Expectant mums are being given an urgent warning that may soon derail their birth plans as the NHS has revealed it is facing a shortage of epidural kits to provide pain relief during delivery - alongside a shortage of an alternative pain relieving drug too. Epidurals are an injection given into a patient’s back during labour to stop them from feeling pain.They are always administered by an anaesthetist, - although not everyone can have them, as clinical risks such as heavy bleeding may mean some mums have to rule out the option.