For the moms that delivered.... Epidural?

JoanneD210 · September 2015

How long before you asked for the epidural???

ebrosten33 · September 2015

First baby I got it right when I went in at 8 am had him at 4:21 pm but I was a 4 dilation and 70 effaced so figured labor was happening sooner this time around got induced and could of gotten the epi whenever but waited until pain was getting annoying to me so got it at 11pm and I had contractions for the past 4 hrs and only in the back and finally I just couldn't get comfortable anymore hope that helps

faithsaxon · September 2015

I waited until they broke my water at 5 cm.

karapalley · September 2015

I got mine between 3 and 4 cm when I was admitted into labor and delivery.

ForeverEverAfter · September 2015

Never got to that point. First baby I coped well until transition, so I just used nitrous. This baby I was set on a natural birth-had a doula and a supportive Dr. Contractions first started at 4pm, went to hospital at 1am, still calm and swaying through them. At 4:55am I sat/collapsed on the bathroom floor and yelled that I couldn't do it anymore. They half carried me to the bed and found I was fully dilated-held my baby at 5:08

sphillips18 · September 2015

I asked for the epi the moment I walked into L&D haha I was having unbearable back labor though. I came in at 6am at 4cm and I don't remember where I was at when they gave it to me but it was around 830-9am when they gave me the epi and she was born at 10am. I had a really fast labor.

kanga915 · September 2015

ForeverEverAfter said:
Never got to that point. First baby I coped well until transition, so I just used nitrous. This baby I was set on a natural birth-had a doula and a supportive Dr. Contractions first started at 4pm, went to hospital at 1am, still calm and swaying through them. At 4:55am I sat/collapsed on the bathroom floor and yelled that I couldn't do it anymore. They half carried me to the bed and found I was fully dilated-held my baby at 5:08

I also had two babies with unmediated births. The best experiences of my life. Not for everyone, but I'm a big fan of doing it all natural and feeling everything!

conchispitita · September 2015

You'll know when you need it

I came close to having an unmedicated birth, the one downside is that you can't feel the urge to push the same way with an epidural, so there is a trade off.

chelseajeanene · September 2015

3-4 cm

thefuturemrsdaniel · September 2015

I came in with my first at 6cm or 7cm. Not too long after I was trying to decide if I wanted one. My mom and hubby decided I did. They didn't like seeing me in pain haha

momofsweetps · September 2015

4 cm this time (I had epidurals with my firdt 2 & 3 unmedicated births after that). I wasn't in too much pain when I got it but I've been having some severe breathing issues and was having a hard time breathing through contractions and knew if I couldn't breathe through contractions that weren't killing me yet I would be in trouble, so we opted for it. I actually liked it because I could move my legs and feel the baby moving down and pressure without the pain of the contractions. I was very glad I got it (I had a terrible experience with my 2nd so I was terrified of it).

Nikki12414 · September 2015

I got it somewhere between 6 and 7 cm . I could have waited a little longer but I figured I'd stay on the safe side and get it before I was in too much pain to stay still.

jabeauty90 · September 2015

2 1/2 hours after they broke my water because the max amount of pitocin wasn't working. I was 7 cm.

mpache06 · September 2015

I got mine at 7cm. I just couldn't stand the pain anymore and was in labor for almost 24 hours before having to have an emergency c-section. I wasn't planning on getting an epidural..in fact I didn't want one at all. I wouldn't be scared of it hurting tho because I honestly didn't feel anything.

sgleave · September 2015

Around 4cm. I asked for it when admitted basically but I was 3rd in line and had to wait for a while. I wasn't able to focus/relax thru the contractions and more than anything i wanted to feel present. It ended up being a very smart decision bc I was in labor for a while and had a ton of pitocin, plus was ready to go for my c/s when that time came.

tstew96 · September 2015

I got it right when I went in at 4cm dilated, I was fine with waiting until my contractions hurt worse, but my sister convinced me I'd wanna get it ASAP in case it didn't work or something. I'm glad I got it when I did because it let me relax

booksandcleverness81 · September 2015

If you're planning on one I would suggest you wait until after 4cm. Read many sources that concur that before then it's much more likely stall labor, and some hospitals don't allow it until then for that reason. Best wishes for a smooth birth!

mrsoirish · September 2015

After a long, painful night of cervidil that put me into labor, I asked for pain meds and they said I was 4cm so I got an iv med that made me start only feeling contractions (before, I was having a never-ending contracted back/hips). After about an hour they asked if I wanted an epidural and I was hesitant because for some reason I thought it would wear off if you got it too early. Nope! Wish I had asked for it with the cervidil, I don't know if they would have given it to me, but I wish I had been able to get some sleep during the night.

smiversen · September 2015

I thought the same thing @NoelleOReilly! My water had broke on it's own but I think I was only dilated a four or something. I was having back labor though - just constant pain. I didn't want to talk to anyone and hurt to walk/sit/lay down. Just all around uncomfortable. Doc came in and said if you were my sister I would tell you to get the epidural, so that's when I did. 15 minutes later I was laughing and joking around again. I had a great experience with mine - I was still able to feel pressure and knew when to push.

jbettles · September 2015

I went in to the hospital and was admitted at 3:40 pm, not quite dilated to a 4. I wanted an epidural right away, but first they had to run my lab work (low platelets) and then wanted me fully to a 4 before they did it. My levels came back ok, but the monitor was showing I wasn't having contractions (I definitely was!) so they thought I probably wasn't really progressing. They checked me at 6 pm and I was between 6-7 cm, so the anesthesiologist came and visited with me that she n doc agreed a spinal would be a better choice (one time shot, lasts about 2 hours). After she explained it, I agreed and got it at 6:30. About 8:30/9 it started wearing off, by 9:15 I was ready to push, and baby boy born at 9:38. The spinal had worn off but, really, the pain wasn't all that bad. I liked feeling my contractions to know when to push (monitor never did pick them up), and having enough feeling to actually push.

jen83mn · September 2015

I asked for it at 6 cm, about 7 hours after my water broke (I was 3 cm and 90% effaced when I arrived at hospital). My contractions were painless until 5 cm. Loved the epidural! I could still tell when my contractions were happening but had no pain. In fact, I took a 3-hour nap and went from 6-9 cm while I was sleeping. The only part that was a bit painful was when baby's head was halfway out and staying out in between contractions, but even that wasn't that bad. I will definitely be getting an epidural with my next birth ... I was so relaxed! And getting the epidural didn't hurt at all, other than a little pinch when the numbing shot was administered.

hakettler · September 2015

I got mine at four cm. my contractions were really painful--back labor and I was stuck at a 3 for 6 hours. I had to get to a four and show progress before I wanted the epidural. It was so tough! But I walked and got to the four then they gave it to me. Didn't feel a thing but had some gnarly contractions while they were administering it which made it difficult to stay still. It starting wearing off at the perfect time and I could feel enough to push. It was so amazing!! I'll definitely be getting one again.

troopersmom · September 2015

@NoelleOReilly my situation is almost exact as yours:
They warned me it might wear off too soon so I did pain meds first with the cervidil. I then asked for the epidural when I was about 4 cm.

jwebbbber45678 · September 2015

I got mine after three hours of incredibly intense and horrific nonstop contractions that began at 6am right after my water broke. We got to the hospital at seven and I was begging for one immediately because there was no relief or rest from the pain. It was so intense, I scared my husband with the wild screaming! I didn't end up getting one until 9am because the anesthesiologist was at an emergency c section. They checked my cervix right after I got it and found out I was already at ten. I was feeling guilty for not sticking to my original plan of drug free but it turns out I ended up laboring all the way through without it. The crazy thing is I went on at one in the morning and was only at one centimeter. The epidural was amazing and allowed me to rest and then push without pain.

adtaylor2015 · September 2015

I was between 5 and 6 cm. I got it right before they broke my water.

kmarszal · September 2015

With both my deliveries so far I got to 6cm and then stopped dilating but kept getting contractions right on top of each other. First time was on pitocin and second was natural labor but honestly both hurt the same. After getting Epi both times I took a nap for a couple hours and woke up with LOs head right there ready to push. Second time only had to push twice. I don't think I could have done it without the Epi. I had started shaking from pain and literally had the instinct to run (which would make no sense). I was still able to feel the pressure to know when to push. Worked out great.

smhtgh · September 2015

I got mine at 4 cm. I feel like I could have and should have waited. The epidural going in didnt hurt at all, but I didn't like it. My right side was number than my left and it didnt feel right. The epidural didn't affect my pushing. I am a FTM and only pushed for 14 minutes. Next time I am planning on going as long as I can/hopefully not get the epidural.

shaunnar053 · September 2015

faithsaxon said:
I waited until they broke my water at 5 cm.

This. After they broke my water, LO was born 4 hours later.

alyjmac · September 2015

I was admitted at 4cm, laboured in the tub for an hour and made it to 6cm. Stalled at 6 for two hours and they broke my water. I couldn't handle the pain after that and when they checked me again I was 7cm. I looked at my boyfriend and told him to go and get me the epidural. After the epidural was in, checked me again and I was at 8cm. It helped me relax and just have a good time with my mom and boyfriend. But after that I stalled for a good 3-4 hours before pushing and I hated how numb I was. I still was able to push fine though .. FTM and only pushed for about half an hour to fourty five minutes. Also, nice thing about the epidural was after when I was bleeding and having clots come out I could hardly feel my OB pushing hard on my stomach and pulling them out.

shelbydd · September 2015

I got it around the 7 hour mark. I had just hit 4cm. Unfortunately I stalled at that point and had to have a c-section.

ElleMF728 · September 2015

I got mine at 10, LO was born 15 minutes later. I transitioned quickly both times so by the time the anesthesiologist finished with me I was ready to push. It ended up being really nice though because there wasn't time for it to kick in fully, it wore off almost immediately. There also wasn't any time for a catheter so I was happy to avoid that as well.

PickledPlums · September 2015

I was 5 cm. I have no idea how many hours in I was, or how many hours before I had my baby. I couldn't handle the pain, I had no control or faculties, the pain was outrageous. I loved every second of my epidural.

ButterflyRae · September 2015

I got it around 7 cm after about nearly a full day of labor. It wasn't something I intended to do, but it was a good decision.

Kayciejoe56 · September 2015

I went in knowing I wanted one. When I got go the hospital, I was 3cm with decent contractions every 2-4 min. I thought I would wait a little bit, but after abut 45 min, it just seemed pointless to be in pain if I already knew I wanted one, so I got it. Best decision ever!!! Didnt slow down labor at all, and I just hung out and visited with family for about 6 hours until it was time to push!!!

visualcircus · September 2015

I was induced with pitocin, and asked for the epidural 3 hours later when I was 4-5cm dilated. The epidual stopped working 1 hour into the 3 hour pushing phase before DS's birth... and I did not have a med free birth coping backup plan!! My labor was 19 hours long and I really needed the rest to be able to push. That being said I would get the epidural again.

carlyamc · September 2015

I was 9.5 centimeters and already pushing when I asked. My doctor, 2 nurses, my husband, my mom and my sister all looked at me like "really?, you made it this far you can go without" Lol .. I don't even knew if I could have gotten it anyway since I was so far along .. I did not get it and had an all natural birth .. I wanted to try an all natural birth but definitely wasn't against an epidural ..

acoope20 · September 2015

I went in open minded and ended up get cervidil and pitocin and had a 20hr labor. I needed the rest but I waited till I was 6 cm so as not to slow down the labor and to have it during the worst of it. In about 2 hrs I was pushing and it was almost completely wore off. I would definitely get it again.

kmcshane0211 · September 2015

5 CM. Had I not had Pitocin I would have waited longer.

AmandaNacora · September 2015

I was induced and asked for one when I got to 5cm and they broke my water. I mostly asked for it because of the cervical checks, since I was at the hospital so long (3 days) they checked A LOT and it freaking hurt so bad! I wasn't feeling any of the contractions before then. I still had use and feeling in my legs so that was awesome, I just couldn't feel any pain. BUT when I reach 9 cm the epidural just stopped and I felt it all. SO that wasn't fun. But I only pushed for 15 minutes and LO was here so it wasn't bad. The epidural didn't slow my labor down at all, it was 3 hours from 5cm to 9cm and 30 minutes after that to 10cm and pushing.

rachelb51212 · September 2015

I went in after 12 hours of labor at home and asked for it right away. The dr gave it to me after checking and seeing that I was 3 cm. she went ahead and broke my water and then I got the epidural. Best decision of my life! I could still feel the pressure from the contractions but there was no pain, and I only pushed for 12 minutes once I hit 10 cm. The nurse did start me on Pitocin right after I got my epidural just in case my contractions slowed. I was only in labor at the hospital for 5 1/2 hours before LO was born.

lnds30 · September 2015

I got mine when I got up to L&D from triage. I came in at a 5 and 100% effaced and my water had broken at home. I had considered in medicated but my husband could not stand to see me suffering and he was getting VERY anxious. The pain was pretty much unbearable anyway. Best decision I made! Labor was amazing and a very happy experience for me! Good luck!

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