Epidural question

[Sarah85]

Ok know im like 30 weeks early but how soon in labour can you have an epidural? Lol that's such a whimp question isnt it haha.

 

[SunnySue]

As far as I know you can have an epidural at pretty much any time during your labour (providing the birth is not imminent!) but usually you wouldn't feel the need to have one until you are quite a way through and contractions are strong and close. I think it may depend on your midwife/hospital too as to what advice they give. I had mine at about 6cm I think? You should double check with your MW though. Hope this helps

 

[Sarah85]

Thanks hun im such a whimp would rather have it nice and early lol

 

[wifeywifey]

At the hospital I was at you couldnt have anything until 4 -5 cm but they dont do epidural so might have been different

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[Sarah85]

The midwife asked me would I like home birth, birthing centre or large labour ward I just asked where are the drugs I shall be there lol

 

[SunnySue]

The midwife asked me would I like home birth, birthing centre or large labour ward I just asked where are the drugs I shall be there lol

Clever woman LOL! Sounds just like me

 

[Sarah85]

Haha my friend said I won't "experience" labour having an epidural not being funny but er no I'd rather not be in agony if I can help it lol

 

[cosmicgirl]

Play it by ear would be my advice. I am a fan of Epidurals, it can make a scary experience a pleasant one for lots of ladies, that was my experience anyway. But you might not feel that you need it straight away, see how it feels for you x

 

[Mrs N]

They wont give you one till your in established labour which is when your over 3 cms dilated. I think I was about 5 cms dilated when I had mine, the best thing I ave ever done! i went from writhing to sleeping in about 15 mins!!
xxx

 

[Hunnie]

They gave me an epidural to break my waters and I wasn't in established labour and was only 1cm dilated. I say they gave me an epidural but it just ended up being a spinal block because they couldn't tell if they were injecting into bone or muscle. I was induced as well.

 

[katie_lou]

Would you not consider other pain relif first and use an epidural as a last resort . X

 

[misscrazycooki]

I had one at 2cms after begging with my first as I was in agony with being induced and it wasn't working. I then had to have a spinal on top of that as it broke just before going into surgery for my emergency section. Like another poster said usually 3cms and above when your in established labour as epidurals can hinder labour and stop it all together x

 

[babyem]

I'm hoping that I don't feel the need to have an epidural, it's scares the crap out of me x

 

[Mrs N]

Dont be scared about having an epidural hun, I was worried before I had mine as they tell you all these horror stories but it was fine and you cant see what is going on either so you dont have to look at the needle or anything!!
xxxx

 

[wifeywifey]

I'm hoping that I don't feel the need to have an epidural, it's scares the crap out of me x

Thats why I went to mw led unit so I didnt have a choice.

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[ISH]

I had one, I seem to remember they can't do it too early as there is a limited number of top ups you can have and there's a risk of being left drug-free during the worst bit.

I'm not positive, it was a bit of a strange experience! But SO happy I got the epidural, it was a lifesaver.

 

[Pudds86]

you need to be in established labour as it can slow things down x

Sent from my shit hot phone! Fo shizzle home girls.

 

[Dustbunny]

I had an epidural, I was 5 cms I think. They would have done it earlier but I put in my birth plan that I wanted to labour on gas and air and pethidine and not have an epidural so mw inisited on them things first lol. I was only allowed paracetamol and codeine till 3cms (I was induced) then everything was available to me.

I've never heard about only being allowed so many top ups though? I got the first one from the aneasthatist which lasted 2 hours then was topped up every hour by the ward sister till I was about an hour away from pushing.

 

[Mrs. KM]

With the epidural I had, I was in control of top ups and just pressed the button when I felt it was wearing. It did only allow a certain amount though so I couldn't do more than was allowed. I absolutely loved having an epidural. When you are in the middle of heavy contractions, you do not notice the epidural at all. Xx

 

[FirstBabyEek]

Sorry to chip in, but does the epidural hurt going in? Worse than having blood taken? I suppose if I feel I really need it I wont care about an epidural. I want to try on gas and air, but I dont want to rule out the posibility of an epidural if I really dont feel I can cope.
x