any help with drugs during labour

[addictedishavingagirl]

i'm just starting to look at what i want to happen during labour.

a little bit of background -

i'm terrified of needles and since being pregnant this seems to have got alot worse, in that i'm shaking and crying uncontrollably (its stupid i know, but i have no control, i blame the hormones)

i think i want to use a tens machine and want as little drugs as possible during birth. but i'm scared of going in to it with no pain relief back up (i mean what if i really cant cope!)

i'm allergic to gas and air so thats out of the question and i just dont think i will be able to deal with an epidural, and i certainly wont be able to relax after the birth knowing there is a little tube still in my back - its just something i cant cope with (i know it may be different during labour, but just incase its not, id rather plan for not being able to cope)

so according to my book i'm left with pethidine or diamorphine

i know they put a canular in, does anyone know if these drugs are administered through the canular? because i could cope with that!

my book doesnt really say anything about the drugs other that they may cause breathing problems for the baby and that if that is the case an antidote can be given.

anyone have any experience with these drugs or can elaborate on any of the side effects for mummy or baby. my book is the nhs pregnancy one and skips over these drugs instead focusing on the positives and negatives of an epidural and gas and air.

They don't always put a canula in so I wouldn't rely on that. Pethidine is normally given as an injection afaik.

Have you considered a water birth? They have a great reputation for pain relief - Michel Odent (very famous obstretician) puts them only below successful epidural in terms on how much pain relief they give.

Also, hypnobirthing might help you, especially as stress/anxiety seems to be an issue.

Oh the other thing is that all drugs have potential side effects. Pethidine might make you sick for example.

This article may help:
www.babycentre.co.uk/pregnancy/labourandbirth/painrelief/pethidine/

thanks for the link. am off to look at that now

i thought it was routine they put a canula in.

i had considered a water birth, but i wasnt sure...its a good job i still have 18 weeks to go. i got alot of reading to do!

well the nhs book doesnt mention the depression, or the baby being drowsey for a few days.

back to the drawing board i feel, and to look more into a water birth