UK mums mainly....induction and epidural...when is it given?

[butterfly5]

I have agggges to go I know but in the UK when they induce you when do they offer the epidural or when can you request it?

Thanks

 

[special_kala]

You have to be in active labour which is 4cm

 

[Irish Eyes]

I was never offered it after being induced, I was only offered paracetamol. If its something you're considering then make sure your birth partner is aware so they can make sure it happens. There can often be a delay from when you ask to when it arrives.

 

[third time]

Hospitals tend to induce between 10 and 14 days after due date, unless medically you need to he induced sooner! I was induced and after 2 and a half days they finally decided to break my waters and put me on a drip to start stronger contractions, my body wad not ready for labour at all! I had the epidural after asking three times as I'd written I didn't want it,but I don't think you'll be offered it. Like a pp said, it's a good idea to have discussed things like that with your birthing partner so they know what to push for x

 

[Eleanor ace]

I was induced and I wasn't offered an epidural. I didn't want or ask for one though. I know that at my hospital (and I think its pretty standard) you can get one once you're in active labour (4cm)

 

[mwaah]

I was induced, they broke my waters then put me on a drip. By 4 cm i was in so much pain they offered me an epidural even though in my birth plan I wrote I didnt want one.

It didnt work though (1 in 3 dont!!) and I ended up with a spinal block xxx

 

[smileyfaces]

When you are in active labour you will either be offered or will have the chance to request.

 

[scottiejunior]

You don't have to be 4cm- one ur waters have been broken you can request one (they won't offer).

I was induced at 40+10, my waters were broke at 9am (I was 2cm) I had the epidural in by 10am. I requested it straight away and they can't refuse you.

 

[scottiejunior]

Btw my lo was born in doncaster (south yorks)

 

[butterfly5]

thanks girls my birth partners know to demand one with me....I want one as soon as everything kicks off because I am a baby!

 

[Dawnlouise30]

As everyone else says you have to ask for it. I asked for one (don't know how many cm i was) but they said they had to do blood tests first ( not sure if this is routine or not) and by the time they had done all that the labour had progressed and became an emergency situation so i ended up in theatre with a spinal. I guess if you want it request it as soon as possible in case there is a delay in getting it to you.

 

[dan-o]

My hospital don't offer an epidural as a rule, you have to ask.
I was asking for one when was in transition, but obviously it was wayyy too late by then lol!!!

 

[Irish Eyes]

My midwife said about the most common phrases during transition are "I want an epidural" and "I think I've shit myself" we're obviously so classy during labour!

 

[butterfly5]

I am sooooo gonna bang on for it

 

[justkitty]

I planned not to have one but after over 24hrs of labour and 8 hours on the drip dilating half cm every 4 hpurs I asked for one at 4cm as I calculated another 16+hours of labour. It was amazing, allowed me to rest and I dilated much faster. It was pants being told to push and that took 3 hours but it was all okay. It is the least likely to affect your baby out of all pain meds (excl gas n air).
I do have slight bladder prolapse now but it's getting better and been told ots the pushing not the epi tjaty causes it x

 

[ppgirlsteph]

I asked for mine as soon as they wheeled me to the delivery suite and the midwife said 'what were you thinking in the way of pain relief?' ! They still didnt give it to me straight away though as I was waiting around for them to break my waters first and then had to wait for the anaesthetist x

 

[Numero_uno]

Mine asked if I wanted one as I was in a lot of pain when the hormone drip was wacked to the max, I said yes but couldn't have it anyway as the anaesthetist wasn't available then and when he came available I didn't want it anymore!

 

[Clarabell543]

I had the induction process started at 40+10 had pessaries for two days until my waters broke on their own and they started the drip at 40+12. I requested the epidural as soon as they started the drip which they attempted several times but it didn't work. I did not have to be in active labour.

 

[Clarabell543]

I had the induction process started at 40+10 had pessaries for two days until my waters broke on their own and they started the drip at 40+12. I requested the epidural as soon as they started the drip which they attempted several times but it didn't work. I did not have to be in active labour.

 

[minnieoxox]

I was induced but as soon as they broke my waters I had full strength contraction so I could of had one from about 3cm but I didn't want one and managed to cope for 6 hours when they told me I was still only 5cm so I gave up an had an epidural lol. They pretty much let you do what you want in my experience.