Panicking about birth, refusal of epidural

[liveinhope100]

Have any women ever been refused an epidural? Can you request or book it in before you go into labour?

I want to feel as in control as possible leading up to the birth but know there are women who have requested an epidural many times and been refused then it’s too late. The worry this may happen is creating huge anxiety as even though I may not go for it in the end I just want to know it will definitely be available.

Any info on this would be appreciated

Put that you want one on your birth plan. I would speak to your trust about what their policy is on when they consider it too late to have one.

I gave birth 7 weeks ago and had a very quick labour (5 hours from first contraction), when I got to the hospital I was already 10cm, but when I asked if it was too late for an epidural the midwife said no it isnt and I can have one and this was before they decided i needed to have a forcep delivery as babys heart rate was dipping during contractions.

But I think I was lucky, they were not that busy the night I went in and they have an anaesthetist that specifically works on the labour ward.

I’ve only heard of them being refused when it’s too late, so please try not to worry. Put it in your birth plan that you want one and raise it with the midwives early on, so they know you want to be offered one when there is still time for it to work etc. You will need to be clear about your choices but there’s no reason for them to refuse it in the absence of a medical reason.

It probably depends on the hospital you are in, however here in East London I begged for an epidural and they told me the anaesthetist (?) would be around soon to give it to me, and of course he never turned up even though I kept bloody asking....in the end it was too late. What you do need op is someone with you who is going to argue and stand up for you! My husband didn't dare question the doctors or chase things up at my first birth, however on the second one he kept on and on to make sure I got what I needed. The third was a C-section. X you can't book it OP, but make sure you ask for it as soon as you need it, and have someone with you who will push for it x ps of course you might not need it, my sister had 4 children and didn't need any!

@Sunnysideup999 knowing it can easily happen is pushing me to a c section. Especially if they have to intervene and help get the baby out

@ClaireP20 Literally my worst nightmare I feel for anyone that it happened to. My partner can be assertive but if they say the anaesthetist is busy in theatre etc I don’t know what else he could do x and credit to your sister that’s amazing, I think I’ve watched too many episodes of one born every minute I don’t think il cope well lol

[quote liveinhope100]@Sunnysideup999 knowing it can easily happen is pushing me to a c section. Especially if they have to intervene and help get the baby out[/quote]
C sections are life savers, but also major surgery. While you won't feel pain during them, you will after. The recovery can be pretty rough too (not always, one friend of mine got over her serious serious emergency one super quick)

For every horror story out there, there are also positive birth stories. I had two good births. The pain was manageable, I was listened to, I had a great midwife (same one both times) I've had very little in the way of damage post babies. I was also very quick. I was lucky, absolutely lucky, but not every birth is a clusterfuck.

Read up on the pain management that is available, make your wishes known and see how you go. You never know, you could have an easy birth and this is never an issue.

Have you considered chatting to a private doula for some coaching to discuss your options, if you haven’t been able to discuss your fears candidly with a helpful midwife? They might be able to better explain all the pain relief options available, pros and cons of c section, and other things like hypnobirthing if you think it might help you.

Epidural was the first word out my mouth when I got to the hospital. I was examined and taken straight to delivery. I had been labouring for days and was only 1cm. I got my epidural at 1cm which I think is unusual but it can happen.

there is certainly a culture around epidurals which means that most women have to fight to get them

I’m very surprised to read that, i requested one and by the time I was wheeled from the alongside midwifery led unit to the labour ward across the hall the anaesthetist was there waiting with an assistant for me.

Then the consultant came in and said “I don’t know why women go through the pain when we have pain relief, it’s literally what it’s there for.. use it.”

So I certainly didn’t get the experience you describe.