1) i ask for epidural when i am 3cm. it was too painful for me. it depend on the lvl of your pain tolerance.
2) yes, it last until the doc sew the cut.
3) you still can lie down flat without feeling, if you feel pain you can just press a thing for the epidural or ask the nurse to help you press
4) no pain when epidural kick in, you have to feel it in order to push the baby as there no contractions so you need to know when to push. the nurse and doc will guide you about it.
5) epidural will take out once doc sew it. you still can use it if you feel any pain when the cut or sew, just tell the nurse they will help.
Read more