When is too late

[finallypregnant]

for an epidural?

you can have an epidural any time until you can see the baby - but if youre getting close most m/ws would actively discourage it as you will be pushing soon and its only going to delay things.

As a midwife I always feel that its not me going through the pain though and although I would really help you to get through it without, I would support your decision if you really wanted one even at fully

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I could have done with one for the after contractions. Pretty sure it was too late by that stage though.

I was told they would only do them between 4 and 6 cms, then they said 'ooh but if you let us hook up this syntocin you can have one now'

It seems they may be a moveable feast. But they take up to 20 mins to take effect in any case, and that's if you can get the person to come put it in immediately.

I'm having an epidural for the conception next time and leaving it in till the little bugger starts school.

i had one fully dilated as it was a ventouse delivery and it took effect instantaneously

macaco - you would have had a 'spinal/epidural' then, where they inject a little anaesthetic into the spinal fluid before siting the epidural (which puts a bigger volume of anaesthetic into the epidural space). Doesnt always work, but if it does you get almost instant relief. They dont always tell you that they have done it either but it is safe and just a variation on the standard epidural really.

Not all hospitals do this type (called a 'Combined Spinal Epidural' or CSE if you are looking at your notes)

when doctor came in to give me mine I was cuddling ds. He took one look and wheeled trolley straight out again! Then it all went pear shaped but thats another story!

i was told 8cm but with one of mine i had it 2 hours after fully dilated because DS was stuck and I was in agony! They used the ventouse in the end.