Pethidine/diamorphine confusion

[Teamkhaleesi]

I’m so confused about pain relief! With my first I had an epidural as was induced by drip and had no breaks in between contractions at 1cm. I’m hoping I go naturally this time and manage to resist an epidural. I’ve heard a lot of people rave about pethidine - but last time I was told I couldn’t have it. One midwife said it’s the same as diamorphine they’ve just changed the name and another looked confused and said it didn’t exist anymore. I don’t know why especially as a friend was given 2 shots of pethidine in labour a few months ago (we live in different parts of the uk if that makes a difference). Can anybody tell me if pethidine and diamorphine are the same thing or if that’s not true? And also if you can tell me your experiences of either I’d be so grateful!

I don't think they are the same. I was given diamorphine with both of mine

www.babycentre.co.uk/a1048281/birth-partners-guide-to-pain-relief#section3 looks like they are similar but not identical

I think diamorphine is heroin (an opioid pain killer) & pethidine is a synthetic opioid pain killer. Not the same thing but similar action/effects.

Peth makes you drowsey tho i hated it

They are different medicines, but basically the same, both an opiod. It depends on the situation they may not offer it to you. If given too close to the end of labour it can cause issues with baby breathing and feeding after birth as it does cross the placenta (it's basically like having a big ole dose of heroin just before giving birth), so they may refuse to offer it. This may be especially the case if you are having other complications, erratic heart rate, etc. Personally, I've not known anyone who's had it and liked it. They all said it made them feel weird or sick and caused issues for their babies after and they wouldn't have it again. If you want to have a natural birth, what about trying something like hypnotherapy? I used it for my first and it was wonderful. I felt really comfortable, didn't even need any gas & air.

They are similar but not the same and as explained above the side effects are not great. In addition, they just take the edge of the pain, you will still be in pain. This is what we were told in our NCT course, I haven't taken any of them. Not all hospitals offer the same opiod drugs, that would explain why your friend could get it.

The hospital I had my dc at would only give diamorphine and I had it with both of mine. I took it both times as I was desperate and they wouldn't offer me anything else. With ds I had it about 3.5-4 hours before delivery and he was very sleepy after birth, although I'd had a long labour so that could be it too. With dd I had it about an hour-90 minutes before birth and she was born wide awake and fed well from the get go (short labour though). It doesn't kill pain, it just made me incredibly sleepy in between contractions and meant that I was 'out if it' I couldn't speak properly or convey my wishes or wants which was hard. But when they offer nothing else and you need more pain relief then you take it!

I hated pethidine with my first, was out of it, and my memory of the birth is hazy. Stuck with gas and air for my second and I'd rather have the pain than the sleepiness. If only I'd known with my first that when you get to the "this is too much" stage, it's nearly over-I could have gone without it.

My midwife mentioned another one that's new aparantly. Begins with R. It's via a drip. It has a sedative effect. Lasts a couple of hours.. And is effective. Then they too up of needed as and when. The upside is it wears off quick and more likely to be allowed home earlier. As my biggest fear is having to stay in overnight.. Which obviously can't be helped but it scares me massively

Yes in our hospital we had remifentanil (sp) which was fab. A quick shot every contraction which wore off after a minute or so.