Epidural and Induction Question

[axoknp1885]

So, I am being induced tomorrow. With DS1, I waited too long (10 hours) to get the epidural as I was trying for the natural approach and also concerned that the epi would prolong an already long labor. As it turned out, it actually sped up labor for me. B/c of how low I was carrying DS1, I was feeling the urge to push at 5 cm, so was having to tense my body to prevent pushing which was impeding the contractions from doing what they were supposed to- so I got stuck at 5 cm for several hours and then again stuck at 7 cm for several hours. Once I got the epi, it took just 2 hours to go from 7 to 10 cm.

So, anyway, I am carrying this little man very low as well- perhaps even lower than DS1. I am concerned about the same experience repeating itself.

And I am wondering what people's experiences with getting epis with inductions has been. I definitely don't want to get it too early and risk not having full strength for pushing- especially since LO is measuring about 8.5 lbs now whereas DS1 measured only 7 lbs 2 oz and took 3 hours of pushing. But, I also don't want to wait too late and then not be able to get an epi given that pitocin may make labor progress faster than with DS1.

If you were induced and got an epi, when did you get your epi? How did that work for you? I know everyone is different and the decision has to be completely mine, but wanted to at least see what others may have experienced to help me decide.

Kristen

[Nurse2008]

I was induced at 40 weeks and I got my epi at 4cm. For me the epi didn't work as well as it should of, but I progressed just fine and started pushing after about 10 hours of labor. Unfortunatly pushed for 3.5 hours and had a c-section. The pitocin contractions are extremely painful so I wouldn't wait to long.

[hopeful1]

My induction was started around 5pm, and I was about 2-3 cm when I was admitted. Doc broke my water around 5:30 and I started contracting on my own then. I got my first epidural at about 9:45 and I was dilated to about 4 or 5 by then and it was starting to get pretty uncomfortable. He did not get it in the right spot, and I did not get any relief and the contractions were getting stronger because of the pitocin. A nurse anesthetist removed the initial epidural and placed a new line and I had relief within 10 minutes that time and couldn't feel a thing. I continued to progress well after that and by midnight was fully dilated. I didn't start pushing until about 1am, DS had to move down a little farther, and he was born at 1:50 am. So all in all, I was pretty please with my experience (except for the initial epidural, but once that got fixed everything was peachy.) My hospital didn't have any "rules" about when you could get an epi. I had asked the nurse around 8:30 pm when I could get it, although I wasn't terribly uncomfortable yet. She said "anytime you want, honey, you just tell me."

[CAAinMN]

I was induced at 41 weeks. Went in at 7am, had baby at around 1030pm. I got my epidural when i was 5cm and started to really feel the contractions.

[haydensmom]

I've never been induced but wanted to send HUGS!

[caitlinsmommy]

I wasn't induced at first, but had to get pit to speed things up when stalled at 6cm forever, had DD at 41 weeks. I had an epi at 6-7cm and it sped things up for me quite a bit (but I also added pit to the mix so that's probably what really did it).