"I gave birth with Paracetamol when I asked for an..."

I gave birth on 19 January 2015, was admitted on 18-th for induction on Rusper. The Midwives who attended me were great, the Consultant who saw me immediately after my admission is great. The doctor who I approached on the second day asking for an epidural wasn't so great. They said "I am not an Anaesthetist", then they said that they will discuss with Delivery Suit and see what they decide. I got "gas & air" which is rubbish, gets you dizzy & keeps you buzy, but it does not take the pain away at all. On the second day no doctor checked me, the midwife finnaly had doctor's approval to remove my 24 h device 26 h after. On Delivery Suit I "screamed the house down" as I was begging for my painkiller (epidural) having taken only Paracetamol. In my care plan I specifically asked for epidural (only). I finally got Pethidine, like 5 min before I gave birth, because my midwife "couldn't find anybody available to countersign for the CD drug". Obviously there was not enough time for the drug to work. The "sister"midwife (who received my baby, Thank you for that) didn't introduced themself, asked my midwife (like I was not there) if "this was her first delivery unsupervised". Does this question build your confidence? Less likely. All this must have been because of the staff shortage at all levels. This has a great impact on the care we receive. Thank you to all the Midwives (except for the delivery suit sister), the Paediatrician, and the first Consultant who saw me in my first day! You are all really good, compassionate, caring and helpful. Thank you to the dinner staff, the food was very good, the portions a bit small for me though. On Delivery Suit I had a midwife with me at all times, so I could have had Epidural instead of causing bruises to my husband as my support in pain, while screaming the house down which nobody appreciates and I certainly didn't wished for, as I am a nurse.