Patients giving birth in Brussels may soon have more freedom to move during labour thanks to the introduction of "walking epidurals".
Belgium trials 'walking epidurals'
The Hôpital Universitaire de Bruxelles has launched Belgium's first programme offering the technique, which allows women to remain upright and mobile during labour instead of staying confined to a hospital bed.
An epidural is a type of local anaesthetic that numbs the nerves carrying pain signals from the birth canal to the brain. It is widely used to relieve labour pain, but traditional epidurals usually limit movement in the legs.
According to The Brussels Times, the new approach aims to change that by using a lower dose of anaesthetic so that sensation and muscle control are partly preserved. This means women can sit up, stand and even walk during labour.
The hospital says the new technique reflects a modern approach to obstetrics, which aims to balance medical care with respect for the natural process of birth. By encouraging mobility and active participation from mothers, the team hopes to reduce the need for medical interventions, including assisted deliveries with forceps or ventouse (vacuum cup).
According to the NHS website, some hospitals in the UK already offer "mobile" epidurals that allow women to walk around during labour. However, this requires the baby's heart rate to be monitored remotely (by telemetry), and many hospitals do not have the equipment to do this.