[Impatientmummy]

I had an appointment with my ob today & went through my birth plan, all was good but he commented that they no longer use pethidine as to many doctors were abusing it! They now use morphine, I thought ok no worries but now I'm home I'm wondering what the difference is as I had pethidine last time & want to know if I go that way again it is going to give the same relief. Has anyone had morphine for labour pain, if so how affective was it? He also mentioned they have been trialing injected saline into the spine like they would an epidural but you can still feel legs etc but its been working really well & is a good option if I need further pain relief in water because you can only have gas if your in the water, has anyone had this before either?

This post has been edited by Impatientmummy: 10/08/2012, 07:24 PM

[B.Bundles]

I haven't had either, but my understanding is that pethedine is a very old opiate drug, and isn't really used in any areas of medicine any more, except for some obstetric wards yet to update their approach. It's addictive, causes more nausea than morphine and can have sedating effects on the baby. If I had the choice I'd go with morphine.

[notjustalawyer]

I had morphia while in labour with my daughter. She was posterior and I was having what felt like a constant contraction in my lower back before I had it. Once they gave it to me I was falling asleep between contractions... I am 3 weeks away from number 2 and will def be going down that path again if I need pain relief. Good luck!

[Impatientmummy]

Thanks for the replies Good to know it will work just as well, it took some convincing for me to have pethidine so was just a bit worried about having to have something different this time as the pethidine worked really well (and DH got a real good laugh from my ramblings lol). I'm hoping this time I wont need it planning a water birth but will see what happens As for the saline injection I'm guessing no one has come across this yet? A lady from daycare has mentioned her friend had it & it did work really well so I think I will give it a try before anything else & if I do I will come back & share my experience with it. 2 weeks to go hopefully

[soontobegran]

The injections of saline or water are not given into the epidural space, they are given into the skin and some people find the sensation comforting with the pain being relieved somewhat. Not all hospitals do this but there is no harm in asking.
Morphine is the preferred narcotic for many doctors now.

[scarfie]

It's actually sterile water injections, and as STBG says they are not injected into the same space as the epidural drugs are. You need at least two injections and they are placed just under the skin at the pressure points on your lower back. They sting as they go in, about 30 secs of very intense stinging, but often give very good relief. They last 2-4 hours.

[crocodilessnap]

I had the saline with DDs birth and personally I found them worse than the posterier labour contractions I was having, they gave me contraction relief for maybe 30 minutes and that's only because I was in so much pain from the injections I couldn't concentrate on both at once
I know of people that had wonderful experiences with the injections so it's not all bad but I thought I'd tell you about mine as you asked

[Impatientmummy]

Thanks for the info The doctor didn't explain a great deal about injection site, I assumed it was in the same spot as an epi, very relieved its not!

[Suz01]

Has anyone had experience using a TENS machine, and are they worth hiring. I'm in regional NSW so will have to hire from away. Want to proglong my stay at home, and would appreciate any feedback both good and bad on this.

[Readee]

Has anyone had experience using a TENS machine, and are they worth hiring. I'm in regional NSW so will have to hire from away. Want to proglong my stay at home, and would appreciate any feedback both good and bad on this.

I used a TENS machine, and I don't think it helped a huge amount - it was mainly just something to help distract me during contractions. I didn't have any pain in my back during contractions though, which is what they are meant to be really good for.

I'd probably rent one anyway. That way at least you'll know and you won't be kicking yourself during labour wondering "would this have been any easier if I had gotten one?"

Good luck