Will an epidural make you dilate faster?

Question

Hello I have had two natural child births and am due with my third son and although I didn't feel the need to receive an epidural with my last two labors I have heard that an epidural can help you to dilate faster is this true? And what are you experiences with the epidural? I usually start dilating early at about 30 weeks and deliver at 36 weeks but during labor it takes me quite a long time to dilate so in your opinion do you think an epidural will help me with that? Thank you.

Answer 1

An epidural will not make the baby come faster.  If you have already had two natural births donn't start taking drugs now.  I had an epidural and it messed up my back.  It has been two month and I still get sharp pains in my back.  I wish I didnt have it now.  You already know what to expect.  Keep  up the good work and good luck.

Answer 2

No not necessarily. Mmost doctors won't call for an epidural until you're at least a 5. Most of the time getting the epidural slows down your labor! This happened both times with me. I was a 5 for 4 hours!!!! They ended up having to give me petocine to enduce and speed up my labor!

Answer 3

no, you only get the epidural at the end when the baby is just ready to come out - that's why the chemicals used in the epidural don't get transferred to the baby during that process.  It's only pain relief for you - it is actually a great pain relief if you have a bad labour but no, it doesn't help dilation.

Answer 4

No, usually it can slow it down (not by much though.)  Being induced with pitocin is what speeds it up big time, and gives you bigger contractions.  I had epidurals with both babies, and with both I also had the pitocin, so my deliveries went pretty quick.  With the first, my epidural sort of wore off half-way through, but with the second it worked perfectly and could still feel my legs, and could still feel when it was time to push.  I wouldn't get an epidural to try to dilate faster because for most women it can slow it down some, but for having an easy pain-free delivery, it's wonderful.