Some hospitals use pethidine, others use morphine. Supposedly, morphine has superior pain relieving effects and the same impact on the baby. Pethidine is not so good as a pain reliever.

All drugs, including gas and epidural, will affect your baby. For many people, this difference is not so apparent until they have a totally natural birth (no drugs, no induction etc) and compare it to their medicated births in the past.

Calmbirth is a great natural method to use if you're wondering what you can do to minimise your perception of the pain and avoid pain medication. Also hot packs, positioning, bath / shower .... the list goes on.

Melissa.