRNAs and anesthesiologists work in their own group practices and are usually in no way affiliated with the hospital or your doctor. They have their own guidelines, licenses, and ways of doing things separate from the dr or hospital.
I had a c-section, which required an epi, and my epi was instant numbness from the waist down. It isn't true that it takes 45 min for any epi to work. Anesthesia in an emergency surgery situation has to be instant, so there are options for you even in non-emergencies if you need instant relief.
Thank you to everyone for ur responses, they were all very helpful!
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The truth is that this will depend on a number of factors. First, it depends on availability. If the anesthesiologist is busy in a c-section when you decide you're ready you might have to wait. If you already have fluids running because your doc ordered them then the bag of fluid issue may or may not be an issue. I have met anesthesiologists who will agree to do an epi on a woman who is fully dilated. Literally I was in a delivery where it was in just in time for her to push. Other docs won't do it after a certain point in labor.
Bottom line: try not to stress!! Just go to L&D when you think it's go time based on what your doctor tells you. Tell the nurses first thing that you want an epi so that they put you in the line of patients to get one and get all the stuff done that they know the anesthesiologist will want. Anything beyond that is out of your control so just do your best to go with it.