‘Difficult discussions’ as NHS faces shortage of childbirth pain relief

Childbirth organisations warned that some women in labour were already facing long delays before they received pain relief. Photograph: David Jones/PA

The NHS has been hit by a shortage of epidural kits to give mothers-to-be, a key form of pain relief during childbirth, as well as the drug that women are offered as an alternative.

Supplies of epidural kits and the painkiller Remifentanil are now under such pressure that some hospitals cannot offer pregnant women their usual right to choose which one they want to reduce labour pains.