The Royal College of Midwives is calling for a debate on the introduction of a fee for epidurals.
Epidurals are a popular pain relief option in childbirth and the RCM has flagged this up as an issue of concern to be discussed at
their Annual Conference. They believe that the increased use of epidurals (which are said to be used in around one in five births in the
UK now), is of concern because the use of this method of pain relief often leads to further medical intervention such as caesarean
section.
The NHS have been swift to rule out such a fee (which can cost around £500 if used as part of a birth at a private clinic) but the RCM
are planning to make it an issue at their conference in May.
Epidurals have become increasingly popular, as have caesarian sections. However, it is not only the woman's fear of pain which has caused such a rise. Fear of litigation, which can make many health professionals more keen for women to have hospital births, caesarian sections and other medical intervention, must be taken into account.
The culture of active birth - where mothers are encouraged to move around and find positions which allow them to get through pain and
labour without so much medical intervention - is something which for many years was considered 'alternative' in the UK. Slowly the
medical system, including midwives, has begun to embrace the ideas of natural birth.
There is a real fear that introducing fees such as this will not help promote more natural birth but rather, will be looked upon by pregnant women
as a tax on childbirth. Raising awareness and workshops with women in ante-natal classes, about active birth
positions, water birth and other pro-active ways in which to reduce the amount of medical intervention, would be a more positive
route to follow.
The RCM represents over 95 per cent of midwives currently practising in the UK. For more on this story, visit the RCM website.
