Airheaded ban

I WAs shocked to read John Naish’s report (Good health) on some hospitals banning gas and air for women during labour. What a terrible idea.

Many years ago, when I had my first child, I was given pethidine, which made me and my baby drowsy and failed to ease the pain.

When I was having my second, I asked for gas and air — and what a difference it made. The effects only lasted while you inhaled the gas and air, so there was no lasting effect on me or my baby.

I wonder who decided to remove the gas and air machines? It must have been either men or midwives without children of their own.

Ann CRuICKSHAnK, Lytham St Annes, Lancs.