Getting there early

[fett76]

Ok. I'm new ! But this is my 3rd pregnancy. Tips on how to get to the hospital please for decent pain relief. Both times I've been told my contractions weren't close enough and by the time I have eventually gotten to the hospital I've been 9 cm with a head popping out and hardly even time for gas and air. I want a decent painkiller this time ! I feel I've done my bit for natural childbirth. I've watched OBEM and seen these folk at 3 and 4 cm in the comfy wee rooms having a laugh with partners, eating crisps and reading magazines, waiting on their epidurals ! Is this just England ? I live in Scotland and wonder if it's different ! Tips please lol

I am also amazed at OBEM. Every hospital I have been to would have sent most of them home until they are further along. I don't know what's going on. I have wondered if it's all for the cameras. I think the main reason they tell you to wait to come in is because they are so busy and can't accommodate you. I also dropped one after literally through the doors and they asked me if I wanted to leave an hour after I'd had the baby. I've had supermarket trips take longer...

We're in the SE.

I was wondering this too. I'm pregnant with DC2, the first time I was induced because of some complications. This time, all being well, I was wondering what I'm supposed to do!

Yip. I was the same with my 2nd. I wonder about just being forceful and heading down but then it's a hassle if they send you home and you've already had the other kids watched. I'd just love a wee shot of something to take away the pain. 99 percent sure I won't get it but it's worth a try x

Also in Scotland, if that's relevant.

A friend of mine seems to think if you plaster your pain relief preferences all over your birth plan section at the back of that grey book they give you, that helps. She requested an epidural for her second after not enjoying the natural experience first time around. Seemed to have no problem!

With my first my waters went, so we went to the hospital. They tried to send me home, but I refused to leave as we were in a room to be examined. Eventually they relented and admitted me to the maternity ward. Still no decent pain relief, but closer to it than being at home! In my defence, I was told by my consultant I would be admitted early and given pain relief due to epilepsy as soon as I was sure I was in labour, and I had been in labour for 2 days by that point

I refused to go home too. It was January and had been snowing. A 20 minute walk took nearly 45 mins in the cab with the cabbie extremely pissed off l didn't call an ambulance

I wasn't going through that again but l was only 1cm dilated

I was given some codine in the 'latent' stage. I was thinking maybe I should have some in the house to help me sleep if the process takes a while like you whoami

Thanks ladies ! I'm just fed up with the whole pain thing lol. It's only been 12 months since I done the whole childbirth thing so would love a bit of relief, it's still raw. Had 7 years between 1st and 2nd so had that whole can't remember how bad it was ! Think I might be putting my foot down ! X

Ime you have to really make a fuss on the phone, full on screaming and grunting noises will definitely help! Make it very clear that it is not your first baby too as they tend to be way more dismissive with first time mums. Write your pain relief preferences in big letters at the top of your birth plan and if they try to send you home refuse.