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:
189. 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.
190. Sng BL, Leong WL, Zeng Y, et al. Early versus late initiation of epidural analgesia for labour. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2014;(10):CD007238.
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This page is educational. It supports the conversation with your own clinicians. It is not consent to any treatment, and it cannot assess you. If you are worried about a symptom now, see urgent warning signs.