To feel vindicated by the D of H report, which confirms midwives are withholding epidurals?

[RevolutionofourTime]

www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2020/mar/03/women-in-labour-being-refused-epidurals-official-inquiry-finds

I was denied pain relief during my first labour for no reason whatsoever. When I complained to the head of midwifery, she encouraged me to try a home birth next time. 🤨 I have also witnessed other women in maternity ward being denied pain relief.

Despite this, I have seen it argued here time and again that midwives are not acting as gatekeepers or withholding proper pain relief in labour.

This report confirms what many of us know.

I will be curious to see if this will lead to changes- more specifically, to adherence to the Nice guidelines that it’s never too early and never too late for an epidural in labour.

@RedRum27 I had an ok NHS birth. Went on for fucking hours and hours but not anyone's fault. There eqs a national shortage of diamorphine at the time ao I had pethidine, but no epidural. My baby was back to back, it was very painful but my midwives were lovely. I didn't want an epidural because I didn't want to stay in and have a catheter put in. Turns out I needed one anyway and you don't care about a catheter in the end!
Synto drip made labour very painful, I'm considering an epi next time round but I did enjoy the last 20 mins of pushing with no epidural, very liberating.

The only thing I wish had happened was that I coukd have started pushing when I first said I needed to, but I was with a student whilst my main mw was off seeing to an emergency. They were due to examine me in 2 hours. DH raised hell so they went and got somebody and then baby was born 25 mins later. But there ie a shortage of midwives so that couldn't be helped really, I just made it clear to DH he needed to talk when I couldn't and to be my voice.
My birth plan was 100% followed and they took good care of us.

Fwiw there was one point where I asked for the epidural and they said they'd go get me a leaflet on it and then if I still wanted it they'd get the anaesthetist.
DH distracted me as I previously said to him I didn't want one (family members had complications due to epidurals so I wanted to avoid one). I think they would have got it if I did still want it.

Maybe next time I'll go for one to experience labour differently instead of being a sweaty, tired, swearing mess. But I did enjoy feeling the head coming out (is that weird) as it was quite empowering. Do you still feel it?

Sorry for my many typos

If it were men giving birth, they'd all be boasting about how they needed 6 epidurals plus pethidine. And all before they were 2 cm dilated!

First word of of my mouth when I was asked about pain relief was epidural. The midwives went with it each time. It was said with a firm not up for discussion tone. Both births became complicated so it was worthwhile in the long run. Your birth, your decision.

Just spoken to DH about our experiences & I remembered how bloody frightening it was being in so much pain, in a hospital, in the 21st century, and the midwives NOT GIVING ME THE PAIN RELIEF. It was surreal really, and put me off having another child for a long time.

Being denied pain relief makes you feel very small and very alone.

For me this was not only when I was in labour (London) but there was a similar pain relief denial - following a c-section elsewhere.

@donkeyoatey, If it were men giving birth, they'd all be boasting about how they needed 6 epidurals plus pethidine. And all before they were 2 cm dilated!

Quite. I also think there would be way fewer men climbing the Everest/rowing across the Atlantic/walking a tightrope from the Shard or whatever.