Epidurals.....how early on can you have one?

[OzJo]

Dear All,
I'm 33 weeks pregnant, and I'm a bit unclear on this, and seem to be getting different answers to this question.
Is it possible to have an epidural at a relatively early stage? Or do you have to have progressed past a certain point? Can they have the needle put in in advance so it's ready to go, ie, so they don't have to wait till you're in the throws of contractions every 2 minutes?
I have a 2 year old daughter, and her birth was horrendous, eventually ending up with an emergency C section, after a failed attempt at a home birth, an epidural that I'm surprised didn't paralyse me and reduced my partner to tears watching the 5 attempts to get it in...and it was then ineffective for the surgery ( had been great at getting rid of the contraction pain though).
This time home birth isn't an option, but so far the baby is facing the right way, (last time was posterior), this time I know to make damn sure they do a spinal block if I need another C section. I would love a normal delivery, would love to avoid an epidural if I can, but really want to know all my options.

I asked about this to OzJo and they wouldn't put it in early, why I'm not sure as the nurses just top it up.
They do advise the further along you are the less the epidural will impact on progress but then if you wait too long you might not get it before birth.
Probably worth talking in a bit more detail to your hospital on one of your appt's.
Good luck for it all!

I thought you had to be in established labour (at least 3cms dilated) before they would do the epidural. I was told to ask for it as soon as I wanted it as it takes about 40 minutes to set up and work.

Hi OzJo, I was 3/4cms dilated before they gave me my epidural with the birth of my daughter. I was told that given it before this it could slow down the labour. Before I went into labour I thought I could get it asap, but that was not the case. Good Luck to you.

Thanks folks, think I'll have to ask at the next Drs appt, see if there's a hospital policy about it, otherwise it's probably pot luck as to who's on duty on the day you go in...plus what else is going on, how busy the anaethatist is etc, etc.

batters, how did you manage that?

God, I'm amazed anyone had the wherewithall to know how dilated they were before asking for one. OzJo, I'm sorry I don't know the answer to your question, but like kid I would be amazed if they were willing to pre-empt your pain. Only useful thing I can remember is get in first, before they ask you if it's wearing off.

Once my epidural had been done, I helped DH do a crossword and forgot all about the pain! Ended up having a section too, despite fully dilating. DD decided to be nosey and was brow presentation.

There was a report published recently in The NEw England Medical Journal. It concluded that there was no effect on the length of labour if the epidural was given before you are 4cm dialated - as was previously thought.

It might be worth having a look for this article (I'll have a look for you) and reading the research. Then you can discuss it with your midwife/consultant.

Article

Some papers have misrepresented the research. The research compared women having epidurals early in labour with women having other drugs (i.e. Pethidine) and concluded the early Epidural did not prolong labour nor increase the likelihood of c-sections. It is not comparing early epidural outcomes to women who have no pain relieving drugs.

Thankyou for the article! I have printed it out, and shall pack it into the hospital bag. It's reassuring stuff! I've already had a couple of gloomy midwives predict another C section if I had an epidural. Think I'll email it onto a couple of pregnant mates.

I hope you manage to get what you want. When is your baby due?