Buscopan in labour

[vixymum2b]

At my antenatal class I was recommended buscopan as an effective painkiller during the 1st stage of labour. I googled it and some scientific studies came up supporting its use, but I could only find it mentioned on these scientific study websites. I was wondering if anyone else has ever used buscopan during labour? Did it help? Thanks!

Not me sorry, I just got the "take 2 paracetamols and take a bath" standard.

Well, I didn't use it and I might be wrong, but isn't it supposed to ease cramps by relaxing the muscles? In which case surely it would be counter-productive in labour? I'd definitely ask a pharmacist before using it.

I gave birth three weeks ago in the British Virgin Islands where there is no gas and air and no epidural and I was reluctant to use pethadine. Towards the end of my first stage I was getting very strong urges to push which we're very difficult to resist and very painful but I was told not to push as I wasn't fully dilated. I had an injection of Buscopan which really helped to relax me and get me through those final contractions. I would recommend it in similar circumstances. Let me know if you have any other questions and I'll answer if I can.

I had it throughout my first pregnancy and second to reduce a lot of the contractions I had... In Italy where I m from they also give it during labour to relax the muscles, and although it seems like a contradiction, it seems to benefit labour as too much pushing or tension is counterproductive....

Thanks that's really interesting. @Metalhead, that's what my mum who is a doctor said, but it seems that it is used in countries other than the UK, and I live in Switzerland. @abellmum and @samarcanda thanks for sharing your experiences, I have heard that it's best to try and relax your muscles through breathing etc so this makes sense. If they offer it to me I think I'll go with it as there aren't as many side effects as pethidine. Thanks!