When did you have your epidural?

[BrassHorses]

I'm a wimp when it comes to pain and really want an epidural during labour. I think I'm in early labour now. One of my fears is having to be in pain I can't cope with for a long time and I know you can't have an epidural too early or too late. Does anyone know at what stage you are allowed one?

@BrassHorses sorry I can't be of help but didn't want to read and run. I'm due mine in August and I know I definitely want one but don't want to leave it too early of late in case it wears off during the pushing process.
Good luck to you, nurses will be best to ask as they'll know how long you've got xx

I went to hospital at 4am. Was only slightly dilated. Had epidural at 7am.
It was the best thing I ever did.
Good luck!
(Dd born 9am)

After 6 hours after I asked for it.

I was very lucky in that the anaesthetist was stood there ready and waiting when I was offered one. I had been in labour for a long time and it wasn't progressing, hadn't slept for days and I was in agony, the midwife and anaesthetist actually suggested it so I could get some sleep before delivering. Fell asleep straight away and was woken up when it was time to push!!

I was 6cm (gone in to get 'induced' 24hrs after waters broke) and one midwife told me I didn't need one so I asked another midwife who got me one 15mins later

I was induced around 1pm on the Saturday and got it around 6:30am the following day. Baby was born at 9:55am.

Just a tip, they run out! Turns out that for me, I could still feel everything but it certainly eased the pain. It did however run out in time for pushing / episiotomy / stitches etc so make sure yours is topped up in plenty of time. (I didn't realise and it happened fairly quickly with intervention etc).

Good luck xx

You can have one once you are in active labour (so 4cm and contracting regularly). Sometimes if you're being induced and they're planning on starting the syntocinon drip you can get one put in before they start that even if you're less than 4cm. It does depend on the anaesthetist being available though, and not tied up in theatre etc, so once things get going for you, ask early if you want one!

Got mine after 7 hours of labour in hospital (did 8 hrs at home). Was still only 1cm and they were about to start me on the drip

3cm. They'd just broke my waters and wanted me to wait 2 hours, told them to fuck right off and got one straight away. Baby born about 9hrs later, mine didnt run out...

I'll be asking for one asap this time.

9cm! I was transitioning, but told them I was keeping my legs crossed until i got one. My poor Ob ran up and down the theatres until he found an anaesthetist. My midwife told me I was too late and would not have had one if not for having a private ob. Good thing too, had a clitoral tear...not something you want to feel being stitched up...

The midwives offered me an epidural straight away (I was put on the induction drip as I wasn't progressing at all after my waters had broken) but I said no as I wanted to see how I got on first as I'd been having contractions on and off for a few days and found them fairly manageable. After several hours I was getting tired and progress was still very slow so they suggested it again and I said yes. Best thing I did! I ended up with an EMCS but I was so grateful for the epidural at the time. I'd have one again without hesitation.

I could be wrong but I think you/your birth partner can ask when is the last opportunity you'd be able to have one and make sure the midwife tells you so you don't leave it too late. I had no problems at all with mine as they suggested it to me rather than me asking, but I know of others who had to keep requesting it until they got one.

Good luck!