Have just found out the hospital here doesn't do them! So I suppose thats one less decision I have to make, its a good job I have my sister who has been through it a few times, I'm finding out loads.
Can't find out the sex of the baby as they won't tell you up here either, not that I think we would anyway, but that decision was taken away too.
Think I'm going to have to ask loads of questions at my next appointment as I know very little about the maternity ward, only ever been in as a visitor.

why don;t the tell you the sex honey? Surely that's just part of reading the ultrasound? I imagine that they don't do epidurals as it's too small a hospital? I'd find out everything you can def at your next appointment. How you doing anyhoo, sickness better?

They don't tell us the sex here either Lea! Also you can only have a n epidural 9-5 Mon-Fri.

do you know why that is Fran?

Blimey Lea, well you're going it with only gas and air then!

Did you want an epidural though? What pain relief do they give you if you have a C-section though?

You'd have to have a spinal if you had a section, maybe they just don't have the staff to give everyone epidurals.

Why wouldn't they tell you the sex, Lea? If one wanted to find out, is there a private hospital in the area where you can pay for a scan and find out???
Ive never heard of that one before... Glad you are not that bothered!!!!

No hospital is obliged to tell you the sex, and some sonographers prefer not to do it in case they get sued and stuff, or just out of some principle. I guess it's dependent on the technology they have too.

The technology seems to be fine but its the suing aspect I think is why they refuse to do it. I think depending on the sonographer and if you've already had a baby they will unsubtly hint and point, but they won't outright say. My sis knew with her last because of the hinting, but my SIL begged to be told and they wouldn't tell her. If you want to find out you have to travel to Aberdeen and pay for a 3D scan.

They do do epicurals for C-sections, as my sis had to have ones for her 2, but they won't otherwise. I hadn't really thought that much about pain relief but had assumed epidural would be an option.

I really think that it is wrong to not offer an epidural as a form of pain relief. You wouldn't go get a tooth out without some pain relief so why should you be expected to push out something the size of a watermelon without relief???

Depending on the type of c-section that you have (if that is what happens) you would either be offered an epidural or spinal block. Spinal blocks are usually only given in an emergency c-section as they go in deeper and work faster than the epidural. I had a spinal block with Lewis as I had an emergency c-section.

Our technology is v good I think,the scanner they used for Isla's 24wk scan was amazing it was so clear! I think it may be the suing aspect, if you go private though I think they will tell you. As for epidurals I have no idea why the times are restricted but obviously if theres an emergency there must be someone on call in the building.

I notice you are in Scotland, where do you stay? cos i'm in Glasgow and they told me their policy was not to tell you the sex but I asked and got told and I had an epidural. (Even though they were trying to stall me until it was too late by telling me they were getting the anaethestist (sp?) but not actually doing it so I refused to let them near me until I got one and blimming good job i did in the end)

I live in Orkney, so its only a small maternity ward.

I didn't know that - they bloody better tell me the sex! Oh just remembered, I will be having that scan in Bangkok and money talks so I will find out - phew!

North East Essex don't tell you the sex either, they are quite strict on this.