Ontario woman denied epidural supply during labour over shortage
A woman from Whitby says she had to go through delivering her son last week without a constant epidural supply during labour, despite the Ministry of Health saying there is no shortage of catheters in Ontario.
“It was extremely painful, like agonizing pain, and I almost prayed for a c-section at that point [to be prescribed more to regulate the pain],” Triana Burford told CTV News Toronto.
In her medical file available on her phone, the notes from the prescribing doctor indicate a “lack of epidural catheters” prevented her from receiving more than a single dose versus a continuous supply to regulate her pain.
The dose offered also didn’t last as long as intended, she said, enduring for 40 minutes instead of four hours.
In all, her induced labour lasted five hours, with almost an hour after the epidural wore off, she said.
'A CONCERN FOR ALL OF OUR PATIENTS'
The Chair of the Obstetrics and Gynecology section at the Ontario Medical Association Section says the shortage is across Ontario.
“It is a concern for all of our patients, because it’s not the GTA that’s short on catheters, it’s the entire province,” said Dr. Constance Nasello.
Hospital networks have reported shortages or limited supply in recent days, but a spokesperson for the Minister of Health told CTV News on Tuesday the province is overall in a good position compared to others in the west of Canada.
“Currently, Ontario has an adequate supply of epidural catheters and women are able to access epidurals for child birth,” Bill Campbell said in an email statement.
To ensure equitable access, “hospitals will receive instructions on how to assess and report on current inventory in the coming days,” he added.
Burford says if there was no epidural catheter shortage, she would not have been in as much undesired labour pain.
“I would say the ministry is lying,” she said.
The Whitby woman has been pregnant three times. Last year, she lost two twins who were stillborn. She said she had an epidural during her first pregnancy, but refused for the twins.
At Lakeridge Health Centre in Ajax last week, she said she wanted an experience different than the last, from beginning to end.
“This time, I knew I wanted [an epidural], because I did not want to experience that pain again,” she said.
Her son, Cruz, was born happy and healthy. His middle name is Kairo—in honour of one of his deceased older brothers, lost almost a year to the day before.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Grandparent scam: London, Ont., senior beats fraudsters not once, but twice
It was a typical Tuesday for Mabel Beharrell, 84, until she got the call that would turn her world upside down. Her teenaged grandson was in trouble and needed her help.
Deaths of 4 people on Sask. farm confirmed as murder-suicide
The deaths of four people on a farm near the Saskatchewan village of Neudorf have been confirmed a murder-suicide.
George Washington family secrets revealed by DNA from unmarked 19th century graves
Genetic analysis has shed light on a long-standing mystery surrounding the fates of U.S. President George Washington's younger brother Samuel and his kin.
Full parole granted to man convicted in notorious 'McDonald's murders' in Cape Breton
The Parole Board of Canada has granted full parole to one of three men convicted in the brutal murders of three McDonald's restaurant workers in Cape Breton more than 30 years ago.
Sunshine list: These were the Ontario public sector's highest earners in 2023
Ontario released its annual sunshine list Thursday afternoon, noting that the largest year-over-year increases were in hospitals, municipalities, and post-secondary sectors.
Rainfall warnings of up to 80 mm among weather alerts in effect for 6 provinces
Rainfall warnings of up to 90 millimetres and other alerts have been issued for six Canadian provinces, according to the latest forecasts.
Why some Christians are angry about Trump's 'God Bless the USA' Bible
Former U.S. President Donald Trump is officially selling a copy of the Bible themed to Lee Greenwood’s famous song, 'God Bless the USA.' But the concept of a Bible covered in the American flag has raised concern among religious circles.
Bus plunges off a bridge in South Africa, killing 45 people. An 8-year-old child is only survivor
A bus carrying worshippers headed to an Easter festival plunged off a bridge on a mountain pass and burst into flames in South Africa on Thursday, killing at least 45 people, authorities said.
Incident on Calgary's Reconciliation Bridge comes to safe resolution
Calgary police shut down a number of bridges into and out of the downtown core as officers dealt with a distraught individual. The incident lasted almost 20 hours.