20 November 08
Labouring mums at St Michaels Hospital, part of the University
Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust, now have control of their
own epidurals, getting an extra dose of analgesic painkiller at the
push of a button.
This June, St Michaels Hospital became the first in the South
West to routinely offer mums-to-be this new method of epidural
analgesia for child birth.
This system took over from the old continuous infusion method
which required Midwives to top up mums when required. Now midwives
can spend more time focused on caring for mum and delivering a
healthy baby.
About 25% of women request epidurals at St Michaels and it is
thought this new method of delivery has improved the maternal
experience. Once the epidural has been set up, mums can
simply press a handheld button whenever they need a top-up. There
is safety lock on the pump to make sure they only receive a maximum
of one dose of anaesthetic every 15 minutes.
Dr Mark Scrutton the Consultant Anaesthetist who led the
introduction of this technique at St Michaels said: This new method
has been welcomed by both midwives and mums-to-be. Mums are
reassured by having control over their birth experience.
Sally Bailey, who recently had baby number two, loves the new
epidural. She said: I was much more aware of giving birth this
time. With my first birth when I had an epidural I couldnt feel
anything at all, this time I could feel when I was having
contractions so I knew when to push the button but I still felt no
pain at all.
Ann Tizzard, Manager of the Central Delivery Suite at St
Michaels said: The method is much better for mums and midwives.
Before if mum was in pain she would have to wait for two free
midwives to run tests and top up her dose. Now the analgesia is
immediate and mums have the choice over how much they want to
feel.
