Pain relief comparison:
What is it?
Opioid (pethidine or diamorphine injection)
Pethidine or diamorphine is injected into the muscle in your arm or leg.
Patient-controlled intravenous analgesia
A small dose of fentanyl or remifentanil given from a pump into a drip in your hand.
What do you do?
Opioid (pethidine or diamorphine injection)
Have an injection in your arm or leg.
Patient-controlled intravenous analgesia
Press the button to give yourself a dose every time you feel a contraction starting.
How much pain relief?
Opioid (pethidine or diamorphine injection)
Often mild. May reduce anxiety.
Patient-controlled intravenous analgesia
The amount of pain relief varies. Women often need to use Entonox (gas and air) as well.
Time to start working?
Opioid (pethidine or diamorphine injection)
Five minutes to prepare the injection, then 30 minutes before it starts to work. The effects last a few hours.
Patient-controlled intravenous analgesia
10 to 15 minutes to set up then works in a few minutes.
Any extra procedures?
Opioid (pethidine or diamorphine injection)
None.
Patient-controlled intravenous analgesia
- You will be on a drip.
- You may be connected to a monitor to check your baby’s heartbeat.
- Checks on your oxygen levels.
- You may need extra oxygen.
Risks to baby?
Opioid (pethidine or diamorphine injection)
- May be slow to breathe.
- May be drowsy and find it difficult to feed at first.
Patient-controlled intravenous analgesia
May be slow to breathe at first.
Side effects for mother?
Opioid (pethidine or diamorphine injection)
- Feeling sleepy or sick.
- Delay the rate at which food is digested so you get a full stomach.
- May slow your breathing.
Patient-controlled intravenous analgesia
- Feeling sleepy or sick.
- Slow breathing - you will have to stop using it if it makes you too sleepy.
- Stopping breathing or slowing your heart rate (rare).
Effect on labour and delivery?
Opioid (pethidine or diamorphine injection)
None.
Patient-controlled intravenous analgesia
None.
