Getting an epidural early does not hurt

You do not have to reach a certain dilation first.

Across 9 trials and 15,752 women, early and late epidural placement produced essentially identical cesarean rates (relative risk 1.02). If you want an epidural, ask when you want it.

Where this comes from

Anim-Somuah M, Smyth RMD, Cyna AM, Cuthbert A. Epidural versus non-epidural or no analgesia for pain management in labour. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2018;(5):CD000331.
Sng BL, Leong WL, Zeng Y, et al. Early versus late initiation of epidural analgesia for labour. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2014;(10):CD007238.

Covered in the class

4Module 4. The epidural, in detailHow it is placed, what it feels like, what goes wrong, and the complications in real numbers.

Continue

Read this inside the full program, with the questions to take to your next visit and a record of what you have covered.

Obstetric Anesthesia Preparedness →

More from Pain relief

What labor pain is actually likeMost American women choose an epidural, and that number is rising. How American women manage labor painThree quarters use an epidural, and the gap by insurance is not about pain. The other optionsNitrous oxide, opioids, water, movement, and nothing. Nitrous oxide and intravenous opioidsBoth are options. Both relieve less pain than an epidural.

This page is educational. It supports the conversation with your own clinicians. It is not consent to any treatment, and it cannot assess you.