Several hospitals, including the Princess Alexandra Hospital in Harlow, have recently suspended the use of gas and air due to concerns that midwives and doctors have been exposed to unsafe levels. According to BBC journalist Leigh Milner, this decision has deprived many new mothers of the pain relief they had anticipated during labour, a situation that is “absolutely intolerable.”
This month, Cheryl Lake, age 39, was impacted by the restrictions when she gave birth to her daughter Sophie at the hospital. Due to a lack of resources, her two midwives were unable to provide gas and air during the birth. The hospital’s director of midwifery, Giuseppe Labriola, has since installed three temporary units, and permanent units will be installed soon. However, this does not negate the effects of the ban on mothers like Ipswich’s Kirsty Old, 33. The labour for her third child progressed rapidly, and she was only able to receive pethidine and an epidural, despite her preference to remain mobile with the assistance of gas and air.
76% of women in the NHS maternity survey for 2022 used gas and air during labour. Due to inadequate ventilation in delivery suites and labour and delivery wards, many women have been denied access to this pain relief method. Val Willcox, from the National Childbirth Trust, believes it is an urgent matter that requires immediate attention so that midwives can be safeguarded and women in labour have more pain relief options.
Leah Hazard, a midwife and author, expresses sympathy for affected mothers but emphasises that it is ultimately a matter of safety that must be addressed. The Royal College of Midwives (RCM) has advocated for adequate investment in maternity services, including the construction of safe working environments.
NHS England issued new guidance last week stating that hospitals should only suspend gas and air as a last resort, in response to criticism from the RCM. Mothers such as Leigh advocate for greater clarity and assistance from hospitals so that other women do not endure similarly traumatic experiences.
