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Childbirth

Share experiences and get support around labour, birth and recovery.

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Original poster

Can I be denied an epidural?

62 replies

dino98 · 11/02/2018 18:11

I'm currently 39+7 but a couple days ago I was having regular (every 2 minutes) contractions that were quite uncomfortable, so I went to hospital at around 2am. My baby's heart rate was monitored as well as the contractions I was having for around 25 minutes.
Then a midwife came to check how dilated I was, due to events in my past I was very uncomfortable of the idea of a vaginal examination. I reluctantly agreed but told her to stop almost immediately as it was too much to cope with.
She then told me to "grow up and be an adult about it" and at this point I was crying and just wanted to go home.
I went home and luckily my contractions have slowed down now so I don't think I'll be giving birth too soon but now I'm scared to go back to hospital when the time does come in case she's there again.
I am terrified of the pain of childbirth and know I definitely want an epidural but will I be denied one if I refuse to have a vaginal examination? Even if I'm in a lot of pain?

OP posts:

FancyNewBeesly · 12/02/2018 08:15

Given that you’re so far along, I would call the lead midwife or midwife Supervisor at your unit and ask to speak to them. They can talk you through what’s realistic and what isn’t, what steps they can take to make you feel more comfortable and put alerts on your notes that come up when checked. Talk to them about your anxiety.

Izzy24 · 12/02/2018 08:22

Also not true that you can’t have an epidural after 8cm.

No anaesthetist ‘shoves’ epidurals in.

Hope you’ve had your baby by now OP and you’re both safe and sound.

MrsJoshDun · 12/02/2018 08:28

A woman can have an epidural at any point once in established labour as long as staff to accomadate it, you can sit still for it and no medical reasons why not.

That midwife you had was rude. I'd like to think most aren't. Ask for gas and air next time you need a 'VE.

GummyGoddess · 12/02/2018 08:43

My dm is a midwife and pointed out to a friend that she can have an epidural until she was pushing, because they can be done at this time for caesarians.

My dm also says that any experienced midwife does not need an exam to tell them what is happening and that she very rarely does them, only if she gets a suspicion that something is not going to plan.

coffeeforone · 12/02/2018 08:43

I was denied one simply because there was no anaesthetist available. So yes, you can be denied for various reasons.

Have you discussed your fears with your midwife? I think you need to call the midwife unit and explain your anxiety re examinations and see what they say.

Gas and air may also help to relax you if they need to examine you. Best of luck for the birth!

Grimmfebruary · 12/02/2018 20:20

I wanted one and wasn’t given one for reasons I’m not entirely sure of. I have no pain tolerance at all and managed on gas and air and diamorphine. In all honesty I’m pleased I didn’t have one and I was absolutely terrified of giving birth.

Hopingnwishing · 14/02/2018 05:34

coffee I think what you mean is that you were unable to have an epidural due to staffing issues.... you weren't actually denied one.

coffeeforone · 14/02/2018 14:37

Yes that's exactly what i meant. I requested an epidural several times over a few hours. My request was denied/refused due staffing issues so I was unable to have one. My example is one reason women don't get an epidural when they ask for it. There are of course many other reasons they might give ('its too early', 'its too late' etc, etc), but my point is that don't bank on being able to get an epidural, as these requests are refused quite often, and you end up having to cope without one.

Ihatemarmite123 · 14/02/2018 17:43

I wasn't examined before being given an epidural needle. They didn't ask to examine me... If they had they wouldn't have bothered putting the needle in because baby was born minutes later and no drugs when into my spine.

I wish they had examined me and realised baby was waiting to come out. I suffered for months with spinal pain from that needle and them poking about.

You really need to complain about that midwife!

Potteryprincess30 · 14/02/2018 22:23

@dino98 from the sounds of it you should request remifentanil which is a walking epidural which you control with a button. It is less likely they will need to examine you to give you this. I was told my my midwife center I could have pethadine without examinations also so worth a re think regarding pain relief. An epidural might not be the best option to be honest. All the best to you and good luck with everything

SockQueen · 14/02/2018 22:34

Remifentanil is NOT an epidural. It is an IV infusion (yes, with a button), it goes nowhere near your back. It's an option for the OP, but it's not available in all labour wards.

ladydanger · 18/12/2018 15:57

This is my greatest fear - I recognise that there may be situations out of my (or anybody's) control eg anesthetist isn't available / attending to someone else but bar that I expect if I ask for an epidural I will be provided one.

I'm giving birth on the labour ward at Chelsea & Westminster - does anybody have any recent experiences of getting an epidural there?

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