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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

Can you be 'too far gone' to have an epidural?

27 replies

muppetgirl · 13/10/2007 19:47

I realise this has probably been asked but I have heard of women being told they are too far gone to have an epidural.

What does that mean? Is it a decision based on how dilated you are?

I was induced 1st time round and G&A made stoned, pethadine made me horrendously sick but the epidural got me back together.

I am 37 weeks prgt with ds 2 and are not being induced (atm anyway!) and are adamant I would like to have an epidural to help me cope as I did not last time.

OP posts:

foxinsocks · 13/10/2007 19:50

I was told I was too far gone both times

and to be fair, I was!

(first time I was already 7cm. Second time, my waters had broken and I had just started contracting but they thought - based on first labour - that it would be quick and it was as ds was born within the hour)

MorticiasMother · 13/10/2007 19:51

I usually find that when the baby's head is hanging out of the fanjo, you're too far gone.

Was that helpful?

allhallows · 13/10/2007 19:52

My mum was apparently too far gone when she had me but I don't know the details.

MorticiasMother · 13/10/2007 19:52

Ok, when it starts to hurt, you'll have plenty of time to ask for an epidural.

Lulumama · 13/10/2007 19:55

if you are more than around 5 -6 then it might well be too late if you are a multip, as by the time the aneasthetist has got to you, sited the epi and it has started, you could well be fully dilated

it would depend how quickly you were progressing, and on your individual circs..but you can definitely be too far gone

there are other pain relief options

water, massage, you can have an anti emetic with the pethidine,

if you do want an epi, then ask as soon as you get there !

you might well be surprised how much quicker it is this time, and how much better you cope

also, an induced labour can be more painful as you are sort of thrown into it, with no natural buildup to get your endoprhins going, so that can make it harder to cope. also , if you were not that mobile, that can make labour longer and harder.

MorticiasMother · 13/10/2007 19:59

My 1st was painful and I had an epidural. For my second I said I wanted a homebirth, I was actually waiting for people to talk me out of it cause I didn't really want a homebirth but I just wanted to say that I tried to have a homebirth but I was told no and then I could be all indignant and stuff and people would say "oh well never mind, you were brave for trying" I mean I can't have a headache without taking a paracetamol! But to my horror my GP loved the idea and so did the midwife and I found myself being so far down the line that to change my mind would involve a loss of pride and working class people don't like losing pride, that's my biggest weakness. Henceforth I found myself in labour at home, doing breathing and stuff and before I knew it ds had pushed himself out with hardly any effort from me! Oh it was painful alright, but no more painful than it was first time round and much more comfy actually.

NCT classes I full recommend for putting you at ease and giving you info you never thought you would need, but you do. 4 of us went to those classes, 2 were adament they would have epidurals. None did in the end.

Original poster

muppetgirl · 13/10/2007 20:01

Thanks lulmama
Was going to be induced at 38 weeks as ds 2 is supposed to be big

-ds 1 was 9lb 1oz and I'm 5" 2, episiotomy, ripped anyway, ventouse was 11 days late.

Am now not being induced as of last week when sonographer told me that ds2 was 'full term and if I was having a cold dating scan she would say that my due date was that very same day' -I still had 4 weeks to go

Registrar has changed mind saying that 'the baby's healthy so we'll leave alone'

I am sooooo scared about having another big baby that I was clinging onto the induction and being able to control the pain with an epidural. And now I can't.

OP posts:

MorticiasMother · 13/10/2007 20:04

Biggest piece of advice I can give you on having a big baby is to let them work their own way down the birth canal. Don't do big pushes, no matter what your midwife says, do small, frequent pushes. I remembered this from my NCT classes and it saved me a very bad tear.

I had second degree tears with dd and she was only 6lb 14oz. Little pushes, let the baby do the hard work.

foxinsocks · 13/10/2007 20:06

aaaaahh I see why you are worried - you know those scans are quite often inaccurate so I hope they haven't scared you too much

Lulumama · 13/10/2007 20:08

i am sorry that you feel that induction and epi is the only way to cope. why not use the time left to read up a bit more about better positions for big babies? also, bear in mind, an epi can contribute to need for instrumental delivery, whereas being mobile and listening to your body will allow you to find the best position for you.

also, you have succesfully delivered a big baby.

and scans are not always accurate

if you are majorly concerend, go back to see registrar or ask to see consultant and talk about your fears.

Original poster

muppetgirl · 13/10/2007 20:09

I have heard that about smaller babies MM. I just didn't cope last time and are having flashbacks, panic attacks about the birth. I had pnd after ds1 and are still have psychology sessions and thought this was sorted by the 'we won't let you go full term promise' Now not only am I going full term but they have scared the sh*t out of me saying that he's big (they gave an estimated weight of 8lb 6oz last wed but I know thay can't predict weight correctly) he does have long legs (so did my first) but the growth scans I've been having every month have shown him be on the 95th percentile when he's born and that's based on actual measurement.

OMG am I scared....

OP posts:

foxinsocks · 13/10/2007 20:11

have you told the midwife how you are feeling?

Mungarra · 13/10/2007 20:12

Yes, you can be too far gone to have an epidural. If you have a quick labour or get to hospital too late, it can be way too late. Also some women don't get them because there is no available anaesthetist to administer it.

I'm sorry, but you can't rely on the idea of having an epidural, but you could ask as soon as you get to hospital.

MorticiasMother · 13/10/2007 20:12

NCT

Trust me, if anyone can reassure you then they can.

I was told ds was another small baby, possibly even smaller than dd was. He was a pound heavier as it happens.

Your body would not produce a baby you could not deliver naturally. Think about that poor woman who delivered a 15lb baby recently! You CAN deliver this baby and tbh the bigger the baby does not make any difference whatsoever to the pain. The contractions are all the same. Get in a good position (again the NCT are tops when it comes to birth positioning), get a birth ball, small pushes. I look forward to your birth announcement!

Original poster

muppetgirl · 13/10/2007 20:13

During my antenatal classes (with ds 1) we didn't discuss positions or breathing.

I just don't trust my body and equally, I don't trust my mind.

OP posts:

Lulumama · 13/10/2007 20:13

did oyu have a debrief after your first birth? really important you try not to take the hangover of your first birth with you

your second labour is often a totally different experience to the first

you need to talk to someone urgently about this, if not consultant then head of midwifery..

PSCMUM · 13/10/2007 20:15

I was too far gone with ds 1.

But they gave me one anyway!

To be fair, it was becasue I was screeching and shouting and threatening to sue people. But yes, it didn;t work until AFTER the birth, when my enitre left side went numb and if I tried to walk I fell flat on the floor.

I haven't had any more epidurals!

Honestly..i Know i sound like a joss stick waving hippy..but water is just the best. I have been in water for most of the labour with my second and third dcs and it was way better than my too-late-and-not-succesful-anyway eipdural!

Lulumama · 13/10/2007 20:16

oh honey, you need to restore your faith in yourself. have you done any inspiring reading? you might benefit from a birth debrief and some antenatel prep ( one to one ) with a doula.. a lot do that..

fawkeoff · 13/10/2007 20:18

i was "too far gone" with ds to have an epidural, but it didnt help that after pestering dp to take me to hospital(he didnt belive i was in labour)he told the midwife that i was having braxton hicks so she left me for nearly an hour without checking me......i was 8cms when she got round to it so was too far for epidural or pethidine, my labour was 3 and a bit hours from start to finish though so not bad really

Original poster

muppetgirl · 13/10/2007 20:18

I had told the midwife right at the beginning and she was so supportive and suggested the induction at 38 weeks. I was told at 33 weeks not to book another app with her as I was seeing the consultant at 36 after the final growth scan and she was convinced I would be induced. If I ring on Monday I won't get one for this week -they're always full - and might not for the next week when I'd be 38 weeks.

I'm really not a wimp!! Just a very scaed lady after an awful previous delivery (I was non communicative so my husband had to sign for the epidural and they were getting worried about me) then pnd. I never even thought I would have another child to be honest.

OP posts:

Chipstick · 13/10/2007 20:18

Muppetgirl - my first was 9lb 2.5oz and when I got to the hospital I was 8cm dilated - requested an epidural and had it within an hour - the midwife did try to convince me I was doing well without it but I insisted and had it.

My 2nd pregnancy was monitored closely due to previous over 4kg baby - had many growth scans and at 37 weeks he was off of their measurement charts and they could not put a size to him other than being enormous - was induced two wks early with lots of warnings of shoulder displacia/emergency C should he get stuck etc - I was petrified......he was 8lb 5oz!!!

I know it is easy for me to say don't worry but I wish you all the luck in the world

Lizzzombie · 13/10/2007 20:18

I was too far gone for one too, I waited for ages and ages for the aneathatist (sp) and then 2 hours into it, I was screaming at the MW....I NEED TO PUSH !
so I did.
and the baby came out....(eventually, with ventuse etc)
Tah dah!

Original poster

muppetgirl · 13/10/2007 20:21

I didn't have a debrief as I didn't know you could have one but I did ask the midwives when I had to attend hospital for monitoring about why I had a ventouse with ds1 as I was never told, they just did it. Apparently he was getting distressed so that's why. Also I was in labour for 27 hrs but the consultant said this was a good result for a 1st birth.

OP posts:

Original poster

muppetgirl · 13/10/2007 20:24

So to answer my own question it looks like there is no 'medical' point when you are too far gone, it's more the opinion of whoever is caring for you at the time.

OP posts:

Lulumama · 13/10/2007 20:27

well, it is partly to do with who is caring for you, but there is a point where you are too far, but it is totally subjective and based on how quickly things are going, so it is not a one rule fits all.. i would urgently call hospital, and push for appointment, and discuss again the reasons you wish to be induced.. and say what you have said on here.. you can onyl ask !

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