If you're hoping for an epidural, when did u get to hospital

[bigboydiditandranaway]

MW has said when contractions are 5mins apart or when the pain is too bad.

When did you get to hospital and how many cm's dilated do you have to be and when is it too late?

Thanks in advance.

and sorry, how long do the contractions have to last for forgot to ask mw, or doesn't this really matter?

That's promising, i think your friend is lucky!

I'm 37wks now, ds was born at 37wks so sort of feel ready now, whether it will work out this way though i don't know!

My tummy has felt tightish all afternoon and it feel really uncomfortable when the baby moves especially when it's like it's embedding itself into my pelvis when i saw the mw yesterday she said it was 3/5 engaged and no idea when baby could be born, obviously no crystal ball at hand!

Hi,

I have the same question actually... from what I understand, I think it's important to get to hospital a bit earlier than you would do otherwise; because some times anesthetists may be busy & you will have to wait... and also because sometimes dilation will progress faster than expected, & in that scenario they may well be no chance to get an epidural (the experience hanaflower's friend had seems to be the exception rather than the rule I think). I'm planning to go when the contractions are, at the most, 5 mins apart. We'll start calling cabs earlier than that, in order to avoid having to rush.

If anyone knows more, let us know...

a lot depends on how many anesthatists are around!

once you are having ctx every 5 mins, lasting a minute, odds are you are in established labour, especially if you are having to concentrate on them, breathe and close your eyes through them

after 3 -4 cm and before 8 cm would probably be a good time

Even though i've already had one child i still feel like it's a bit of the unknown!

I'll just have to wait and see what goes on and take it from there!

Thanks for your replies

I wanted to have one however was too late as was 9cm when I got to hospital. Had been in labour for about 4 hours. Just remember that things don't always go to plan

No they don't i quite agree nik, but if there is an opportunity to have decent pain relief, i'm having it believe me!

I had one as soon as I had one as soon as I got to hospital. I don't recall how far apart my contractions were although for me to be at the hospital they were probably about 5 minutes apart. The MW was more interested in how far I was dilated and whether this indicated labour was established. Thankfully I was 4 to 5cm which she said was about the minimum.

It wore off at the pushing stage and they didn't want to top it up again so I doubt I would have got one at that stage. However, they also gave me something to speed up the contraction at that time and it really hurt so I insisted they top it up...loudly!!

do they need the aniethitist?? to do that or can the nurses do it?

First birth I had one when I was 5cm dilated but contractions were all over the shop - stayed at 5cm for best part of 12 hours even with the hormone drip that is supposed to get things going.

Had hugh probs with fluid retention and was told it was as a consequence of being inactive for so long - I looked like the Micheline Man and sweated so much I had to put two towels in the bed at night, every night for two weeks after the birth. Horrid.

Second time round managed to labour with nothing until I was was rushed in when I was starting to push and it was suddely realised I was breach and ended up with spinal block for a C-section.

Having done it both ways I have to say I wouldn't necessarily opt for an epidural again. I'm not saying don't have one just maybe keep an open mind and see how you go. Being upright and able to move about in labour REALLY helped me second time round. mind you, I was able to go to sleep for three hours in the middle of my first labour & I don't suppose many can say that

Yes i know what you mean about keeping an open mind but just feel scared about pain of labour and if i could have an epidual to stop it then that would be great, although as you say it isn't always that straight forward!