Epidural in labour can reduce risk of serious complications by 35%, study finds

Epidurals were also more effective in women who went into labour prematurely, or who had previous medical or obstetric conditions. Photograph: Montgomery Martin/Alamy

Having an epidural during labour can reduce the risk of serious childbirth complications by 35%, according to research that suggests expanding access to the treatment may improve maternal health.

An epidural is an injection in the back to stop someone feeling pain in part of their body. Making them more widely available and providing more information to those who would benefit from one was even more important than previously thought, researchers said.