Hello,

I will soon give birth at St George Private Hospital (Kogarah). My first child was born in Europe (Belgium), with epidural. In Belgium an epidural during labour is very common. When you ask for one and there are no serious contra-indications, you get it. But how does this work in Australia? I've got the impression that an epidural during labour isn't very common here. Can you ask for one yourself, or is it really just a deciscion of the midwife/OB when they think it is appropriate?

I'm a bit reluctant to try pethidine during labour because I know that it makes me feel really nauseas and sick, and that is not very helpful during labour. And what I read about gas as pain relief is that it doesn't take away the pain, but just changes the way you experience the pain. And also that it can make you feel sick and that people can react very strange on it (in behaviour).

My experience with an epidural was very positive (after a lot of hours of labour that didn't progress good and a baby that started to get in trouble). But can you just ask for it when you feel you can't cope anymore, or doesn't it work that way? Just like with the previous birth, I really want to try to do it without pain relief, but I also want to know what the usual procedure is when you cant't cope and want pain relief.

Kind regards,
Britt