Do you think mothers should pay for their pain relief?

No.

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No and I think it is ridiculous for anyone to think so.

First of all, how in hades do they expect to charge that - upon admission? A "just in case" amount that they'll refund upon discharge?

Second of all, guarandamnteed they bring up the subject when a woman is in the throes of labor, and the only payment they're likely to receive is a five finger clenched fist to the kisser, mid-section or a little lower south.

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Yeah, and I'd really like to know who exactly is going to determine when an epidural is necessary or not?

Are they going to leave it up to a bunch of arrogant busybodies who think they're all that?

"Hmmm... sorry Bridget, you're just not screaming loud enough to warrant pain relief. Suck it up."

I don't think so.

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Uh huh. And then they'll be charging seperately for pain relief during surgery, cause gosh darn it, it's not necessary. Clench those teeth. If you really want it, you'll pay.

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I saw this a while ago on the BBC website, and there was a huge 'Have your say' about it.

I think the issue that midwives are raising is that epidurals are becoming more and more frequently used, and what is happening is that more complications from it are arising. Having an epidural seems to increase the likelihood of a prolonged pushing stage, causing higher rate of C-sections.

Now, I'm speaking from my own experience when I say that I've had an epidural with my first birth.I didn't have any other pain relief, and it got to the point where I felt that the epi was what I wanted.What I didn't count on is that it might cause me to lose the sensation to push, and so I had a very difficult time for 2 hours, trying to push Ruth out.I almost ended up with forceps, and ended up anyway with an episiotomy.

I didn't have it with my second birth, just used gas and air and it was a better birth for me.

I don't know that making people pay for them is the way to go, but I do think that something needs to be done to reduce the need for them.Childbirth hurts like mad, but it is possible for many women to cope with other methods if they are well prepared and advised on what labour is going to be like at each stage.Some women MUST need them, and I understand that, but midwives are the ones having to deliver babies and see thousands of women ending up with various complications because of an epidural.They are just trying to offer a suggestion as to how to reduce the epidural and hence the complications, for those women who ''opt for the injection for non-medical reasons''.I can see both sides.

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Sure, why not? you have to pay for the pain meds you recieve after a C-section, or at least I did.

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