Fentanyl

[nel1574]

Has anyone used fentanyl during labour for pain relief? If so, what was your experience?

[Traveller]

Fentanyl is commonly a ingredient of epidurals so loads of people will have had it in that sense. Do you mean an injection on fentanyl on it's own though? I wasn't aware that was offered routinely as pain relief, is this something your midwife or OB has suggested? It has quite a short half life so normally if an opiate is requested one with a longer half life such as morphine or pethidine will be used.

Sorry that's probably not very helpful, I'm just interested as to why you are asking.

[nel1574]

My OB has offered it as a drug to assist with anxiety in labour.

[Traveller]

Ah I see, that's a really great idea if you are anxious then. I hope you find someone who has used it so you can get their opinion

[Teeki]

I had it, it was offered before pethidine. I really didn't want pain relief, but I went into shock when my waters broke and I wasn't handling it very well.

I already had the canula in for the anti-nausea stuff, so it was really quick. Once I'd had the shot I got jack of them trying to keep me in their preferred position, rolled over and calmed down. Then it really was quite easy for me until it came time to push. I think it was a combination of the fentanyl and getting comfy that let me relax and DD get into position.