Hundreds of mothers to be are being forced to give birth without any pain relief. A daily mail investigation found that the problem at Cumberland Infirmary in Carlisle has been going on for at least three months. Expectant mothers who plan to have their birth at this hospital have been told there will be no epidurals due to a lack of senior anaesthetists.
If the demand on maternity wards is so high that expectant mothers are being denied epidurals then we have to look at other forms of pain relief.
The Royal College of Midwives say that "any methods that can help calm a woman's labour fears are beneficial".
Research studies from around the world show that the use of complimentary methods results in:-
• Shorter labours.
• Reduced use of pain medication.
• Higher Apgar scores (measurement of baby's well being at birth).
• Reduced surgical delivery.
• Increase in milk flow.
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