With our epidurals post c/s we use pcea's which are quite different and easier to manage re adding more drugs than the epidural syringe type plunger used for top-ups in birth suite (at least for me). I had never seen these plunger type things before coming to oz so i don't know where they exist elsewhere: have heard from a colleague in Ontario, Canada that they also have the plungers and if the midwives are attending a women in labour who has requested an epidural then the midwives do the care after an ob consult (they do caseload independent practice in home, hospital, and birth centre with ob nurses for the ob's and gp's in the hospitals). In the hospitals I had trransferred to in washington and california they had used pcea's in labour ward set up by the anaesthetist but monitored by the ob nurse even if ordered by us in consult with an ob.
 
 
marilyn
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Thursday, May 19, 2005 4:57 PM
Subject: [ozmidwifery] Re: Epidural top-ups

It is rare that at Parkes we use epidurals during labour, but I am supportive of mothers having epidural for elective caesareans.  This is where we use epidural top-ups, in the first 24 hours or less.  Therefore we need policies to cover as our midwifery care includes adequate pain relief post Caesar.  We do not have the doctor at the hospital, or if he is he may be in emergency, I don�t need our mother in pain to have to wait til he comes to the unit.

Thankyou to those who have helped with information.

Barbara, Parkes NSW

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