Epidural at start of labour?

[BlissedOut]

Hello, asking on behalf of a family member. She had a very traumatic birth with her last child (now 3) and her husband is wanting another, but she is terrified, she is wanting to know if it's possible to have an epidural straight away when she arrives at the hospital.

Any ideas?

[myhusbandswife]

As far as I am aware they usually dont give them untill 4cm (established labour) otherwise it can stall labour. However I had the opposite experience. My epi relaxed my bosy so much I dilated quickly.

Maybe she can discuss her concerns and fears with her care giver and they may be able to give her the epi on arrival

[CookiesRYum]

As PP mentioned I thought it was around 4cm, but my friend is so afraid of birth and my sister is a midwife and told her to get one as soon as she gets to hospital - but perhaps that assuming you would be around 4cm on arrival?

or perhaps they can top it up if you get it early?

Hope they come up with a solution they happy with?

Perhaps she could talk to a councellor to help process her past trauma...

[Mrs Molly Coddle]

I was induced with my son. I was 3cm dilated but wasn't in labour, just from a lot of stop and start prelabour.
Anyway I said before they started the induction that I would probably end up wanting an epi and they said "well the anaethetist is free now so we can do it before we start" and so I had the epi before the drip was started or my waters were broken.
Def worth asking IMO.
HTH

[bonno]

I was offered an epidural when my cervix was barely 1cm dilated. I had been having contractions for 24hrs with initial contractions at 10mins apart and for about 7hrs prior to the epi they were 3 - 4 mins apart. The midwife suggested an epi to help me sleep as I had a long way to go. I don't know if I would have had the epi that early again, as after 9hrs the epi stopped working. No matter how much they kept topping it up, I could feel contractions in my hip and cervix / vagina.

I think it just depends on the hospitals procedures, it may be worth her checking with the hospital she plans on birthing at.

[Mrs Nietzsche]

I was induced for my last baby and had an epidural when they started the synto. If the epidural didn't work I would have walked out.

I asked the doctor if it was okay to have an epidural so early and he said yes, and if he was having a baby that's what he would do. (lol)

[BlissedOut]

I was induced for my last baby and had an epidural when they started the synto. If the epidural didn't work I would have walked out.

I asked the doctor if it was okay to have an epidural so early and he said yes, and if he was having a baby that's what he would do. (lol)

LOL! Thanks.

I will let her know, she's not UTD yet, she is holding off TTC because of her fears related to the first time.

I suggested she explore a private c-section as an option.

I will pass this on to her though, thanks ladies.

[puah]

I would suggests she works through her previous birth experience before trying to concieve. What happened last time ?

She also needs to research and explore the benefits and disadvantages of getting an epidural before labour is established.