Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Flip

Original poster

When do most people have painkillers during induction?

25 replies

TheBerry · 13/09/2022 06:50

I'm currently being induced and I had the first 24-hour pessary 15 hours ago.

It's getting to the point now where I'd quite like some pain relief.

How far along the induction process were you guys before you took paracetamol or opioids?

OP posts:

barneymcgroo · 13/09/2022 07:00

If you need some, take some.

If you get put on the drip, advisable to have epidural first if you can/want.

I haven't had an induction, but my SIL has and that was her top tip.

Hope you get to meet your baby soon. X

Original poster

TheBerry · 13/09/2022 07:07

barneymcgroo · 13/09/2022 07:00

If you need some, take some.

If you get put on the drip, advisable to have epidural first if you can/want.

I haven't had an induction, but my SIL has and that was her top tip.

Hope you get to meet your baby soon. X

Thank you - yes, I'm definitely open to the idea of an epidural a bit later on! I'm just not sure I should take paracetamol or opioids yet in case I need them more in a few hours but have already had my allotted dose.

I'm not sure when most people usually take them. The midwives are just like "it varies".

OP posts:

HorsingAround2022 · 13/09/2022 07:19

I had gas and air fairly quickly and pethedine two hours in, once the drip was attached the whole process took four hours.

Towards the end I was absolutely desperate for an epidural but everything happened so quickly there wasn’t time for one, so if you feel you need one I’d have one sooner rather than later, it can always be topped up.

Pheepa · 13/09/2022 07:22

They gave me paracetamol almost immediately after the pessary as it was night time and they wanted me to try and sleep. If you feel you need them have them so you can rest as much as possible.

neverenoughchelseaboots · 13/09/2022 07:22

I asked for paracetamol early on and they gave me a codeine tablet at the same time, it was fabulous for early stages. I had a massive nap.

neverenoughchelseaboots · 13/09/2022 07:23

I should add, the midwives advised to taken the three tablets every 6 hours to keep them topped up and be more comfortable. Take them as early as you can would be my advice.

Dinoteeth · 13/09/2022 07:24

Couple of hours after the second pessary 2 paracetamol and 2 something else and a hot bath.

Baby was born after I got back out the bath. Not exactly the plan. Good luck

Regenbogen22 · 13/09/2022 07:42

I was induced with the gel - nothing happened for 2 hours, then the period pain type contractions started, and 6 hours later the little man was in my arms.

They gave me paracetamol after 2 or 3 hours I think. It did absolutely fuck all. Honestly didn't notice a shred of difference.

Didn't have anything else after that, just got on with it and popped him out.

FatAgainItsLettuceTime · 13/09/2022 07:51

How far has Labour progressed so far, are you having regular contractions and have you been checked for dilation?

I was induced with a pessary but didn't feel any Labour signs for the first 24 hrs. Then they broke my waters and I went from nothing to baby in 4 and a half hours so had some gas n air but no time for anything else.

Dinoteeth · 13/09/2022 09:47

@Regenbogen22 that's exactly what I had really bad period pain in my back. Hence I gratefully accepted the bath that was offered (a bog standard bath not a birth pool)

667TheNeighbourOfTheBeast · 13/09/2022 09:56

I had an epidural after gas and air stopped working, this was a long time ago though 19 years. I was told that being induced meant your body didn’t have time to produce its own endorphins to help with the pain as it does with a natural labour. Not sure how true that is as I’m very out of date ! Anyway good luck x hope all goes well

MuggleMe · 13/09/2022 09:58

Take paracetamol as soon as you feel you need it. Ime labour progressed quite quickly from that point and you get the harder stuff when you need it.

Longbin · 13/09/2022 10:00

I would also recommend having the epidural in before the drip (if you need the drip later on)

sanityisamyth · 13/09/2022 10:01

Didn't have anything (including gas and air as it made me feel nauseous) until the 79th hour. He was born at the 80th hour ...

vroom321 · 13/09/2022 10:09

I took paracetamol as I couldn't bare the pain. 30 min later I buzzed asking if I could be given anything. They said I had to wait 2 1/2 hours. I wish I'd known.

Jules912 · 13/09/2022 10:12

Don't refuse the epidural with the drip! I thought I was fine on gas and air ( and didn't like the idea of an epidural) but was begging for one within half an hour of the drip going on but then had to wait for the anaesthetist to be available.

Danikm151 · 13/09/2022 10:15

I asked for pain relief but the dr was busy. Next time I asked they checked and I was in labour and they told me it was too late for any pain relief and I should have asked earlier! I bloody did!

Tamtam86 · 13/09/2022 10:15

When I was induced with my second baby I told them straight away I would want an epidural - they said I just needed to be actually feeling the pain of contractions first so that we would know it was working, but I signed the form and had the briefing with the anaesthetist before I went on the drip so that as soon as I was in pain I could have the epidural in. I'd take paracetamol straight away though. Good luck!

vroom321 · 13/09/2022 10:19

Danikm151 · 13/09/2022 10:15

I asked for pain relief but the dr was busy. Next time I asked they checked and I was in labour and they told me it was too late for any pain relief and I should have asked earlier! I bloody did!

Same happened to me. The only think I put in my birth plan was the epidural.

vroom321 · 13/09/2022 10:20

I no was alone from 8pm until 4.40am my contractions started at 10pm. It was awful.

20viona · 13/09/2022 10:22

I was induced last week. Started the drip at 6.15pm I had paracetamol at 7pm but that was for a headache more than anything 🤣 gas and air at 9.05pm and my daughter was born at 10.18pm.

vroom321 · 13/09/2022 10:25

20viona · 13/09/2022 10:22

I was induced last week. Started the drip at 6.15pm I had paracetamol at 7pm but that was for a headache more than anything 🤣 gas and air at 9.05pm and my daughter was born at 10.18pm.

But you had the drip?

20viona · 13/09/2022 10:32

Yes I had a sweep at 1.45pm, waters broken at 4.15 and then the drip 2 hours later. I surprised myself with my pain threshold this time. This was my second induction. Then again last time I didn't have the drip but I only had gas and air for 2 hours before giving birth.

Thewolvesarerunningagain · 13/09/2022 10:38

I had the drip with my first as I was already 3cm. Drip got up to speed at 2pm, Dd born 8.40. I had a dose of diamorphine somewhere in there which made me confused and upset. Other than that it was gas and air. I can't think why I thought I shouldn't have an epidural but in the same boat I'd have it I think. Everyone is different, but don't let yourself be steamrollered. If you need pain relief now, have it now. I can't get the logic of 'save it for when you need it'. If you need it now and you don't get it you're just tiring yourself out.
Hope all goes smoothly for you. X

HammerToFall · 15/09/2022 21:36

I work on labour and delivery just bear in mind that if there ends up being a load of emergencies doctor could be gone for hours in theatre. I'd get them write pain redlined Uk on your drug chart ready for if you need it. That's what I did recent when I was anti natal
Ward for a week and I'll be doing the same if end up labouring. (Looks like a section at the minute due to controller diabetes)

Flip