I'm considering pethadine as pain relief in labour any good/bad experiences?

Answer 1

I had pethedine with my labour after the gas and air was doing nothing for me. I wanted a water birth so was against the pethedine and had heard that it makes the baby drowsy and harder 2 breast feed when they are born. I have 2 say it was the best thing I did. It knocked me out enough so I slept between contractions and I hardly remember anything!!! I was able 2 have a water birth and I think it was the pethedine that sped up my labour (5 1/2 hours) I would def have it again if needed and my baby came out not crying and he breast fed fine straight off. I really think you need 2 have an open mind as everyone's labour is different and its completely down2 how u feel and what u need at the time. good luck!

Answer 2

I have never heard of adverse effects with pethadine - I had pethadine and epidural with my first. The EPIDURAL was what caused me the problems and NOT Pethadine. I've heard of many women not being able to walk after Epidurals - Pethadine wears off very quickly. My second was born too quickly to have anything other than Gas & Air - but Gas & Air made me sick. My daughter has just given birth and she had Gas & Air then a Pethadine shot - she was fine. The Pethadine eased the pain and she felt a bit drunk for a while (what she was saying was hilarious). She was up and walking 10 minutes after the birth and even walked downstairs to wave us off. If you go with Pethadine & Gas/Air I'm sure you'll be fine. I would avoid Epidurals though as they often result in Forceps deliveries and problems xxxx

Answer 3

Good as any, better then most. Pethadine can make for a sleepy baby so it is not given near the end of labor. It allows you to relax by dulling the pain. I even napped between contraction with my first baby ( it was a long labor). Just remember when it's too late for meds and the pain is worst it's almost over.
Mother of seven.

Answer 4

I had it with my first and didn't ever use it again.

It just completely knocked me out - I felt sleepy and confused, I couldn't move, and I didn't feel in control.

Now, for some people, that may be exacly what they want! But I preferred to give birth without drugs after the first time.

But what matters is what YOU want. Have a think about it, talk to as many mothers as you can, and put together a birth plan that you think is right for you.

And don't forget - you're allowed to change your mind! If you find you're not coping with the pain once you go into labour, don't be afraid to say so and ask what other options there are (like an epidural).

Answer 5

I tried just gas and air but resorted to pethadine eventually, when it got rough. All I felt was a little 'floaty' and slightly out of touch with reality, which was only a good thing for me! It doesn't necessarily lessen the pain, but simply makes it less bearable.

There is some debate as to whether your baby will be a little drowsy for a couple of days, but again, it may be a blessing!

Good luck with your birth!

Answer 6

Pethadine made me feel great. It felt like the contractions were very far apart as apposed to every two minutes, and it took the edge of the pain away. Good luck!

Answer 7

I was given diamorphine rather than pethidine during my first labour as it lasts longer - felt very floaty and sleepy - it helps you rest between contractions. Start with gas and air and see how it goes - nothing is set in stone in the delivery suite and you can change your mind at any time. I had 2 further babies and had just gas and air with one and pethidine with the third. unfortunately i dilated very quickly and had my son less than 30 minutes after having the injection which meant it didn't have a chance to work so i was sick an hour after i had it and was light headed for the next 24hrs as i had no pain for it to work on.

Answer 8

I was given Demerol with one of my kids. As far as helping the pain, it did nothing. All it did was caused me to be very groggy, drowsy and slurred my speech. Part of my delivery was a fog, although I could vividly remember the PAIN!!! Check the side effects first, if you are going to be in the clouds and in pain during your delivery, don't take it. An epidural is God's gift to you when in labor. It also has some side effects, but when it works, you go to heaven!!!! You can have contractions that will measure on the Richter scale and sleep right through them! Good luck!!!

Answer 9

have any form of pain relief you can get your hands on. i had three shots of pethidine when i was in labour, 10 hrs later!!! the only problem was my baby slept for almost 24 hours after but it is good stuff and you will feel drunk with it, but it took the edge off the pain fro me, depends hoe quick your labour is as well.
and it didn't hurt the baby either.

Answer 10

no bad experiences , to tell you the truth i dont remember feeling any pain relief from it, i had gas & air, pethidine, tens (actually does help at the begining of labour) and an epidural. if i was to have another baby i would have the epidural booked from day one, i was in so much pain and as soon as the epidural took affect i went from unbearable agony to no pain at all so i swear by it.