The Obstetrics and Gynaecology department of Government T.D. Medical College Hospital, Alappuzha, has recently been upgraded with modern amenities.
“I carried you for 10 months and suffered through childbirth…” words many have heard from their mothers at least once in life. But at Government Medical College Hospital (MCH), Alappuzha, the pain once associated with childbirth is fast becoming a thing of the past.
Over the past three months, 25 women have successfully given birth without experiencing labour pain, thanks to the hospital’s newly introduced painless delivery technique. The method, known as epidural analgesia, involves the administration of pain-relieving medication through a very fine needle inserted through the spine. The procedure is performed with the assistance of an anaesthesiologist.
According to MCH officials, epidural-assisted delivery is also particularly useful in emergencies that may require surgical intervention during labour. Painless deliveries are carried out with the consent of the pregnant women and their families.
Minimum post-delivery issues
The facility for painless delivery has been set up in the Obstetrics and Gynaecology (O and G) department, which has recently been upgraded with modern amenities. “Post-delivery issues such as back pain are typically less common among those who opt for painless delivery. Just like in normal deliveries, mothers can usually be discharged from the hospital by the third day,” said an official.
While private hospitals typically charge between ₹50,000 and ₹1 lakh for painless delivery, the service is available for less than ₹2,000 at the MCH. Women arriving for childbirth are provided with counselling about the availability and safety of the procedure.
The O and G department is equipped to handle up to seven deliveries simultaneously. It also features a 24-bed maternity ward, emergency operation theatres, observation rooms, a dedicated medicine distribution area, and a five-bed intensive care unit (ICU) equipped with ventilators.
Neonatal wing
The associated neonatal wing includes three ICU units with 33 beds. Separate facilities are available for the treatment and care of premature babies, newborns with infections, and healthy babies delivered under normal conditions. Besides, there is a dedicated 20-bed ward for mothers and their newborns to receive continued care and support.
Published – July 19, 2025 04:02 pm IST
