Pethedine vs diamorphine!

[lollypoplady]

I had pethedine during labour with Dc1 and I didn't like it at all, made me feel sick and disorientated. I've had diamorphine as pain relief for other reasons in hospital and it was great, still felt very in control and calm. I know in Scotland they give you diamorphine in childbirth and where I live (UK) they are doing a 'blind trial' so you will get one or the other but have no choice... so far the midwife told me 80% prefer the diamorphine. I would really like to know I could have this as a back-up (am hoping not to need it!) can I request it if I go to my obstretrician beforehand?

no advice but will be watching this thread as at my ante natal class last week I asked if diamorphine was an option at our hospital and the midwife looked at me and said no, "it's heroin ' - cue rest of last class looking at me like I am a terrible mother already. she then had the nerve to ask me where I had heard about it, as if I was some mad junkie! i was mortified

I had a c section last week and was given diamorphine
afterwards .. Have had pethidine in labour before ..
I found the diamorph much better. - had a clear head and no sickness - just felt great - but very normal ... Not floaty or high at all ..
Good luck x

that's interesting - we get a choice between Meptid and Diamorphine - no option for Pethedine (the middle ground?). (am in england btw).
No hospitals in our area can do epidurals either so it has been playing on my mind a bit - I've had pethedine before and didn't like the disconnected feeling, but maybe diamorphine would be ok. Will also be watching this thread with interest as am overdue!

UCLH give diamorphine in labour (even if it is heroin... What a ridiculous thing for that midwife to say.) - it think provided you're still a good few hours from actual delivery.

I'd rate it much higher than epidural. You get about 4 hours relief from it and you can have a half dose just to take the edge of the pain.

Doesn't make you feel odd or dizzy at all. Just takes the edge off and you feel warm and comfy. Pretty tough to achieve otherwise with contractions constantly.

Its the only time I've ever had anything like that so can't really compare other than friends who've had pethedine, felt dizzy, drugged up and vomited a lot.

In terms of taking painrelief in labour, I at first felt like a whimp, but the Anaesthetist who came to do my epidural (which I had after diamorphine - much later...) said that pain in labour has been measured (how I don't know) to be equivalent to having a limb amputated with a small blade (ie kitchen knife type) very slowly without pain relief. Ouch.

I know she would say that as she's the Anaesthetist... Still made me feel better.