Pethidine and diamorphine

[CookieDoodles]

What are people's experiences of having either of these pain relief drugs during labour?
I'm due in a couple of weeks and I'm writing my birth preferences. Ideally I'm hoping to go with gas and air and some Hypnobirthing techniques to get me to through, but was open to taking pain relief drugs if need be.
However - the cons seem to massively outweighs the pros with these drugs! I can't stand being sick/feeling nauseous (who does I guess!) and the thought of dealing with that as well as labour pains does not appeal! As well as feeling dizzy and disoriented.
Then there's the chance of some of the drug being passed to baby.
So has anyone used these drugs and were glad that they did!?

Had it twice with DC1. I loved it. Very relaxing, allowed me to sleep and made contractions slightly bearable.

I had pethidine and it just made me feel off my face, I 2as galling asleep and dropping my gas and air thing, but the contractions were still just as painful as they were before so I wouldn't have it again. I was also really sick after the birth which im not sure if the pethidine caused it but I'm sure it didn't help

I had Pethidine a few times for post op pain and I knew it made me throw up for England. They gave me it with DD1 and it was no different. I was out cold for the best bits and only awake for the painful bits and throwing up. The anti-sickness jab they gave with it didn't work at all.

With DS 5 years later, they offered it again and I insisted they just give me a half dose and a different type of anti-sickness. They weren't keen and I had to beg and plead, but when I got what I wanted, my God, the difference! Much better.

I think I must just be sensitive to it.

I didn't want pethidine or diamorphine as I too was worried about feeling sick during labour. In the end I used a TENS machine and it worked wonders for me I didn't need anything else. Just press that BOOST button when you feel a contraction coming on!