An epidural shortage in Canada is panicking expecting parents, forcing them to consider other pain management options and adding to the anxiety of childbirth.
Supply chain issues caused by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic have created a shortage of plastic catheters used to administer the pain medication used in epidurals.
Catheter shortage
There's no issue with the supply of pain medication, but there is a shortage of the catheters used to deliver that medication.
The Canadian government has been able to import catheters from other countries to help.
Between 50 and 60% of labours in Canada use an epidural.
What is an epidural?
An epidural is an injection in your back to stop you feeling pain in part of your body.
They are administered by an an anaesthetist and stop the pain of labour and birth.
A needle is used to insert a fine plastic tube called an epidural catheter into your back near the nerves that carry pain messages to your brain.
And it's these plastic catheters that are in short supply.