WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO ASK FOR AND EPIDURAL??

Question

WHEN WAS THE BEST TIME FOR YOU TO ASK FOR AN EPIDURAL? DID YOU FEEL THE BABY HEAD CROWNING WITH THE EPIDURAL? DID YOU TEAR?

Answer 1

I asked for the epidural about 5 hours into hard labor. I was admitted to the hospital at 12:30am for "observation"...I was 3 days past due and refused to go home so they gave me a shot of Nubane in the butt cheek for the pain and kept me lol. I woke up with contractions every 2 minutes at 2:30am and finally got the epidural at 7:30am.  I was only like 3 cm dilated and they didn't want to give it to me so early since it could have slowed down labor, but I begged and pleaded so they called the anesthesiologist to come.

I felt the crowning, which burned like h**l, and I did tear pretty badly. Had to get stitched back up. They massaged me but I still tore so I plan on asking for an eposiotomy this time as well. I am kinda glad I felt the crowning though, rather than being too numb and not feeling anything at all.

I was only 15 yrs old when I had my son so I was pretty naive about a lot of things back then, but have learned a lot and know that I have options during my delivery.  

Answer 2

I got the epidural at 10 cm, but that aws because I wasn't allowed to push yet (he was in a weird position and still high) but I couldn't stop from pushing so I got one.  I would have hurt him and myself otherwise.  

Normally they can give it to you after 4cm and before 8 cm.  You can tell them while your registering or you can tell them when your in labor.  It's up to you.  I felt a lot of pressure, and before you push they turn the epidural off because you need to feel some to know when to push.  It basically feels like a lot of pressure and the contractions aren't bad once they turn it off because you still have the meds in your body.  I didn't tear at all.  I think it was all the walking and pilates I did.  

Hypo, my labor was 5 1/2 hours, I did not have to do any recovering from the shot, did not have any side effects, I was not drugged and the epidural does not effect the baby.  The gas drugs do.  So your basing it off your and your friends opinions not facts.

Answer 3

You don't need an epidural. This is an injection into the spinal column and should not be routine.

You will feel so much better after your labor if you tough it out. You will not have to recover from the shot. I was amazed at how good and OK I felt right after my labor was over.

You baby will not be born drugged and you will both have a better first meeting. Also, because you can't feel anything during the epidural, you will probably labor much longer,which is more stress on the baby. I labored for 5 hours with my first child and 4 with my second, with only about half of that being really painful contractions, but my friend who had epis pretty much were at it for up to 36 hours.

Answer 4

You should ask for it when you are admitted to the hospital, so that they will know you want it.  I have had three epidurals.

I felt my son engage into my pelvis, but that's it.  I didn't tear with any of mine, but I did have an episiotomy with my son.

Answer 5

if you want one let the staff know quickly, as it can take time to get sorted, the midwife will advise best time, and you will know when you need it, you cant feel anything with an epidural

Answer 6

The doctor should ask you when  you are admitted if you are going to use it. This way when you are 3cm dilated they will just automatically do it. If they don't ask make sure you tell them because if your labor goes too quickly they won't be able to give you one if you are too dilated. You don't feel nothing when you have it as you are frozen from the waist down. I had it at 3cm and I didn't feel any contractions it was nice until later on for me.....but that is another crazy story.