wanting a water birth but what if i need an epidural?

[ditsydoll]

I'm 40+3 and I'm hoping that if I don't need to be induced ill be having a waterbirth in the MLU at hospital.
What happens if I can't cope and decide I need an epidural?
Will I be transferred to the delivery suite? As far as I know the MLU is on hospiral grounds.

Hospital* sorry

I asked my community midwife this exact question last week. She said that it's not uncommon for women on MLUs to change their minds and transfer to the CLU (and in fact I have written something reflecting this into my own birth plan for DC2!).

However, this is with the caveat that delivering on the CLU may not guarantee you access to an epidural. MW was very honest and said that emergencies in Theatre will always take priority, and that anaesthetists can be spread thinly out of hours.

I had DS on a CLU and did not get the epidural I asked for. I got on ok with pethidine instead (long back to back labour) and I wasn't too bothered about it TBH, but might be an idea to bear that in mind.

I'm not saying this is how it should be BTW, just how it is locally.

Thank you theseboots, I'm really hoping not to need any drugs this time around but it's always nice to know there's a back up plan.

Yes you will just transfer. Many places will support a water birth following induction now I understand - although I think it may depend on the induction method. Anyone know?

Yes, if you want an epidural you transfer to the CLU first. If it is the same building, it is really just changing rooms. In some areas your current midwife can even come across with you, but that is very dependant on area (and, I assume, how busy the MLU is that day/night).

Thanks everyone.
Delivered in the pool and it was just amazing little one is perfect :)
Couldn't have asked for a better birth x

Yeay! Congratulations.

Congratulations!!!