We are saddened but not surprised by the @DHSCgovuk finding that women are being denied epidurals in childbirth.
Women have told us how when they requested one they were told “labour is meant to be hard work” amp.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2…
Women have told us how when they requested one they were told “labour is meant to be hard work” amp.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2…
#NICE guidance is clear that women should be able to have an epidural when they need one, including in early labour. 
Epidurals are the most effective form of pain relief. Women should be informed that they are not associated with an increased chance of c-section (if that’s something they want to avoid) or longer term backache.
We see women so traumatised by a previous birth, including lack of pain relief when they needed it, they cannot consider going through childbirth again.
We still need to understand why this happening - whether it’s staffing shortages or the emphasis on natural birth - but the consequences for women are the same.
Read our full comment: bpas.org/about-our-char…
This was the @telegraph piece in Jan that exposed what's been happening. Countless women denied epidurals because "labour is meant to be hard work" or "if you were my wife I wouldn’t let you". Huge thanks to @Masonboyowen for your work to raise the issue.
telegraph.co.uk/news/2020/01/2…
telegraph.co.uk/news/2020/01/2…
