Advocating for universal access to epidural analgesia for women during childbirth: a scientific review Polish National Social Campaign "Hear the voice of pain".

In Poland, epidural analgesia in labour is reimbursed from public funds by the National Health Fund, and yet many women are still unable to access it. The main factor limiting the accessibility of this procedure is the lack of an anaesthesiologist. Compared to other fields of medicine in which anaesthesiologists are involved, the needs of women giving birth are often marginalized and do not constitute a priority for the managers of medical entities. In 2022, 14% of births took place under analgesia, rising to 17% in 2023, and 23% in 2024. Despite the positive trend, still, on average, only one in four women can count on giving birth without unnecessary suffering. The aim of the article is to review the current legal ramifications of labour analgesia in terms of international, European, and Polish law.