Morphine instead of Pethedine...tell me more ASAP, cos I am being induced tomorrow??

[Faithful Mumma]

I have read a few birth announcements and birth stories lately where people have been offered and used Morphine instead of Pethedine.....and just wondered about this?

I am being induced tomorrow , and hopefully will only need to have a ARM to get things going (I was able to do this last time), but if I end up on the drip, I seriously doubt my abilities to do it drug free again like last time...however my hospital does not offer Epi's (it is a small country hospital, if things get serious there is a larger hospital that offers everything about 25 mins away)....

I have always refused Pethedine in the past because I hate that drunk/yuck feeling, is Morphine like this? Or do you just feel normal????
And are all hospitals able to offer Morphine, or is this just a new procedure for some hospitals??

Just want to know what to ask for should I need it!

Thanks in advance.

[Artechim]

Morphine is stronger than Pethedine. Both are opiates so if Pethedine makes you feel yuck then I would think that Morphine would too. I have just done a pharmacology course and (in NZ at least) Morphine is not usually offered during labour as it crosses the placenta and can cause respiratory distress in the newborn. The drug of choice here is currently Fentanyl which is a synthetic opiate with less side effects. Good luck xx

[Faithful Mumma]

Artechim- Thanks for that. Does Peth do the same thing, as in cross through the placenta as well? I now vaguely remember something like that...

[Artechim]

I think Peth does cross, but it isn't as strong as Morphine so less likely to cause respiratory distress. But it is only a side-effect - not a certainty - most bubs would be fine. Don't mean to worry you.

[Traveller]

Morphine and pethidine are similar in their effects. They are both opiates, and both are likely to make you feel drunk/stoned. The hospital will likely have their own policy on which one they offer to labouring women.

If you are put on a drip to strengthen contractions then you can still use movement to help you deal with the contractions. So make the most of the birth ball, or moving around the bed. Also think about taking a tens machine with you, as well as the heat packs and massage techniques you probably have already thought of. An induced labour does not mean the natural coping methods are unusable, although you may need to concentrate more on staying calm and relaxed as the contractions will have a bit more punch.

Best of luck for tomorrow

[Faithful Mumma]

Thanks Traveller ....it is just the whole consistent monitoring on the bed thing that I hate with the drip. I delivered my last bub with no drugs, (he was 11lb 2oz, hence the induction on my due date this time. Both my other bubs have been induced at 42wks, as they just love my belly too much...but then they also grow a bit too big! As I had a PPH last time because of DS's size, we have decided to induce on my due date this time, which I am comfortable with ), but spent the whole labour in the shower, as because they only had to rupture my waters to get labour going, there was no need for constant monitoring etc.
I was induced with my first with a drip and know what to expect thankfully..but I did end up with an epi because it took about 3.5 days for the induction to work.

[Traveller]

constant monitoring is a pain. Ask if they have a portable unit so that you won't be tied near the bed, but if they don't then you can still move around the bed, on the ball, on all fours, etc. It is easier for the OB and midwives if you are on your back on the bed because the belts are less likely to lose contact, but that is their issue not yours and if you need to move around then so be it, it will make your contractions easier to cope with.

[Faithful Mumma]

Yep, I will be moving whether they like it or not! I am luck that my GP is extremely pro no intervention as much as possible (which is why when she suggests induction, I know she has valid reasons), so I am pretty sure she will let me do what I need to.......she generally turns off the lights, and has the minimum number of staff needed, and clears the room as soon as bubs is born so you can have some bonding time.

[Traveller]

she sounds fab! It makes such a difference when you trust your care provider and you can go into labour not worrying about fighting or protecting yourself. Hopefully the same thing as happened last time (ARM then natural labour) will happen but it's great you are thinking through all possibilities in preparation for tomorrow.

[Traveller]

And yes, pethadine crosses the placenta and makes the newborn baby sleepy. If given too close to birth an antidote will be needed to help the baby be awake enough to breathe and feed, but a baby who has been exposed to an opiate during labour is less likely to be able to feed at the breast straight away without help.

[black_rose]

Good luck for tomorrow, if you react to pethidine morphine will probably worse. I throw up with pethidine for a few hours and then sleep. On morphine I throw up for days.

[aussienic]

I hate morphine. I had that after a c/s and I kept falling asleep and I just felt all heavy.. I don't know if I would ever choose that for labour.. nor pethadine to be honest. I was given that with my first son during labour but I don't remember it helping to be honest.