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Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Original poster

How easy is it to get an epidural? UK

19 replies

mum20200 · 09/06/2020 17:44

I'm due in 6 weeks, don't have a birth plan but am considering all options. Am wondering how easy it is to get an epidural? What I mean is, how willing to give you an epidural are the staff? I remember at my nephews birth they seemed quite reluctant to give one to my sister and she was pleading but just kept pushing other pain relief on her.

OP posts:
NutterPotter · 09/06/2020 17:48

Midwife asked if i wanted one at an appointment said no, that was it. Then when I was in labour and being checked over the midwife said to me well your nine centimetres dilated so too late to have one any way.

Kiki275 · 09/06/2020 17:50

I think it depends on the hospital and the availability of anaesthetists. If there's no one available to administer it, they might push other painkillers in the meantime. Also depends on dilated you are. Discuss it with your midwife on arrival so that she'll know you're open to one x

K1999 · 09/06/2020 17:53

I asked for one, they asked me if I was sure as I originally said I wanted to do it without pain relief, I said yes, they checked and the anaesthetist was busy in theatre and would be an hour so I had some morphine while I waited. Was really easy, wish my labour was as easy as getting the epidural!

SandieCheeks · 09/06/2020 17:53

I had three - asked and I got it, no problem.
However I did have to wait as the anaesthetist was in theatre, so ask early! Don't wait til you can't cope.
If you think you will want one start asking as soon as you're in active labour eg 5cm.

Itstartedinbarcelona · 09/06/2020 17:55

I asked both times and was told no, even though the second time it was the only thing in my birth plan. Will you have someone with you who can advocate for you?

Tiredmum100 · 09/06/2020 18:02

I didn't really have to ask. I had one offered I think, that was the first time.

river12 · 09/06/2020 18:10

I asked for one and got given it soon after without any fuss, they didn't try and persuade me not to. I'll definitely be asking for one for my next birth!

MichelleOR84 · 09/06/2020 20:35

I can’t say the same for all hospitals but mine has no issues giving epidurals. In my birth plan I actually requested not to be offered one ( I was worried I would give in if it was offered) . I told told by my midwife to go in with an open mind because you don’t know how you’ll feel or what the pain will be like . While in labour it was recommended I get one as I was put on the hormone drip as labour wasn’t progressing . I didn’t though and they totally respected my wishes but they seemed pretty happy to support me however I wanted . This was Kingston Hospital .

LynseyLou1982 · 09/06/2020 21:52

When I was sent through to delivery from maternity assessment unit the midwife talked me through the pain relief options and asked if i wanted to use any. I was 6cm and I didnt want to wait too long so I asked for the epidural. She went off and called the aneasthatist and hearrived about 15 minutes later. Whole thing took about 40 minutes.

rottiemum88 · 09/06/2020 22:04

Was talked out of all pain relief options including gas and air by the midwives in the MLU Hmm Had enough of that after 8 hours and little progress, so requested a transfer to the labour ward. Got an epidural with no fuss at all within 15 minutes of arriving there. Had a fantastic experience with the midwives there too, even though my birth ended with an EMCS which was less than ideal. Think it really depends on your trust/hospital as to what kind of experience you'll have

Gerdticker · 10/06/2020 00:07

Just a thought - I personally think it’s a really good idea to have a birth plan Smile

Having a plan just means you’ve thought thoroughly about your preferences, are educated on the options, and have a ‘plan a’

You can then also be completely open to things changing (as they so often do!!) And if you have a birth that is nothing like your first plan, it doesn’t matter one bit!

Remember it’s YOUR body, your labour

Best of luck op x

CoolNoMore · 10/06/2020 05:56

As PPs have said, it probably varies but definitely depends on an anaesthetist being available. It was actually my wonderful midwife who said, 'I think it might be time for an epidural, what do you think?'. I was so sleep-deprived and shocked by the effect of pitocin that I hadn't really remembered that that was an option. Had it within ten minutes and was blissfully asleep half an hour later!

frazzledasarock · 10/06/2020 09:51

I was offered a whole list of drugs when I went in with my last DC.

I only wanted gas and air, but I don't think an epidural would have been refused. In all my labours I've always been offered an epidural. But I think it does depend on what stage of labour you're in. At the beginning they offer gas and air and pethidine I said definitely no to pethidine as it makes you and baby sleepy.

If you definitely want an epidural say so, and write it down in your birth plan too.

attillathenun · 10/06/2020 09:56

Very easy but make sure you let them know early on. As PP have said it depends on the availability of anaesthetists, when I had DD I had to wait a while because there were a lot of emergencies and he was busy in theatre. I did get one eventually and it was great Smile

IamPickleRick · 10/06/2020 10:00

First one, I begged and begged and told it was too early. (It wasn’t) I had a complicated induction that time due to preeclampsia, I don’t know if that was anything to do with it.

Second one I wasn’t falling for that shit and told them I wanted it and that was final. All was fine and lovely Smile

Nelbert19 · 10/06/2020 10:06

The only thing that should stop you from getting an epidural is if the anaesthetist is busy with an emergency (in which case it should be delayed, rather than refused) or if you're already at the transition phase of labour, at which point it's too late because you'll need to start pushing.

The midwife cannot refuse to ask for an epidural for you, nor should they try and persuade you to use other methods if you are clear that you want an epidural. If you feel your midwife is being obstructive without good reason, ask for their senior, or ask for the anaesthetist to attend to review (because giving or not giving the epidural is the anaesthetist's decision, not the midwife's)

Saying that, I think obstructive midwives are very rare. I can't think why they would want to deny women pain relief that is being requested, so I'm sure getting an epidural will be very straightforward if that's what you want. As a PP said, make sure you ask early so that the anaesthetist is aware, because they may not be able to come at the drop of a hat because of duties elsewhere

StylishDuck · 10/06/2020 10:15

With DD I laboured with nothing for hours before I got down to the labour suite by which point I asked for an epidural and they gave me one no problem.

With DS I had more options for pain relief so managed with gas & air for a while then had diamorphine. By the time that wore off they had decided I needed an EMCS anyway.

My point being that I had no trouble getting pain relief once I was on the labour ward. Before you get down there you're a little more limited. They didn't even have gas & air on the ante-natal wards.

lc86 · 11/06/2020 16:08

I asked both times and was told no and excuses given, then I ended up needed an emergency caesarean and they soon gave me one, I was already 9cm so had done most of the hard work on my own!

FizzingWhizzbee123 · 11/06/2020 18:25

I got one but only after I got to 6cm (induction). I think you can have one after 4cm but they wouldn’t check me for ages.

This time EPIDURAL is the only word on my birth plan. I will be pushing for hard for one.

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