Opiate injections used in labour include pethidine or diamorphine.
What are Opiate Injections?
There are two types of opiate injections that you may be offered. This depends on what is available at the time. The two options are called pethidine or diamorphine, which are both strong methods of pain relief. They are administered as an injection, by the midwife caring for you.
Will they work for me?
All pain relief options vary in how effective they are – what works for someone else may not work for you. Opiate injections are a form of strong pain relief and should be effective within 20-30 minutes from when they are given. It is good to be aware that they do not always completely take the pain away but make it more manageable for you. If the injection is an effective method of pain relief for you it can last between 2-4 hours. Opiate injections can also make you feel very relaxed which you may find beneficial throughout your labour.
When are they most effective?
Opiates are only given when you are in established labour, which is when your cervix is around 4cms dilated and your contractions are similar in length, strength and frequency. We recommend avoiding an injection of opiates if delivery is expected or if you are actively pushing. This is because opiates can make you and baby feel drowsy which may have an effect on effective pushing and might mean that baby needs some breathing support at birth.
How are they administered?
Once the midwife has assessed you and discussed that you are in established labour you will remain in hospital on either the delivery suite or Newcastle Birthing Centre. You can then opt to have an opiate injection which the midwife can discuss in further detail with you. It is administered as an injection, in either the muscle of your thigh, upper arm or buttocks. This drug is checked by two registered midwives before it is given.
Are there any risks to my baby?
Opiates can make your baby drowsy, therefore it is not recommended to be used close to the second stage of labour. If your baby is very drowsy as a result of an opiate injection, they made need some breathing support at birth. This drowsiness can also interfere with having an effective first feed.
What other things should I consider?
Opiates can help you to feel very relaxed, therefore some people who have an opiate injection have reported that they feel less ‘in control’. As well as this it can make you feel drowsy or nauseous which can result in vomiting. We give you an anti-sickness drug (an antiemetic) at the same time as the opiate. This is to try and reduce the chance of vomiting.
It is important that you tell us if you have ever had an allergic reaction or sensitivity to an opiate medication. We’d also need to know if you are taking any regular opiate medications such as codeine phosphate.
How many times can I have them?
You can have up to two doses of Pethidine or Diamorphine during labour, prescribed by a midwife. Depending on the circumstances of your labour, it is possible to have a third dose if you need it. This needs to be prescribed by a doctor. If you are on the Newcastle Birthing Centre, you will need to be transferred to delivery suite.
Will I still be able to have a water birth?
Getting back into a birth pool may still be an option. As long as you have only had 1 dose and it has been 4 hours since this, and as long as the midwife caring for you has no concerns about the safety of you and your baby.
Where are they available?
Opiate Injections are available for births on the Newcastle Birthing Centre and the Delivery Suite. Opiate injections are not available for home births.
