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Pregnant after a Loss
WTF!! Hospital does not give epidurals
My OB works at our local hospital. I was planning on using this hospital when I deliver my son and it is only 2 minutes away. My sister was talking to a friend that delivered there and she told her if I wanted to go there that I couldn't get an epidural because they don't give them there. I didn't think that could be true. So I spoke with a friend that works at that hospital and she looked into it for me and the hospital DOES NOT give ANY epidurals. They do however give pain meds thru an IV. I'm sorry but if IV pain meds were that effective on labor pain...people wouldn't need epidurals right?
I am livid over this. The other hospitals are 30 and 40 miles away and I would have to see if my OB would be able to go to any and if not I will have to search for a new OB and see which ones my insurance covers. I really want to get an epidural.....I think all women should have that option. UGGG I don't know what to do.....I really like my OB, but I also want to be comfortable during labor.
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Re: WTF!! Hospital does not give epidurals
Yikes! That would be a deal breaker for me! Is it a small town? Maybe they don't have an anesthesia department?? I know there is a town around here that only has a nurse anesthetist and if she's off, you can't get an epi.
I would see what your doctor suggests - surely if she's one of the local OBs, she's dealt with this hospital before.
say wha???!?!?
I've never heard of that before! Is it a small hospital?
BFP #3 via cancelled IUI ~ C (2lb 3oz; HELLP) 5/16/11
BFP #4 via the natural (free!) way ~ E (8lb 11oz) 9/13/12
It's not a big hospital and the local population is 50,000. I am really upset over this. I was really happy about using this hospital since it was soo close to my home and it would be easier for family to come and go and bring things if needed. I will see my OB on Monday and ask her about this.
Unless I change my mind as I've said before....I will probably be delivering my son with just the OB and nurses....no husband. I would like to be as comfortable as possible.
My hospital also doesn't offer epidurals, and it's for this reason. I decided to stick with it, because I love this hospital (it was one of the first designated "baby friendly" hospitals), I love my midwives and OB, and I love the hospital's approach to labor and delivery in general.
If you do decide to stick with this hospital, just make sure they do have the ability to give a spinal if you happen to need a c-section.
They will give a spinal for a c-section. I am very adament on getting an epidural. It isn't about having enough staff to do epidurals....the hospital just plain does not do them and it's really sad.
I should've said that it's partially for that reason. I live in a pretty crunchy area, and I think a lot of it is their general philosphy on L&D. From their website:
"We believe that pregnancy and childbearing is a normal physiological event. All the prenatal testing, education and support we provide is to help women and their partners keep their pregnancies normal. All intervention is done to keep or return the pregnancy or birth to a normal event."
And in general, I totally agree. And I'm all for having a natural birth, but I well appreciate that one never knows just how bad the pain is going to be until she's in it.
BFP # 1 - 12/19/09 EDD 08/27/10 - D&C 1/26/10 @ 9w5d
BFP # 2 - 06/05/10 EDD 02/17/11, DS1 born on 2/14/11
BFP # 3 - 04/10/13 EDD 12/21/13 - D&C 05/15/13 @ 8w4d
BFP # 4 - 07/27/13 EDD 04/08/14 - CP 07/29/13
BFP # 5 - 09/14/13 EDD 05/28/14, DS2 born on 5/22/14
Wow, I've never heard of that before - is it because they simply don't want to take the risk of something going wrong?
Thats odd.
Remembering Evelyn and raising Bailey
Evelyn Born at 24wks 6days on May 22, 2010 due to pre-e Passed away May 25, 2010
BFP# 2 Delivered 6wks early due to preeclampsia
If it were me I'd switch hospitals... you have NO idea how you will feel when the time comes, maybe you'll decide you don't need one, but if you want one and can't get one... yikes!! I am so thankful for my epidural- I was induced, almost didn't get an epidural due to low platelets, labored painfully for many hours, and once I finally got one I went from 4 cm to 10 in an hour and was ready to push- my body NEEDED that relaxation to dilate! I also ended up with a really bad tear and if I hadn't had the epidural I would have had to be put under general for surgery to repair it. I'm not trying to scare you- my situation is VERY rare but, since you said you want the option, it's worth it to switch hospitals.
By saying no epidurals it really means they lack 24 hour in house anesthesia coverage. That's really what it boils down to. That's scary and most hospitals now find that practice unacceptable. A CRNA is not an anesthesiologist. Lord knows I love love love the ones that I work with, but they aren't physicians and don't have the same years of training. I will not personally practice OB at a hospital that doesn't have 24 hour in house anesthesia coverage; it's too risky.
I'd find another hospital if I were you.
Good luck!!