Diazepam during labour?

[SpagBol29]

I have quite intense anxiety, specifically around birth and medical situations.

I’m 40weeks tomorrow and, after experiencing labour complications as a result of my panic last time, my mental health MW has suggested I get a perscription for a single dose of diazepam to take during labour should I end up in a panic again.

I’ve never taken it before (have been on citalopram long term pre pregnancy) and hadn’t heard of it being offered in labour.

Does anyone have any experience of this? Was it helpful? Is it a dreadful idea?

Will be speaking to my gp tomorrow but thought I’d fish for some acedotal advice too. Thank you!

I haven’t taken it during labour but I have taken it, and if the midwife is suggesting it it might well be a good idea. A small dose would just take the edge of your anxiety, it’s a light calm sort of feeling that legs you think straight again, you wouldn’t be totally doped or anything like that. I think it sounds quite sensible if the doctors are happy with it and it’s safe for baby.

Lets* not legs

Not a gp but have previously taken oxazepam. I'd be very surprised if it was safe to take in labour; pretty sure it slowed my heartbeat and made me very passive (which was required at the time!). Very best of luck with your labour

I'm afraid I have no experience or knowledge of taking diazepam during labour, but hopefully others can advise on it.

I just wanted to recommend hypnobirthing to you (in case you haven't already looked into it) as I did a class and I think it could be really helpful. The whole point of it is to ease fears and anxieties around birth, and the exercises we did included relaxation, breathing and positive visualisation. I thought it was brilliant - it certainly didn't give me a perfect, pain-free birth, but it helped me to feel more positive and less anxious about the whole thing.

Really! You can take it during labour?! How amazing.

I most certainly would have gone for a second pregnancy if I knew I could have diazepam.

It’s nice, just takes the edge of any anxiety. I think most of the pain during my first labour was due to increasing panic.

I would be wary of taking a new drug while in labour thus. I can get quite anxious and taking a new medication almost always causes me a lot of worry.

I'm currently taking diazepam for a bad back. It's a muscle relaxant. It's only a 2mg tablet so no mental effects, but I'm not sure a muscle relaxant is what you'd need in labour.

Can you ask for a second opinion from another specialist MH midwife?

www.tommys.org/pregnancy-information/labour-birth/pain-relief-labour/hypnobirthing

This study says that a dose of 30mg diazepam or less is ok, but larger doses can have a harmful effect on the baby. I don't know what dose you would need for a panic attack.

www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1587384/

If she/he is willing to prescribe it, go for it.

What complications did you experience last time?

@namechange30 I think 30mg would fell a rhino! 5mg and I get dozy, 10mg and I’m out for the count. So if 30mg is safe that’s good news as can’t imagine anyone in labour would need that much.

OP if the MW says it’s safe I would go for it. If you’re worried about how it would make you feel, don’t be - it’s a lovely, warm, chilled feeling, like you’ve just had a yummy meal and are snuggled on the sofa in front of the fire watching a romantic movie. You’re still switched on and able to think rationally, just not jittery. If possible, ask if you can have 2mg tablets and increase them gradually til you feel the effect, they kick in around 30-45 mins.

Thank you so much for all the replies, thoughts and advice - it’s much appreciated.

I have been practicing hypnobirthing too, I’ve just been doubting my ability to carry it out!

I spoke to my GP on the phone today who has happily prescribed me a one-off very low dose. However, the comments about it being a muscle relaxant have worried me again, surely that’s the last thing you need when your uterus is trying to push out a baby!

I’ve got the perscription good to go, but will do a lot more research before deciding and will hopefully be more successful with the hypnobirthing this time around and won’t even need or think of it when the time comes.

Obviously the best solution by far would be to not use it - so I’ll go in with that aim in mind but it is reassuring to know it’s there if I feel out of control again. I was so surprised when she said it as I’d never heard of that before!

30mg is a max daily dose ... the dose would either be 2 or 5mg .

I take half a tablet, so 1mg, once a year for a medical procedure I need. That knocks me out pretty effectively after half an hour.