if you got an epidural, at what stage of labor did you choose to get it (in terms of hours and cm dilated)?
my water broke and contractions started right away at 1 minute each, less than 5 minutes apart. when i got to the hospital a couple of hours later, i chose to get the epidural. i was 4 cm dilated.
how about you?
pomelo / 5678 posts
I went to the hospital when I was at a 6 because I needed antibiotics for 4-5 hours prior to delivery. I got a walking epi right before delivery at 9.5.
grapefruit / 4400 posts
With C-- I was induced, started pitocin and contractions around 8:00am. Dilation was stalling, so I got my epidural around 6:00pm at 4cm. Quickly got to an 8 in about an hour after that.
With H-- went into labor at home and got to the hospital around 2:00am. Got checked and was at 8cm, got the epidural right away.
GOLD / wonderful olive / 19030 posts
I got it around 4 cm, only because the doc said "I'm going in for back to back to back C-sections if you want it, better get it now" so I was like hell yes give it to me, I was too scared not to get it. My water was broke for about an hour before (I was induced.)
clementine / 918 posts
I went to the hospital when I was at 4 cm, labored for a few hours there (like 4-5 hours) and got the epidural when I was almost 7 cm. I wasn't completely dilated and ready to push for another 5 hours.
pear / 1693 posts
water broke and contractions started immediately, 1 min long, 1.5-3 min apart. After 11 hours of that I got the epi. I was 2.5 cm.
kiwi / 742 posts
I called for the epidural when I was about 6cm. By the time I got it (40 minutes) and it kicked it, 10 or so minutes later, I was ready for pushing. That was hour 7 of labor.
GOLD / wonderful coconut / 33402 posts
I got to the hospital at 10, no contractions, just my water had broken. Was close to a 2cm. Around 3 in the morning, I was at a 5 or 6 and I got it. I was shaking and freezing, and the epidural stopped that. If only it helped me get some sleep.
nectarine / 2217 posts
9.5 for LO#1 (they took a loonnng time getting it in!)
and 8 or 9 for LO#2.
they were both fast labours and I basically pushed right after the epi kicked in.... the only reason I can say that pushing was my favourite part! no pain at ALLLLL 
kiwi / 728 posts
When I got to the hospital, I was at a 5 and they asked when did I want an epidural? I said now. Sooo I had it about an hour later? After I got my iv and a bag of fluids. I was at a 6 when they placed it. I'm glad I did it then because my labor progressed pretty quickly for a first timer!
pomegranate / 3791 posts
It was after 15 hours of early labor and 6 hours of active labor. I was 3cm when active labor started, and when 6 hours later they told me I was almost at a 4...yeah, epidural all the way.
cantaloupe / 6059 posts
With my first I got an epi after 30 hours of labor and while dilated to a 9. I got one with my second 3 hours into labor and I was also at a 9. The thought of pushing without one terrifies me. 
blogger / pineapple / 12381 posts
7.5 cm. You might say why bother, but she was OP (sunny side up) and was absolutely necessary to get her out without a section.
papaya / 10343 posts
Got induced at 10am, contractions started in earnest around 12 or 1 and was very manageable. Water broke around 4 or 4:30 and thats when things started to seriously suck. Contractions moved from stomach to back, got a thousand times more intense, and were coming for 1 min long every 2 minutes. I made it until 6 when I asked for an epidural and they placed it about 630. Turns out I was only 2cm dilated but DON'T CARE bc holy back labor. And once they placed it things progressed really fast and I made it to an 8 by 10pm.
honeydew / 7235 posts
I labored at home for 8/9 hrs, then we drove to the hospital when they started getting bad. So maybe another hour later I had the epidural at almost 5cm.
nectarine / 2641 posts
3 cm, after 13 hours of extremely painful labor. Best decision ever.
wonderful grape / 20453 posts
Was induced the night before, went into active labor around 1 or 2am. Pitocin party.
Got an epidural at 9cm around 7am. Didn't deliver for about five more hours. 2.5 hours of pushing. I asked for it earlier, but it was during shift change, so it took awhile. STUPID STUPID STUPID
persimmon / 1147 posts
I asked for it at 4cm but the Anesthesiologist was either on call or tied up with other emergency cases. I waited what felt like forever (probably 45min to 1 hour) and finally got it at 7cm.
wonderful kiwi / 23653 posts
I was induced... By the time I was 3cm dilated it took like 8-10 hours! I wasn't even in that much pain but they said might as well just get it if I'm gonna get it!
cantaloupe / 6171 posts
I was induced and progressed sooo slowly. After 12 hours on pitocin the contractions were getting unbearable and I thought I had to be progressing, but I was still at a 4 
so I got the epi, took the best nap ever and fully dilated within 5 hours. Only pushed for 20 mins and it really didn't hurt at all but I could feel enough to know when to push. It was amazing! Next time I don't think I'll hesitate to get it earlier
hostess / cantaloupe / 6486 posts
8cm. Probably 3.5 hours of active, actually painful labor. I was induced, so I was starving, and coming off my "high" of the IV med I decided to try first...so I was shaking horribly and then my dad and DH started cracking jokes about how long and intense the contractions were on the monitor and I couldn't take any more. I could barely even ask for it I was in such bad shape!
pomegranate / 3350 posts
I was induced and was a 6 when they checked right after I got it. Second time I begged for it as soon as I got to the hospital but was ready to push so they wouldn't give it to me.
cantaloupe / 6164 posts
I had an induction. The induction started at 8ish. I got the epidural at noon. I was 5cm.
pomegranate / 3438 posts
Got to the hospital around 4:30am after my water sprung a leak and contractions started. I never timed my contractions while at home, I just knew they were getting closer together. When I got to the hospital and got hooked up they were coming every 2-3 minutes and lasting 1 min. Asked for the epidural at around 7:30 but the anesthesiologist was in a c-section so I had to wait (got some IV meds in the meantime that worked for maybe 10 min?). Finally got the epi at 9am and when they checked me right after I was 7cm. By 11am I was 10cm, labored down for an hour and then pushed for 3 hours.
cantaloupe / 6885 posts
I was stuck at 3cm for 20 hours. They wanted me to get to 4 before the epi, but when it was clear I was stalled they gave it to me.
5 hours later (and a glorious relaxing nap) I was compete and ready to push!
hostess / watermelon / 14932 posts
I got one as soon as I got to my L&D room..I was 10 cm and +3 station, ha. It was heaveeeen.
cherry / 240 posts
I was in labor at 4 cms with noticeable contractions for over 36 hours and super painful (stop and breathe through contractions) labor for another 12 hours before I got mine. They hadn't checked me for awhile and checked me right after the epi and realised I was at 9 cms already. Probably wouldn't have gotten it if I knew that before.
Her head was turned just a bit which kept her from dropping for such a long time. Next labor can only be better and easier then that right???
GOLD / wonderful pea / 17697 posts
5cm, but after 20 hrs of back contractions. I was desperate for the rest!
cantaloupe / 6634 posts
I can't believe how long everyone had to wait! Is there a reason why it takes so long to get one?
pea / 24 posts
@edelweiss: after 24 hours on pitocin and stalling at 7 cm for 2 hours. 15 minutes later was 9.5 cm, took 1.5 hr nap then pushed. Best decision ever.
cherry / 240 posts
@simplyfelicity: My whole situation was very out of the ordinary but I'm from a small town and the OR at my hospital was shut down for a week for renovations/upgrades and the 2 anesthesiologists were on vacation because of it, so no option for an epidural while there. They also couldn't give me Pitocin to get things moving because it increases the chance of a csection which they couldn't do there without the OR. So after 36 hours at 4 cms I finally got transferred 1.5 hours away to the next town. Once I got there I got the epidural immediately (sweet, sweet relief). But in the meantime the bumpy ambulance ride and/or time had done its job and I was at 9 cms and was pushing within an hour.
persimmon / 1095 posts
Induction started at 1am due to a water leak. Got an epidural at 9am after staying at 5cm for over 5 hours. Had a wonderful liquid breakfast and nap before pushing at 2pm.
clementine / 918 posts
@simplyfelicity: I went into labor with an open mind regarding whether I would get an epidural or not so I labored without until contractions starting coming one on top of the next and it was a lot to handle. I feel like it was the right plan for me and after the epidural I was able to sleep, but I definitely think it stalled my labor a bit. I plan to do the same this time, wait for the epidural until it seems too much and maybe with a faster labor, I won't need it at all. We'll see!
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