Shortage of childbirth pain relief announced

[BestZebbie]

(Posting to Chat as I couldn't find this topic anywhere on the boards already and there doesn't seem to be a general "birth" topic).

"The NHS has been hit by a shortage of epidural kits to give mothers-to-be, a key form of pain relief during childbirth, as well as the drug that women are offered as an alternative.

Supplies of epidural kits and the painkiller Remifentanil are now under such pressure that some hospitals cannot offer pregnant women their usual right to choose which one they want to reduce labour pains.

Anaesthetists have told the Guardian that the simultaneous shortage of both forms of pain management has led to “difficult discussions” with women who had been told during their antenatal care that they would have that choice but were upset to learn that it was not available."

www.theguardian.com/society/2022/aug/07/difficult-discussions-as-nhs-faces-shortage-of-childbirth-pain-relief

I'm sure this wouldn't be an issue if men have birth.

That's terrible

That is terrifying. God.

Quells surprise.

I guess a lot of women will be opting for ELCS then.

You can bet your life on it 😤

Is the shortage affecting other countries too?

Global shortage form the linked article and a nationwide ( at least ) shortage of one alternative

Surprised there's not outrage on here

There are shortages of SO many things in hospitals at the moment. Remi has been extremely limited for the last few months, affecting lots more anaesthetics than just labour ward. Epidural kits is a new one for me but I can quite believe it. But we've taken our country back, right? And there's an extra 350m a week for it, yes?

That's awful.I genuinely couldn't have managed without my epidural towards the end.

Epidurals are used for other things not just childbirth, aren’t they?

The article states it’s a global shortage, so can’t blame the NHS

If men had to give birth the world would be working on this problem as a priority.

Goodness. I’ve had 3 births but had an epi for baby number 1. It was invaluable. I am quite sure without it i would have experienced a birth trauma. How awful is this.

Another opportunity for medical professionals to manipulate women in their birth choices. Vile and upsetting. I hope pregnant women don’t read this, it must be very frightening and distressing.

Disappointed that they've only referred to mothers here

i might be wrong but thought ecls also needed epidural

from google
You'll be given the anaesthetic in the operating room. This will usually be a spinal or epidural anaesthetic, which numbs the lower part of your body while you remain awake. This means you'll be awake during the delivery and can see and hold your baby straight away. It also means your birth partner can be with you.

my sister had a no pregnancy related surgery few years ago and she was provided epidural as well as it's used to numb the legs

There are huge amount of drug shortages globally. Just as the supply chain has been disrupted in so many other areas. Why do you think that drugs were stock piled prior to brexit? Covid then happened and factories shut down. If it’s physically not available it’s not an option. There are alternatives. To suggest it’s a big conspiracy by medical professionals is absolutely ridiculous. Epidurals are used for many things other than labour so yes it could potentially affect a lot of other non sex linked conditions.

Spinal is not the same as epidural, it’s a one off injection so doesn’t need the giving set.

Spinal blocks use much smaller amounts of anaesthesia because it’s for a finite time, epidural doesn’t go into the spinal fluid and is usually for much longer so uses much more anaesthetic.

Spinal begins to wear off after around an hour as a caesarean only takes around 30-45 minutes, I was up and walking to the shower after six hours, but they also come with their own set of benefits and risks.

I do still put some blame on the government for this. It won't have been an overnight shortage, there'll have been signs it was coming, and instead of stockpiling, increasing production, or looking into licensing alternatives they've spent their time bickering over their petty internal issues and throwing money at their mates. The national shortage is entirely down to them and their Brexit-at-all-costs mentality.

There have been so many drug shortages in the last two years, usually drugs that aren’t particularly expensive, so not a huge incentive for more suppliers.

My particular insulin was in short supply for a while, so diabetics on this type were often been given different insulin, which has a huge impact on control.

I was denied and epidural and did the entire Labour on a single paracetamol despite all being agreed first. I had sincerely hoped following a feedback session with the supposedly leading hospital this kind of crap was a thing of the past. I still get flashbacks now the pain and fear was horrendous- just why is this happening?
I'm furious to think anybody else might go through that trauma!

I agree there's a disparity between the healthcare men and women receive, but in this case, where there is a global shortage of one of the key components, I'm not sure if it affected men (which it does by the way as epidurals aren't just used for childbirth) they'd be able to magic it out of their arses. This shortage was identified in April. Makes a change though being a shortage of the medication rather than of doctors to administer it.

I'm not pregnant and, thank goodness, never plan to be again but this has terrified me! I had an epi with all 3 of mine for different reasons, but with the last especially I was in so much agony I don't know how I would have coped without it. Not being able to have an epidural if I wanted one was one of my biggest worries.

I agree, if it were men this wouldn't happen

Where would they magic the blue dye from if it affected men?

God this is terrifying, I am due next month and was banking on an epidural :(