(induction) Epidural before or after they start pitocin?

Question

My induction is set for March,6 and my due date is February,27 but I was wondering if I should get an epidural before they start the pitocin or after? My friend said she got the epidural before they started the pitocin and she said she felt nothing through the whole process.. whats your opinions on this ?

Answer

IF I have to do picotin, I will request the epidural earlier or at the same time.  Personally.
 
You can control the dosage of the epidural, so I am not worried about it wearing off.  Picotin just increases the contractions (and pain) to a point that I prefer just have the epidural at the same time rather than having to wait an hour for the anesthesiologist to get there.

Answer

I suggest waiting till you can't take the pain any more. They gave me mine too early thinking I would progress quickly and I ended up needing a csection because I wouldn't dialate past 4cm and because I was on the epidural so long, i felt the entire procedure. Worst experience of my life. I literally felt like I was being ripped in half. Not saying this will happen to everyone but with my other births I waited till I was about 6cm and I didn't feel the rest of the labor or birth at all.

Answer

I was induced a week ago. Started pitocin at noon on 2/14.
I was only 1 cm and 50%effaced my water broke which is why I was induced.  I wanted to hold off on thr epidural until I was much closer. I labored throughout the night without pain meds. It didn't start to hurt badly until about 9pm. I held out until 5am Wednesday. Exhausted and spent I requested the epidural after we found out I was only 2 1/2 cm!!! It took an hour to actually get the anesthesiologist and by then I was desperate. Got the epidural and almost instantly felt relief. It was magical. I semi slept from 6am to 9am and by 9am I was 9cm! 
By noon I was 10cm. One contraction and three pushes and a cry/laugh later and my tiny baby (5lbs 15 oz) was out.

So long story short...I'm glad I didn't get the epidural right away but I wish I got it a little earlier. I would say labor a few hours until contractions become regular and painful and then request it.

Answer

After, I don't want to risk it wearing off by the time I push. I also don't want to be numb with a catheter in longer than I have to.

(induction) Epidural before or after they start pitocin?

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