Pregnant women urged to use an epidural during labour
|
Women are being encouraged to use an epidural during labour as research has found it to cut the risk of incontinence in later life
A study of nearly 400 women, carried out by the BJOG, found that an epidural paralyses the key muscles so that injury is less likely to be caused.
Research has previously shown that women who give birth naturally are more likely to suffer incontinence issues as the birth can cause the pelvic muscles to become very weak.
The researchers found that women who have given birth are four times as likely to need hospital attention due to organ prolapses, than those who have not.
Epidurals have received a mixed press in recent years but studies against the pain reliever have shown that risks are very low.
Professor Philip Steer, BJOG editor-in-chief, said, ‘Finding that epidurals may provide a protective effect by reducing levator damage is reassuring.’
By Lauren King
| 
Win a box of Jelly Belly beans!