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Childbirth

Is Fentanyl a drug option in the UK for pain relief during labour?

11 replies

Eatscones · 16/09/2014 22:03

Hi, just curious about fentanyl being used during labour in the UK. My sister had a baby in Canada earlier this year and was offered it. I'm just looking at pain relief options and wondering if it is used here or discouraged etc.?

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Salene · 16/09/2014 22:24

My hospital in Scotland gives you remiphentanal on labour ward.

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UpUpAndAway123 · 16/09/2014 22:34

nope don't think so....more used in anaesthetics. Mainly opiates, diamorphine, pethidine x

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WooItsAGhostCat · 16/09/2014 22:40

If there is a genuine reason why fentanyl should be used instead of pethidine or diamorphine then yes, but it's not routinely offered.
Is commonly used for c-sections.

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Shedding · 16/09/2014 22:45

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Salene · 16/09/2014 22:50

No in our hospital remiphentanal is offered as a drug choice, not just if you can't have a epidural. You have the choice of that, epi & morphine.

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Eatscones · 16/09/2014 23:05

Thanks for the info! I'm hoping G&A will do the trick, but wanted to at least be aware of options and side affects of other pain relief options available. I don't like the idea of pethidine, but know in the midst of pain it may be easy to change my mind!

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SockQueen · 17/09/2014 21:24

Some places offer remifentanil or fentanyl as a PCA (patient-controlled analgesia) - they are connected to your drip and you press a button to get a dose. Both are very rapid acting but wear off very quickly too, so giving it as a one-off injection like pethidine would not work.

Hospital policies vary in how available they are - in some it's freely offered, in some it's only if you can't have an epidural and in others they're just not available. Both drugs are not without their risks, the primary one being that they can slow your breathing right down and make you super-drowsy, dangerously so, but some women find them extremely effective. It can't hurt to ask about it, but don't be surprised if it's not an option!

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Firsttimemama3 · 17/09/2014 21:41

I said all through my pregnancy I didn't want pethidine because of the side effects etc but ended up having it and it was the best decision i could have made so id definately say keep your options open and don't feel guilty about asking for more than gas and air if you feel you need it because once they're here it doesn't really matter! Good luck! Xx

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AWombWithoutAFoof · 18/09/2014 17:48

I had it and fell asleep in labour.

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breakfastinbread · 18/09/2014 18:15

Fentanyl is a common component of the solution used in epidurals, so you may come across it in that setting.

As a one off injection or PCA, it would be very uncommon without direct supervision of an anaesthetist or outside of theatres.

Some centres use remifentail PCAs, as PP poster said, but these have been discontinued in my trust due to concerns regarding safety and midwife to labouring woman ratios. A friend of mine had one though (at a different trust) and thought it was wonderful!

It won't hurt to ask if it's available at your centre, but you may find it's not an option. Ask your midwife?