Do narcotics during labor make you sick?

Question

I don't want an epidural and my midwife doesn't give them anyway, but narcotics are available if requested. Do they make the laboring mother nauseous? Also, which narcotic has the least side effects?

I'm a mother of 3 children, now 18 weeks pregnant.

Answer 1

They affect all women differently, but generally, yes, narcotic, opioid and synthetic opioid pain relievers (including Nubain, Fentanyl, Demerol, Morphine, etc.) have the tendency to create nausea. The drugs can act on the vestibular apparatus of the inner ear - which regulates equilibrium. Think motion sickness. Also, narcotics decrease gastric and intestinal motility, meaning acids and digestive juices sit and don't move, and food doesn't digest as easily, which can also contribute to nausea.

Some women might say that they would rather feel nauseated and vomit rather than feel the pain of labor and that it's worth it. You also have to remember that narcotics cross the placenta and cause the same effects as you experience, except they last longer since babies can't metabolize drugs as efficiently as adults. Narcotics are best if given several hours before the birth of the baby, to help prevent respiratory depression, a rare but serious consequence of narcotics in a newborn. The tough part is, when you really need the relief is in later labor, especially in transition. The effects don't last long enough if you give it in early or mid labor. It's a hard balance to manage.

Fentanyl would probably be my recommendation, because it has the shortest half life of all the commonly given narcotics - about 1 -2 hours. Multiple doses can be given.

It's also important to note that labor itself can make you nauseated and cause vomiting. So if you take narcotics in labor and become sick, it might not necessarily be directly caused by the drugs, it might just be labor.

Answer 2

I had always heard that narcaotics (and an epidural) make a woman sick during labor and was terrified of that happening to me. Thankfully, I didn't feel the least bit nauseous. I had nubain (and an epidural). Maybe it works differently on different women? They have other medicines that they can give you if the pain meds make you sick, but you probably have to ask for them specifically.

Answer 3

Narcotics effect people on an individual basis. If you never taken a particular drug you won't really know until you do.
There isn't one drug that is better or worse than the other. It is a matter of the filler drugs. for example, if you have a hard time taking ibuprofen you should ask for a drug that uses Tylenol. In my experience I can't take Vidodin or Percocet, they make me puke. But I can take Tylenol with codeine or Darvocet, they are milder for me. But be warned narcotics will make you sleepy and if you use to much, constipated.
Good Luck!
Happy Birthing

Answer 4

Yes, they can make you quite sick. Demerol is given routinely, but you might ask for Fentanyl. However, I strongly reccomend getting an epidural. I had A-W-F-U-L back labor, and was in desperate pain. My epidural was inserted during contractions (you don't even feel it,) and the pain subsided right away.
P.S., a midwife won't usually administer one, if you give birth in a hospital they will have an anestesiologist hook you up.

Answer 5

Narcotics can slow down your labor. Epidurals are ok if you want life long back problems afterwards. Every woman in my family(except me) have had epidurals and to this day have back problems especially when it is cold or on their monthly's

Answer 6

I never had an epidural, (3 labors). I got nauseous over anything. Drugs make me loopy. I felt it was worse than dealing with it on my own.

Answer 7

they can make you sick, it depends on the woman, they didnt make me sick but i have heard they make alot of women sick.....your sick anyway during labor so its kinda your call.