When it comes to giving birth, few decisions are as personal as how to manage labor pain. Some expectant mothers know early on that they want an epidural, while others prefer to wait and see how their labor progresses.
One of the most common questions women ask is: How late in labor can a decision to get an epidural be made? The reassuring answer is that, in most cases, it’s not too late, even if labor is underway.
At the OB-GYN office of Alan B. Patterson, MD, in Coral Springs, Florida, patients receive compassionate care from a physician who takes time to listen and support each step in the pregnancy and delivery journey.
Dr. Patterson brings decades of experience helping women navigate childbirth safely and confidently, including guidance on options for pain management.
An epidural is a form of regional anesthesia that blocks pain in the lower half of your body, while keeping you awake and alert. During the procedure, an anesthesiologist inserts a thin, flexible catheter into the epidural space in your lower back.
Through this small tube, pain-relieving medication is continuously delivered to keep pain under control throughout labor.
Epidurals are the most effective form of pain relief during labor, according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). They allow women to remain comfortable and active participants in the birthing process while maintaining awareness.
There’s no single cutoff point for an epidural. In many hospitals, epidurals are typically placed once labor is active, which is around four to six centimeters of cervical dilation, when contractions are stronger and more consistent.
However, every labor is different, and if your labor is moving slowly, there’s usually plenty of time to request an epidural later. Even if you’re approaching the pushing stage, an epidural may still be possible if your anesthesiologist determines it’s safe and effective to do so.
That said, if labor is moving very quickly or you’re fully dilated and ready to push, there might not be enough time for the medication to take full effect before delivery. In these cases, Dr. Patterson and your delivery team can offer other evidence-based pain management.
The key takeaway is that you have options, and it’s never too late to ask for assistance in managing your labor and delivery pain.
Childbirth is unpredictable, and every woman’s experience is unique. Some patients arrive at the hospital already several centimeters dilated and progressing quickly, while others may labor for many hours before delivery.
It’s perfectly normal to change your mind about pain management as labor unfolds. Many women who plan to go medication-free later decide they’d prefer the relief that an epidural provides, and that’s completely okay.
Dr. Patterson believes strongly in patient-led decisions. His goal is not to steer you toward one specific approach, but to help you stay informed, comfortable, and supported no matter how your labor happens to progress.
Once the epidural is placed, its effects begin to take effect gradually within 10-20 minutes. You’ll likely still feel pressure and tightening with contractions, but the sharp pain will ease significantly. This comfort allows you to rest, regain energy, and prepare mentally and physically for delivery. Sometimes if you are too numb from your epidural and can’t push effectively, Dr Patterson will have your epidural turned off, which it takes a long time for the medicine to leave your body, so as it wears off you will feel more pressure and not pain, making it easier to push! Dr Patterson unlike most OBGYN doctors always pushes the entire time with his patients, instead of having only the nurse push, so with Dr Patterson, you have the advantage of a board-certified OBGYN and a labor room nurse both helping you push, which, in Dr Patterson’s experience, is the BEST WAY to help you push!
After your baby is born, the medication stops, and sensation typically returns within a few hours. Our team will monitor you closely during this time to ensure your blood pressure, mobility, and comfort remain stable.
The decision to get an epidural, and often when to get it, is entirely yours. What matters most is that you feel informed and supported in your choices. Our highly trained team is dedicated to providing you with the one-on-one attention and care you deserve.
Dr. Patterson works to ensure your labor and delivery experience is guided by expertise and respect for your individual needs. If you have any questions about epidurals, schedule a visit at Alan B. Patterson, MD, in Coral Springs, Florida, today.
