Doctors have to wait until the cervix is at least 4 centimeters dilated before doing an epidural. Otherwise, the epidural will slow the process down too much. However, once the cervix becomes fully dilated it is too late for an epidural to be given.
A woman can get an epidural at almost any time in labor if she can remain relatively still; however, an epidural is generally not given if the baby is close to being delivered.
The active phase
Your cervix is also dilated around 4 to 7 centimeters. Someone who has never given birth before may be in active labor for around three to six hours; a person who's done it before might take one to three hours.
You may request an epidural at any time during your labor. However, it is important to remember that it may take up to 15 minutes to experience pain relief from an epidural. In late first stage of labor when women have more intense pain, a spinal or combined spinal- epidural (CSE) technique may be performed.
Transition typically lasts 30 minutes to 2 hours as your cervix fully dilates from 8 cm to 10 cm. Contractions will last roughly 60-90 seconds with only 30 seconds to 2 minutes between.
During the active stage of labor, your cervix dilates from around 6 cm to the full 10 cm. (The last part of active labor, when the cervix dilates fully from 8 to 10 cm, is called transition.) This process takes about 5 to 7 hours if you're a first-time mom, or between 2 and 4 hours if you've had a baby before.
“It's never too early and never too late, if that's what a woman wants,” he says. “An epidural can be effective within 25 to 30 minutes of an anaesthetist walking into a hospital room. It's also not true that anaesthetists can't give epidurals to women having contractions because they move around too much,” he adds.
Some women report feeling pressure, tingling or momentary shooting pain when the epidural is being administered. If you're lucky (and many women are), you might not feel a thing. Besides, compared to the pain of contractions, any discomfort from a needle poke is likely to be pretty minimal.
With an epidural, you might be able to feel contractions — they just won't hurt — and you'll be able to push effectively. There is some evidence that epidurals can speed the first stage of labor by allowing the mother to relax.
The first stage of labor is the longest and involves three phases: Early Labor: The onset of labor until the cervix is dilated to 3-6 centimeters. Active Labor Phase: Continues from 3 cm until the cervix is dilated to 7 centimeters.
Toward the end of the first stage of labour, your cervix will be about 7cm to 8cm dilated. A lot of women find this the hardest, most painful part of giving birth and you might feel like you are out of control. If this happens to you, don't worry: it's totally normal.
Once the cervix has reached 10 cm, it is time to push the baby out. Contractions continue but also produce a strong urge to push. This urge might feel like an intense need to have a bowel movement. This stage can last anywhere from a few minutes to a few hours.
The potential for a quicker labor, delivery and recovery – For some people, a natural birth may go more quickly. While it depends on several different factors, like how relaxed you may be, in some cases medications can interfere with contractions and prolong labor.
You can have an epidural at any time from the beginning of labour, but most women who choose one have it when they're around 5cm dilated, when contractions get more intense and painful.
Because, contrary to what you may have heard, nearly every study conducted since the early 1990s has shown that, in and of themselves, epidurals do not raise your chances of a C-section.
“They do not,” says Neely. “Older studies suggest that epidurals cause women to push less effectively and cause labor to last longer. It was thought that if an epidural was placed before 4 centimeters dilated, it would cause a woman to need a C-section for delivery.”
According to a survey conducted by the American Society of Anesthesiologists, around 50% of birthing parents between 18 and 39 said that contractions were the most painful part of labor and delivery.
Pain During Labor and Delivery
Pain during labor is caused by contractions of the muscles of the uterus and by pressure on the cervix. This pain can be felt as strong cramping in the abdomen, groin, and back, as well as an achy feeling. Some women experience pain in their sides or thighs as well.
The cervix must be 100% effaced and 10 cm dilated before a vaginal delivery. The first stage of labor and birth occurs when you begin to feel persistent contractions. These contractions become stronger, more regular and more frequent over time.
The cervix generally needs to be dilated to 10 centimeters before it's ready for the baby to pass through. Your cervix can be dilated to a couple of centimeters for a few weeks before delivery. This softening can cause the mucus plug to be dislodged and come out.
Ellson explains that movement can boost oxytocin, which will lead to stronger contractions and quicker cervical dilation. In other words, as those regular contractions start to kick into gear, consider doing some low-intensity exercises to dilate the cervix faster, or just go for a walk while you still can.
The second, pushing phase of labor continues after the cervix is fully dilated (open) to 10 cm until the delivery of your baby. It averages 4 to 8 hours but can be as short as several minutes.
"Lying on your side, standing, sitting, walking, rocking—anything that keeps you active can help decrease pain and speed up labor," says Dawley. Other benefits of upright labor positions include: Reduced need for medication. Help in dilating your cervix and widening your pelvic opening.