Epidurals can reduce the risk of serious complications for mothers during childbirth, according to a study of more than half a million Britons.
Those who received pain relief were less likely to suffer from all types of sepsis and heart attacks during and in the weeks after childbirth.
The findings suggest that making epidurals more available during childbirth could help reverse the growing trend of maternal death and injury in the UK.
Researchers studied 567,216 women in labor in NHS hospitals in Scotland between 2007 and 2019, who gave birth vaginally or by unplanned caesarean section.
Of those, 125,024 women received an epidural, which is administered through an anesthetic injection in the back to block pain.
Those who received pain relief were less likely to suffer from all types of sepsis and heart attacks during and in the weeks after childbirth. The findings suggest that making epidurals more available during labor could help reverse the growing trend of maternal death and injury in the UK.
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The study, led by the University of Glasgow and the University of Bristol, found that having an epidural reduced the risk of life-threatening illnesses by 35 percent.
They were also more effective in women who went into labor prematurely or who had pre-existing medical or obstetric conditions.
The researchers said their findings, published in The BMJ, suggest that “expanding access to epidural analgesia for all women during childbirth, and particularly for those at highest risk, could improve maternal health.”
Lead author Professor Rachel Kearns, from the University of Glasgow, said: “This finding underlines the need to ensure access to epidurals, particularly for those who are most vulnerable: women facing higher medical risks or giving birth. prematurely.”
“By expanding access and improving awareness, we can significantly reduce the risk of serious health outcomes and ensure safer birth experiences.”
It comes a week after a parliamentary inquiry found maternity services needed radical restructuring, with women unnecessarily suffering lifelong trauma after giving birth.
MPs heard that expectant mothers are routinely mocked or ignored by doctors and midwives, who treat them as an “inconvenience” and mislead them with inadequate pain relief.
It comes a week after a parliamentary inquiry found maternity services needed radical restructuring, with women unnecessarily suffering lifelong trauma after giving birth. MPs heard that expectant mothers are routinely mocked or ignored by doctors and midwives, who treat them as an “inconvenience” and mislead them with inadequate pain relief.
Earlier this year, a report from MBRRACE-UK (Mothers and Babies: Reducing Risk through Confidential Audits and Consultations), led by Oxford, showed that women were dying in childbirth at the same rates as two decades ago. Some 293 women died during pregnancy and within six weeks of giving birth between 2020 and 2022.
Earlier this year, a report from MBRRACE-UK (Mothers and Babies: Reducing Risk through Confidential Audits and Consultations), led by Oxford, showed that women were dying in childbirth at the same rates as two decades ago.
Some 293 women died during pregnancy and within six weeks of giving birth between 2020 and 2022.
The latest research showed that cases of serious complications during childbirth and in the six weeks after birth almost doubled between 2009 and 2018 in the UK.
This was largely attributed to the increase in older mothers and obesity. While generally safe, epidurals carry some risk, and side effects including headache, pain, and decreased blood pressure have been reported, which can sometimes affect the baby.
Professor Deborah Lawlor, from the University of Bristol, said it was important for women and their partners to have control over their treatment during pregnancy.
She added: “It is also important that women who would benefit from an epidural to avoid becoming seriously ill are given easy-to-understand information to help them make an informed decision.”
