Epidural kits are used primarily by anesthesiologists to manage pain during childbirth.
The Saskatchewan Health Authority is asking expectant families to review pain management plans with their care providers as a North America-wide shortage of epidural catheter kits continues.
Kristin Walker of Regina is shown here with her first child, a son, who was born with the help of an epidural. He is now four-years-old. Walker said the child she is currently pregnant with is well over the average size, according to her most recent ultrasound. She said she expects to experience significant pain when the time to give birth comes. Walker said she's aware of pain management alternatives, but believes they are not as trustworthy as epidurals.
"There are risks with every procedure, including the alternatives for the epidurals. But we are well prepared for those risks and we are collaborating across the system, keeping our colleagues who may be dealing with those risks well informed so that everybody is prepared and well practiced in order to deal with them," said Dr. Mateen Raazi, SHA provincial department head of anesthesiology.
Aimee Munroe, a Regina doula, said many mothers are feeling anxious and worried by the shortage news. "A big one would be hypnotherapy. If you're expecting right now and you have time to take a hypnotherapy class, there are some offered in our city and I think that would be a fantastic alternative method. There are some other options that you can use for pain management and medically at the hospital, like the nitrous oxide gas. Sometimes you can use morphine," Munroe said.
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