Epidurals in public hospitals?

[miriam228]

Hi,

Always thought public hospitals don't provide epidurals, until I started reading the forums in this website....

Seems it applies for certain hospitals only or quote per day etc.???? Or do they provide it to certain ppl whom they think require such? Can we request for this in advance? If so, how much is the charge??

I am considering to deliver in a private hospital as they provide epidurals. If all public hospitals (UCH?) provide such, then I can opt for public hospitals instead and save lots $!!!!

Does anybody know,pls?

[Buckeroo]

PYNEH provides epidurals. I got "offered" an epidural even before I asked for one!

[yuukalim0404]

Yes UCH does have epidurals, because I had it there 6mths ago.
You just need to tell them in advance ( few hours before actual delievery) for them to make sure there is someone available to get it done for you.
HTH!

[miriam228]

Thanks for the useful info!!! Is there an extra charge for this?

[Dink]

I delivered at QMH a few weeks ago and was desperate for an epidural but did not get one.... it took over 2 hours from me asking for the doctor to arrive by which point I was fully dilated so I decided not to have it. As a side note I was supposedly having gas and air this whole time, but then the doc pointed out the machine was not working, which midwife had not spotted! So all in all, not a good experience from a pain relief point of view at QMH for me.

[miriam228]

So that means, there's no guarantee that we will get epidural then.... scary....

[Koan]

I got "offered" an epidural even before I asked for one!

Same here. I had my son at POW and was offered an epi as soon as I arrived in the delivery room when I was 3cm. The dr was busy in surgery and didn't come until I was about 7cm though, so it took a few hours. If you want one, tell them as soon as you can.

And no, there is no extra charge.

[nicolejoy]

Sorry to hear about your experience at QMH, Dink!

Someone advised me to write in my birth plan that I wanted an epidural, even if I DIDN'T - because that way, it's more likely to be available if you do want it once you're in labour. I was also at QMH and when I asked for an epidural, the anesthetist was there within 5 minutes and after signing a form, the epidural was in after another couple of minutes!!

It's strange how the same hospital can be sooo different depending on the day or the time of day, or whatever...