Madam, - Thank you for highlighting the value of water for pain relief in labour (Dick Ahlstrom, Health Supplement, January 27th). Many women and midwives have known about this for decades. The new research highlights the decrease in chemical augmentation (oxytocin) and epidural anaesthesia, coupled with a more positive experience for mothers.
Could the procedures in our maternity hospitals now change to offer all women the use of birth pools, baths and showers as a first option, rather than the standard "breaking the waters" and oxytocin to speed up labour (making it more painful)? Here is a health service change that would save money and increase consumer satisfaction - surely there is still some common sense left in our beauracracies? - Yours, etc.,
MONICA O'CONNOR,
Ballymurphy,
Tullow,
Co Carlow.