Epidural at birthing centre...

[EllieRosesMammy]

So I'm wanting to give birth at my local birthing centre rather than the hospital, as it looks so much more secluded and relaxing. However it's just dawned on me, I wont be able to have an epidural will I?

Also if I need to be induced like I was with my 1st do birthing centres do inductions or would that also be a hospital stay instead?

Afraid not - inductions and epidurals are very much the preserve of hospital delivery suites only!

@SockQueen

Afraid not - inductions and epidurals are very much the preserve of hospital delivery suites only!

Aw man now I'm not sure what I want. I love the idea of the birthing centre but if my labour is as painful and goes on for as long as it did with my daughter I'm going to want an epidural 😥

A good compromise can be a midwife led birth unit within a proper hospital, preferably next door to the labour suite or just down the corridor, so you can start off there, but be rapidly transferred in an emergency or if you need decent pain relief.
A stand alone unit can’t really offer you anything except basic nursing care for a normal labour. They can’t deal with epidurals, inductions, forceps deliveries, Caesarians, major haemorrhage, retained placentas, abruptions, severe fetal distress, cord prolapse, amniotic fluid embolism or any of the other unexpected things that can go wrong in labour. That’s why we have obstetricians, anaesthetists, neonatal paediatricians and theatre staff available round the clock in er... actual hospitals.

You can plan to deliver at the birthing centre if you go into labour spontaneously, but go to hospital if you need induction. And if you are struggling in labour and want an epidural they can transfer you in (though this will probably mean it takes longer to get an epidural than if you were already in the hospital). Second labours are usually quicker than first!

@Babdoc

A good compromise can be a midwife led birth unit within a proper hospital, preferably next door to the labour suite or just down the corridor, so you can start off there, but be rapidly transferred in an emergency or if you need decent pain relief. A stand alone unit can’t really offer you anything except basic nursing care for a normal labour. They can’t deal with epidurals, inductions, forceps deliveries, Caesarians, major haemorrhage, retained placentas, abruptions, severe fetal distress, cord prolapse, amniotic fluid embolism or any of the other unexpected things that can go wrong in labour. That’s why we have obstetricians, anaesthetists, neonatal paediatricians and theatre staff available round the clock in er... actual hospitals.

I'm not sure we have one of those where I'm located :( seems that its either the main hospital which is always super busy and crowded, or the maternity centre. I'll be able to ask my midwife more during my next app once I find out if I'm high or low dependancy :)