“Why can't you get an epidural after a certain point?”
I am a 27 year old female. I want to know why can't you get an epidural after a certain point?
3 Answers
The best time is when the woman requests it. No more than 3 or 5 cms. 8 cms is too late because it will take time for the effect and you will be in expulsive stage.
There is no reason other than a lazy anesthesiologist, unless you are complete and ready to push.
Among pregnant woman in active labor, those with prior vaginal deliveries and those with cervical dilations greater than 8 cm can progress to complete cervical dilation with a strong urge to push their baby out very quickly. In order to receive and epidural anesthetic safely, it requires the mother to remain nearly motionless in a sitting position, curled up, and for a sterile preparation and draping of her back even before beginning the procedure. Even if the epidural insertion only takes a minute or two, the multiparous mother having a strong urge to push cannot resist this urge and may attempt to change her position and begin pushing with the epidural needle in her back. This poses a serious risk and requires rapid removal of the needle and abandonment of the procedure. This why epidural anesthesia is avoided in advanced stages of labor near delivery.
