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I was induced and epidural was lifesaver at 6cm - blissful after that. But I always planned to have epi, and would always recommend I would say wait until you are actively progressing though

Pitocin is awful. But I know if many women who were induced but didn't get an epidural.

They are nice, though.

I think you just have to wait and see how you respond to pit and labor. I didn't feel the pit but once my water broke it all hot hard and fast so I got the Epi. Epi and peanut ball were great and it was easy and fast

I was hoping for a med free birth, but I knew that if I needed to be induced I would probably get the epidural. I think you should wait until you really feel like you need it, then get it if that's what you want in the moment. Good luck! You get to meet your baby soon!!

I had wanted a med-free birth so didn't want an epidural but got one after I only progressed to 4cm after 12 hours of cervidil and then 12 hours of pit. I just couldn't handle it any longer on my own. I ended up LOVING it! Took a great nap, and fully dilated in about 5 hours after. I could feel enough to know when to push and only pushed 20 mins, with minimal tearing. It ended up being a lifesaver for me, but I waited to see how I would handle it without

Good luck! For my second I was induced for IUGR. Was already dilated and effaced so doc just broke my water amd I never needed pitocin. Requested epi at 4 cm but didn't get it til 7 cm an hour before pushing! The 3 hours between requesting epi and getting it were hell.

Get it if you hurt! I wasn't induced and needed one.

@dc yoga bee: Best of luck!!!!

If you need it and are not progressing quickly, get it. Inductions can take forever. And they may be able to do more after you get one. I was induced and got an epidural when I was only 2 cm (but had been having painful contractions for about 6 hrs and horrid back labor for 1 min every 2 min for 2 hours) because I knew that I could not keep going at that rate for another 8cm. Them doing the epidural calmed me down enough they were able to do a foley catheter to dilate me to 4cm and from there I started dilating much faster. The only downsides of the epidural for me were 1) I did have some nausea (but they gave me meds to fix that) and 2) having to get a catheter (but that was not at all painful I just hated the idea that they were doing it).

I was given pitocin because labour stalled at 7 cm and I couldn't have an epidural because the doctor wasn't available. It was awful and I would never consent to that again if the epidural wasn't available. Having said that, I've heard stories where women are ok. So, go as far as you can and then get it. Maybe you'll be lucky.

I was induced due to meconium in my waters (which broke naturally). I wanted an epi, but got it really late and it didn't work. Coupled with being sick with the cold, it was rough (and an experience I hope to never have to repeat). Wishing you a quick and smooth L&D and a beautiful and healthy baby

YES. I was induced and it was awful! I got an epidural pretty early on. I highly recommend it! Also, it often takes longer if you're induced, and if you want to have any energy to push at the end of all of it, get the epidural so you can kind of sleep. I say kind of because the nurses were in my room every hour making me change positions!

Yes! I made it to 9cm's on pitocin and it was really hard compared to natural labor. I got the epidural just in time.

I hope everything goes well! My experience wasn't typical, obviously, but the induction part was. They used basically the equivalent of a foley catheter initially, and those contractions were fine. The pitocin, though, I would have given anything for an epi during that, even once they turned it all the way as low as they could. The contractions were right on top of each other. So I agree with those who say to wait and see, but in my experience if I have to be induced again all my plans for a med-free (well, pain med free, since pitocin is a med) birth will be out the window. Don't care how much we paid for the bradley classes!

With my first induction OB wouldn't start pitocin without an epidural on board. I was devastated as I wanted a med free birth.

With my second induction I wasn't able to feel contractions and then all of a sudden I had horrible back labor. My midwife strongly encouraged me to get an epidural stating that if it is back labor and I was in that much pain nothing but an epidural would help. They quickly ran a bolus of fluids and anesthesia was right in. While he was placing the epidural I was having so much pain and the nurse said something wasn't right. Well baby was right there! She was quickly delivered with anesthesia still in the room and the epidural didn't set in until just after delivery.

I'd stick it out as long as I could, but if you decided to get one there is no shame in that either.

@dc yoga bee: 3 days?! I'd recommend getting the epidural right as soon as you think you may want it. It only took me 7 hours from Pitocin to pushing and I was still really tired during pushing. I think if you're already exhausted from 3 days of waiting/contractions, pushing will end up being a rough experience.

@dc yoga bee: It took me 4 days, 2 cervadil pessaries and several "sweeps" to get to 1.5cm, just enough for the to break my water.

My nurse gave me the best advice during my induction: At around the time you're starting to think about wanting an epidural, ask for it because it will probably take the CNA at least 20-30 minutes to get to you and then there's the time it takes to put it in, etc. I did two hours of maximum pitocin dosage contractions and was like CALL THE CNA. It took him under 30 minutes to get there and get everything placed so I had an easy time, but I can't imagine having waiting an hour or more. After that, it was a breeze - until I needed an emergency c-section 12 hours later, but that was because DS got stuck.