its usually administered between 5-7 cm

Just throw a fit and they will give it to you when you want it. that's what I did! =)

I WAS READING ARTICLE THE OTHER DAY AND IT STATED THAT YOU CAN GET THE EPIDURAL WHENEVER YOU ASK FOR IT.THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF ANESTHESIOLOGISTS REVISED THE GUIDELINES ON GETTING A EPIDURAL































www.asahq.org

You do not have to dilated to any predetermined amount to have an epidural placed. According to the latest guidelines from the American Society of Anesthesiologists (and co-sponsored by the American Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology) the pregnant patient may request an epidural at any stage of dilation. A labor epidural DOES NOT slow the progress of labor, DOES NOT increase the chance of C-section and DOES NOT cause distress to the baby. These and other "old wives' tales" about labor epidurals have been and unfortunately will continue to be spouted by misinformed and ignorant lay people. Get the facts from your OB-GYN and the Obstetric Anesthesiologist at your hospital.