Epidural question

[PinkPunch]

I cant sleep tonight so thought I'd ask about epidurals!

I had a natural birth with my daughter with gas and air but I don't feel as mentally strong this time with my depression. I hope I can do the same this time but if not, I'll get an epidural. Anyway my quesion is, at what point in labour is it too late to get one? How many centimetres dilated do you have to be before it's too late?

Thanks!

 

[Sol]

No idea hun but I would be interested to know the answer too.

Mez

 

[JJ Mum]

I always had a spinal block, but it does seem to take 30 mins to set up and take effect once you have the anethatist in the room, so maybee it depends on the speed you are getting dilated by cm rather than the actual cm. If you have gone from 6-8 in 30 mins, and only had 2 more cm to do, maybee they would say no incase it only takes effect when you need to push most? (the labour ladies would have to help there tho).

You also need to sit still, and I guess if really bad stages of labour it must be impossible to do that for the antheatist?

Perhaps worth asking your hospital/midwife as I bet it depends on the area too