If you want an epidural, how far would you travel?

[Goldrill]

Apologies in advance for the long post and introspection!

I am trying to sort out in my head where to have DD2. I'm 28 weeks tomorrow and had DD1 at our PCT's main hospital. I've asked for a birth debrief but think I might have left it a bit late and am not sure if they'll be able to fit me in before she arrives.

My memory of her birth is totally muddled, but what I do know is I would have given anything for an epidural; that I didn't cope well and diamorphine does not agree with me. The whole process lasted 36 hours with the first contractions as painful as those the next day when I was in active labour, and I think the length of time, two nights without sleep, combined with the diamorphine and a syntocinon drip just left me so spaced out I crumbled completely into a gibbering wreck.

I don't want to do that again, and as far as I can tell my best insurance is to be somewhere where an epidural is likely to be available (I know there are no guarantees by the way!).

But then I weigh up all the other factors:
this is second baby so likely to be much faster
I live 10 minute from the main hospital
the hospital midwives etc were brilliant last time: really great - the post birth care was good, I was perfectly stitched up afterwards - it would be hard to fault anything else (from my hazy memory!)
the nearest hospitals which do epidurals are all well over an hour's drive away - and would mean me going to a different PCT
my parents are nearby here to look after DD1

...and I think - well that's just ridiculous, you can't go all the way to Newcastle or Lancaster just on the off chance you might need an epidural, when it would be so much simpler to do it here. And I just about make the decision to be sensible - and then wake up in the middle of the night panicking beacuse I can't, really, really can't sign up for that again. I was so out of it by the end I was genuinely convinced I would die.

I don't know what to do. I want to be brave and sensible and do it here: all the other women in the county seem to manage! Someone help me to get a grip?

Hmm- I sympathise. I know that if I hadn't had an epidural last time (DC1), I would be having an elective c-section this time, so I would probably do the hour's drive. In particular, there would be no way on God's earth that I would be having a syntocinon drip and no epidural.

Btw- is the issue with the main hospital that they are totally not available or that they just fob you off if you ask for one?

Not available at all, Richman. They have been slated for it in the past and said in about 2008 that they would be getting it sorted (lack of anaesthetists), but it hasn't changed. There's a second large hospital in the PCT and they do have some provision but it's on quite restricted hours and several MWs have basically said it's unlikely you'll actually get one - and it's on bad roads so would take longer to get to than the other two options.

So I'm not being totally mad to contemplate going elsewhere. It's so hard to get it into perspective when it's just going round in your own head - do appreciate your thoughts.

That is shocking. Seriously. So no, I don't think you're mad at all. For me, just the thought that I couldnt get an epidural would get me so stressed out that I wouldn't be able to relax enough to do it with G&A only, and like you, pethadine really doesnt agree with me (and most Obstetricians think it's not ideal anyway due to impact on you and the baby).

No epi related but we are travelling over an hour (1h 7 door to door when we did it on saturday) to go to a hospital I am happy with as DH will be able to stay over night with me.

Obviously if things don't go to plan we'll end up somewhere nearer but otherwise for me, its worth the trip.

you poor thing, i had so called easy birth first time, 2 days latent labour 6 hours of established - 23 mins pushing, i did like pethadine and gas a air but i was still in too much pain and fobbed off an epidural!

personally i couldnt face that much pain again, i just couldnt and this time I have been offered an ELC and will also chat with mw about epidural....as there is no way i could do it without one again.

yes lots of women do cope - and get through with no relief - if you have done it once and feel you do need relief - i would persoanlly go for relief because thats what you personally want...

Hi,

We are in rural Wales so either MLU just up the road, lovely but no epidural/emergency care/Obs. or 90mins in car to hospital - life is much easier as its our first and there's no sibling to sort out but the option of pain relief is I think relaxing in itself. Knowing its there as a possibility just makes me feel so much better about it all. Planning on hot water bottle and cranking up the TENS during the drive. (Please don't anyone say the TENS doesn't help.) Other factor is timing - going to just go as we're so far away and noone can suggest the right time to go, the Obs fella said just come so hard to time it all - if need be will skulk at a nearby travel lodge (will book on late rooms enroute) so we're not driving back and forth. At what point will you set off to make sure, traffic wise, you'll get there in time to be given an epidural should you want one ??

Good luck xx

This is really useful - thanks all. I am relieved to know it's not a mad idea and that other people would choose the same option. I feel a chat with the midwife about practicalities coming on.

Much appreciated!

Epidural all the way here!!!! I demanded ( and got) mine as soon as I experienced my first syntocin contraction. It is outrageous epidurals aren't available at your local hospital.