Diamorphine? pethidine..pain relief?

[MissMartin10]

I've got a long way to go yet and always said ill never have a epidural so ive been looking at other pain relief, has anyone got any experience of diamorphine or pethidine and What did it enthrall? would you have it again ect?
Thanks x

No. But I'm interested why you would consider that not epidural. I was the opposite

i really wanna try have nothing as i don't like taking anything atall but i know im saying that now and this will change alot when im actually giving birth haha, So I'm just looking for experience's but then again everyone's different so maybe it was a pointless question lol

Not a pointless question, I'm curious too :-). Pregnant with dc1, also want minimal intervention. Defo don't want epidural unless absolutely necessary. Don't want anything else either but just in case I would like to know people's experiences. Big concern of mine is feeling too out of it during the birth, and also being made too sleepy to push properly!

I didn't like the way that pethidine and diamorphine made me feel detached and out of control. Losing track of time, dozing, waking for contractions, not being able to follow conversations, not being sure what I'd said or who I had said it to. But then again, I didn't like the epidural either as it didn't work properly. And gas and air makes me feel sicky.
I think I'm just difficult to please - sorry.

No, it's not a pointless question.

I felt like that. And that's why I ruled out pethidine. Once it's injected, that's it, it's in your system. You can't remove it, just wait it out. And you don't know how it will affect you until you have it.

For the same reason I refused to try E as a teenager, I didn't want pethidine. (Though obviously better quality control )

I figured if I got to the point where I needed the epidural then that ship had sailed. I am not sure I see them as different alternatives for the same point really - but as potentially good for different things. Others will disagree on that.

Tick's experience is the one I was desperate to avoid fwiw. I hated my epidural too. But I love, love love gas and air.

The best pain refleif I had was the pool.

I had pethadine, tried the tenns machine, gas and air (I ended up with an emcs) so pretty had every pain relief going, and nothing helped with the pain as much as the pool.

The best thing I did for pain relief was go to a natural childbirth class, where I learnt some breathing and self hypnosis techniques. I actually ended up having a cesarean, but because I was able to stay in control (being in a great deal of pain makes in hard to be rational) I could negotiate with the HCPs to get the birth I wanted in the circumstances.

Your body may do all sorts of things you didn't expect. Have an idea of what you want of course, but try to be flexible and roll with the punches. The important thing is getting the baby out, and you being in a fit state to care for him/her . That last bit is what sometimes gets overlooked.

Hope all goes well!

My hospital doesn't have diamorphine. Have you asked the midwife they have it? I couldn't have pethidine because of childhood risk of epilepsy.

yeah i really wouldn't want to feel out of it i was just watching one born and there was a lady who had diamorphine and she was pretty out of it and explained it as when the room spins when your drunk i think that would be awful but she seemed to love it so it sparked off my curiosity hehe. . i would love to have a water birth with just gas and air ideally. . my mum gave birth to me my bother and sister on that alone and my step mum gave birth with 2 paracetamol i also want as little intervention as possible too

Well, after reading reluctant's post, I have to say I didn't actually use anything. Not even gas and air for DD1. For DD2, I did a few puffs during transition but it actually didn't do anything so I dumped it. I'm not sure if it's the pregnancy yoga or a higher pain threshold. The midwives reckon it's the later. Not everyone finds labour that painful. You usually hear the worst stories, that's all. I know at least another two mums who went without anything (because both gave birth unexpectedly outside a hospital).

Yep, every labour is different. The shape of your uterus, the position and size of the baby, your level of fitness can all affect things. That's why you've got to be prepared to adapt.

I'm don't really like feeling drunk either - so may be that's why I wasn't keen on some of the pain relief.

DC2s birth was much better in the sense that it was too fast for pain relief. I did a lot of breathing and talking myself into being calm. I kept trying to shift the pain and tension from my torso to my hands - which did help.

I'm not sure if it's the pregnancy yoga or a higher pain threshold. The midwives reckon it's the later.

Oooh, you know what, it gives me the rage when people say this. It's so patronising! It isn't a higher pain threshold. Different labours hurt different amounts. And, for example, if you have gone without sleep for two consecutive nights you will be less able to deal with X amount of pain than someone who has just woken up and who has only suffered that pain for 20 minutes.

The MW nastily 'comforted' me that I had a low pain threshold with DD1 (every intervention going). When I had back to back DD2 without even gas and air I seriously considered tracking her down to laugh in her face.

I loved gas and air! That made me feel more 'out of it' than anything else.

After a few hours I had to get my waters broken, and the pain got so bad, they gave me diamorphine. I remember being politely asked, "would you like some stronger pain relief?" and I'm sure my response was a less dignified version of "yes please"

I don't remember much after that, but apparently (according to my notes which I saw at my recent midwife appointment - I'm pregnant with my 2nd) diamorphine allowed me to sleep in between contractions, plus I was still using gas and air. When it came to the pushing part a few hours later, I wasn't out of it at all. It helped me rest. I think the diamorphine did make me throw up to be honest, but I don't regret having it, and would get it again if offered.

Oh, and also, even if it was a difference in pain threshold, it's said in such a congratulatory way when, presumably, there is naff all you can do about it.

yeah definitely i would What ever it takes to make sure baby is safe but im willing to sufer myself with the pain aslong is it doesn't affect baby.. hopefully ill have a good pain threshold aswell. The only thing i HATE/scared of is needles so i want as few as possible

A doctor friend of mine was always pro epidural as it gives excellent pain relief whilst leaving you fully compos mantis. He's been at many births where pethidine etc were used and the mother was always a bit 'out of it' sometimes she didn't even realise she'd given birth

oh libraries Sorry! didn't see your pain threshold comment until i posted that haha

I should feel the pain before you decide if you're willing to suffer it without any relief MissMartin10 . People don't get broken legs set without any pain relief these days just to prove something, and equally, I'm not sure what's achieved by a pain relief free delivery.

Pethedrine (sp?) felt fantastic. I felt almighty on it. But be warned it has side effects - one is just inconvenient - you get very constipated (which could cause stitches etc to be put under pressure.)

But the other I wasn't told about until years afterwards - it stops your milk from coming down for days. I remember a friend asking if I got that prickling feeling under my arms when the milk was coming in and not knowing what she meant. She got it about two days after birth. I got it three months in. My milk was in short supply and we needed to top up with formula from the start. If I'd known, there were things you can do to counter this - a safe drug you can take to boost milk supplies, and herbal remedies like milk thistle and fenugreek.

I had pethadine with DC1 and still managed to have a water birth. The pethadine didn't make me feel out of it, just drowsy. It was a good option for me as I had a very long labour and it gave me the chance to rest and have a bit of sleep. A word of warning though, it doesn't take the pain of the contraction away but just takes the edge off. Once I was ready to push the pethadine had worn off and I was able to get into the birthing pool. I felt revived by the rest/sleep, which was very much needed. The best form of pain relief was the birthing pool. It really was fantastic and if it's possible for you (and you want to try it) I'd really recommend it.
At the start of both my labours I used the tens machine and I found that helpful too. Then moved into gas and air once the pushing phase started, I also found that to be helpful.

I had it in both births and loved it - plan to use it again for dc3
Hated g&a, just made me dizzy and sick and didn't want an epidural so I could move, don't like the thought of being restricted

Took the edge of contractions for me and I even dozed inbetween them with dc1, but felt 'with it' enough for the pushing stage

Just think it's a personal thing which works best for you

Just to say, the midwife will be careful not to give the pethadine too late in the labour as it can affect the baby. If given late, once born, it can make the baby very drowsy which can lead to feeding issues (if you choose to breastfeed). So if you do decide to have it make sure you tell the midwife early in the labour as you don't want to miss your chance.

I had pethidine at 3cm because the mw was convinced it would be hours before the baby was born. Half an hour later, I started to push. DD was sleepy when she was born and we struggled with breastfeeding for a long time. I'm really hoping to avoid it this time around.