Anybody use IV pain killers for their labor?

Question

What kind did you use?

Did you combine that with any other pain managment meds or techniques?

What did you think of it?

Did you, or your baby have any negative side effects?

Just exploring all my options here. Thanks for your help.

I've got some buldging discs in my lower spine...I've got to talk to my doc about it still, but it makes me question whether an epidural is my best option...so I just want to learn what else is out there.

Answer 1

i had an iv during my labor...they gave me stadol. it mustve worked REALLY well b/c i slept through 90% of my "hard labor"...i woke up every 15 minutes for maybe ONE contraction then i would fall back asleep. the stadol also made me extremely tired during my pushing and i didn't even feel the pain...i jus felt like i was trying to poop-which was all i was worried about also-i continuously asked if i was pooping lol-but it also did NOT affect my baby at all. he came out wide awake as ever and screaming :) good luck!

Answer 2

The most common IV med given during labor is Nubain. It is a narcotic, similar to morphine. This drug will "take the edge off" but it definitely won't make for a pain-free labor - epidurals offer the most effective pain relief. You will find that with Nubain your contractions might feel a bit less intense, and you are better able to relax in between contractions. But it will still be painful.

There are risks with anything, and with Nubain, the risk is that either mom or baby could have respiratory depression, which is easily corrected with Narcan. It is best if given more than 3 hours before actual delivery, so that it has time to wear off before the baby is born, lessening the risk that baby will need some help breathing after birth.

I work with a nurse who has been in L&D for 30 years, and she has NEVER seen a baby who needed Narcan after delivery, so I think that says a lot about how safe it is.

Epidurals also come with risks. The most common one we see is the mother's blood pressure can drop a little low. We can give ephedrine to raise the pressure again. Another potential consequence is that when it comes time to push, you might be too numb and might not be able to push effectively, which is why sometimes women end up needing c-sections. But most hospitals can turn the epidural pump off and let it wear off a bit so that you can feel some sensation to direct your pushing. Other very minimal risks could include a spinal headache, or nerve damage (very very rare).

Ultimately, epidurals give the most complete relief - but they are not 100% and sometimes they do not work at all, especially if your labor is progressing very rapidly.

Answer 3

I used Demerol with my first child I had no negative side effects neither did my baby it just relax me so I would dilate faster ,with my second child they gave it to me too soon and it stop my contractions the next morning the doctor broke my water then my contractions started again about an hour later the nurse gave me another dose and it did not relax me at all it didn't even ease up the pain of the contractions but after I had my baby he had no negative side of effects but I passed out when they were trying to get me to use the restroom, I was light headed for about 3 or 4 hours I think they might of gave me too much Demerol or it could of been to much stress on body trying to push out an 8lb baby for about 2hours, having babies will put stress on anyones body.

Answer 4

i think it is not recommended because it drugs the baby also. an epidural should be all you need if pain management is necessary. an epidural does not drug the baby also, so is much better.

Answer 5

epidural, and i loved it!! no negtives, except it slowed down my pushing. But my son came out with his arm by his head, so it would have beedn very difficult and painful to deliver him no matter what.

Answer 6

ummmm no i have never had a IV in me.but i did have to have some really good pain killers when i had the shingles....those such..and i got those when i was 12