No anaethesiologist for epi?

I was in active labour at night and I can recall them telling me I needed to make a decision if I wanted an epidural or not before a certain time, i dont know if it was because I was nearly at the point of dilation where they cant do it or if because it was night time the anaesthetist doesnt take calls after a certain time.

Your best bet is to ask all the questions with the gynae, and if you dont have a gynae there phone the hospital and talk to someone in the maternity/labour ward there is no harm in asking all the questions you require to ease your mind to make the right decision.

My gyne said that as long as it was a vaginal birth he was able to do the epi himself. If it was a c-section then an anaesthesiologist would be required, but for a vaginal birth the gyne said he would do the epi himself.

Hi everyone!

Just curious - did anyone here get to hospital and when ready to ask for epidural there was no anaesthesiologist free to give it?

I know this has happened at our local hospital a couple of times. This is the main reason I'm considering a hospital an hour away (as mentioned in my other post). So curious if this is something that commonly occurs everywhere because then I might as well stick to the local hospital.

Not pregnant yet - but planning & need to choose a gynaecologist soon which also has an effect on which hospital I end up at

Thanks!

xx