Hospitals nationwide to offer pain-free childbirth

China plans to expand access to pain relief during labor and delivery as part of efforts to build a birth-friendly society, health authorities said on Thursday.

By the end of this year, all tertiary hospitals offering obstetric services in China will be capable of delivering epidural anesthesia during childbirth, and by 2027, all secondary hospitals will be able to provide the services, according to a notice released by the National Health Commission and the country's top traditional Chinese medicine and disease control authorities.

Efforts will be made to strengthen building infrastructure needed for administering epidural labor relief, such as setting up a dedicated procedure room that meets strict sterilization standards and ensuring constant monitoring of hospital-acquired infections.