In recent times, the spotlight has been on “painless” childbirth, medically termed labor analgesia. The General Office of the State Council’s new measures aim to enhance reproductive health services by incorporating appropriate labor analgesia and assisted reproductive technology projects into medical insurance reimbursement. This move is expected to boost the adoption of labor analgesia, sparing more mothers from the agony of childbirth.
Reporters from “Xinhua Viewpoint” have uncovered that while the penetration rate of labor analgesia in China is on the rise, regional disparities are evident. In some areas, especially in the western regions and below the county-level medical institutions, the application rate remains relatively low. For instance, in a central prefecture-level city surveyed, the rates ranged from 12% to 47% in 2023, averaging around 30%. However, in certain hospitals like West China Women’s and Children’s Hospital of Sichuan University, the acceptance rate is high, with over 80% of natural births opting for it.
Despite the progress, the promotion of labor analgesia faces significant hurdles. Public awareness is a major concern. Many expectant mothers and their families harbor doubts. Ms. Li from Wuhan faced family opposition due to unfounded fears of harm to the baby. Moreover, the shortage of anesthesiologists poses a practical problem. The anesthesia process demands their presence, but their limited numbers, especially in general hospitals with heavy surgical loads and some county-level facilities, impede the wide implementation. Cost also acts as a deterrent, as it incurs additional expenses compared to regular natural childbirth.
To address these issues, the government and medical community are taking steps. The National Healthcare Security Administration has issued guidelines for obstetric service pricing, and some regions have already included labor analgesia in insurance coverage. Experts suggest measures such as systematic training for anesthesiologists to improve their skills and using new media to enhance public awareness, especially among pregnant women. Additionally, calls for strengthening the cultivation of anesthesiologists and training existing hospital doctors in anesthesia knowledge have been made to ensure the broader availability and acceptance of labor analgesia in the future.
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