Chelsea and Westminster epidural

[stevetaylor20]

Hi myself and partner recently went to this ward to have initial meeting with midwife about the birth plan. She told her she wanted an epidural as she's not very good with pain. She responded by saying they do not give epidurals, full stop. Now my Mrs is talking about going private or going abroad simply for the possibility of an epidural.

Any thoughts please? I find it ridiculous and want to file a complaint etc. Do they really not give epidural and ur not can I somehow force them to?

Thank you
Steve

Is it a midwife led unit? A birthing centre? They won't give epidurals if they don't have anaesthetists to do it - an epidural can't be given by a midwife.

Ooh, I've googled. There is a birth centre and very nice it looks too. But she can't give birth there and have an epidural.

As Chelsea and Westminster is so big though I assume there's a non-birth centre labour ward she could go to?

Yes I was going to say the same, is it a midwife led unit/birthing centre? As they won't do them. But a consultant led unit (main hospital unit normally) should do it. Your partner doesn't need to go private to get one, she can just book in with another NHS unit that do offer epidurals.

I have given birth at C&W twice and had an epidural both times (first ended in emcs, second VBAC). This is only possible if you are on the labour ward rather than in the birth centre although it is possible to begin labour in the birth centre and then move across the corridor if she then decides she wants the epidural.

Both times I was admitted straight to the labour ward as had high risk pregnancies and wasn't allowed to not be monitored, essentially anything medical related so monitoring, epidurals, inductions etc is all done on the labour ward. Only drug free births happen in the wonders of the very nice birthing suite!

I would say though, even though I was on the labour ward and requested the epidurals they both took a long time to be administered. 8hrs from asking to it being sighted the first time and 14 hrs the second time (I had two very long labours 48hrs and 28hrs). They will only give them once over 4cm dilated and once an anaesthetist was available so u have to wait if they are in theatre etc. They also try to encourage you to go for as long as possible without it. I did find it amazing that both times I really lost my s*it with the midwife as I was at the end of my tether the anaesthetist miraculously appeared...!

Majority of women on labour ward at c and w do have an epidural - birth centre do not administer

Phone them up and book the hospital tour - they go to the labour ward and the birthing centre and explain in great detail what pain relief options are available in each. They also do a pamphlet that outlines clearly - the pain relief options that the hospital use and pros and cons of each.

I think there must have been some crossed wires in regard to pain relief - no need to complain, as they do offer epidurals - I just think you need more clarity about the different areas of the hospital, this might help as a starter: www.chelwest.nhs.uk/services/maternity-obstetrics/midwife-led-birth-centre