Your pain relief options - Pethidine
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Average rating:
Pethidine/Meptid
How it works
Given by injection in the thigh or buttock. Takes 20 minutes to take effect and works for up to three hours. As narcotic drugs, they alter your mood, making you feel relaxed and sleepy.
Pros
- Tension and anxiety may sometimes 'hold back' labour; a small dose of one of these can be just enough to help you relax.
Cons
- Crosses the placenta and can make the baby sleepy, even after the birth, can be serious if given close to delivery.
- Can make you sick, though an additional drug may be given to help prevent this.
- You'll probably be restricted to the bed, as it can make you very sleepy.
Does it work?
Won't remove the pain but can take the edge off it. Some women find the contractions harder to cope with, as they can still feel the pains but are too sleepy to do anything about them. Particularly effective for women who are very tense.
Where can you have it?
At home or in hospital.
When can you have it?
Shouldn't be given too close to the birth.
- Read about epidurals during labour
More help and advice
- Insider's guide to labour and birth
- Inducing labour
- Embarrassing pregnancy questions answered
- Caesareans explained
Average rating:
Where to next?
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A guide to epidurals
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A guide to gas and air
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A guide to TENS
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Advice for dads-to-be
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All you need to know about Caesareans
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Assisted deliveries
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Caesarean link to childhood asthma
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Caesareans explained
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Choosing a birthing partner
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Choosing the right birth partner
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Common pregnancy worries
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Common pregnancy worries: 3rd trimester
Leanne Kazmi, about 1 year
Pethidine was a god send during my first labour as the pain was horrific and I was all tensed up which didn't help. They were about to send me home as I was only dialated 3cms, but I cried and begged them to help me! The midwives took pity on me and admitted me straight away. They gave me a shot of this to help me until I could have an epidural and it was amazing. I felt the pain but as I was completely relaxed I coped better! The change in me was so apparent that my mum broke down in tears and thanked the midwife for helping me. I would recommend this to any nervous first timers. As I knew what to expect during my second labour I still had it but for the pain rather than to chill me out!
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