Staffordshire Mother's new epidural

Beth Larner, of Burntwood, delivered healthy twin boys at the Queen's Hospital's maternity unit and credits the mobile or 'walking' epidural with giving her the 'perfect labour'.

She said: "I had been a bit nervous about giving birth to twins naturally. I knew I'd need an epidural, so when the doctors told me I could have a new type that would enable me to stay in control, move my legs and feel the urge to push, it was an easy decision."

It took just five hours for Charlie, weighing 5lb 1oz, to enter the world on April 7, closely followed by his brother Oliver who weighed in at 3lb 12oz.

Both remained in theneo-natal unit at the Burton upon Trent hospital for two weeks but their mother and father, Matt, were delighted to bring them home on Monday to join their big sister Grace, who is almost two.

Beth said: "It was a surprise to go into labour at 34 weeks but the whole experience was fantastic. I knew I was having contractions but felt no pain and was able to spend two hours chatting to my sister.

The majority of expectant mothers opt for pain relief during labour, with many choosing epidural.

The mobile epidural delivers a low dose anaesthetic to the spine but with less numbing in the legs than the traditional procedure.

Dr Essam Aly, lead consultant obstetric anaesthetist at Burton Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: "The technique offers excellent pain relief for most women in labour which enables more movement in the lower body and means women can push more effectively in the second stage of labour.

"Patients are also less likely to need ventouse or forceps during delivery, although it is important to remember that the primary aim of this kind of epidural is to relieve pain – keeping women mobile is a secondary concern."

The trust will be investing more than £25,000 a year in the new service.