When should I have pethidine?
During the first stage of labour, when your cervix is opening up from being tightly closed to ten centimetres dilated; that is, before you start pushing. You can't have pethidine if your obstetrician thinks you're close to giving birth because it could sedate the baby.
Yah... i was like at 5cm after 2 hours...(was already 3cm when i admit.... after pethidine, i dilated from 5-10cm in 1.5hrs!!
What are the advantages of pethidine?
• Widely available, relatively inexpensive, simple to administer, perceived by mothers to be less invasive and less risk than epidurals.
• Can be administered by a midwife - no need for a doctor
What are its disadvantages?
• It may make you very sleepy - some women don't even know they've given birth!
not in my case...
• It can make you feel sick or vomit even if you have an anti-emetic
not in my case...
• It may make you feel dizzy
maybe..dunno is pethidine or laughing gas that made me high...
• You may be drowsy while contractions are building up, but wake up suddenly when the contractions reach their peak
yah..dunno is pethidine or laughing gas.. i was subconscious and lay motionless till the peak i'll squeeze my HB's hands whenever it peaks..
• It crosses the placenta and may sedate your baby and affect your baby's breathing. This largely depends on the dose and timing of the injection.
no idea...
• Your baby may need to have an antidote injection (narcan) as soon as she is born to reverse the effects of the pethidine in her system
no idea...
• She may be very sleepy for a few days and not interested in feeding
not true....i latched her few hours later and she latched....
• Breastfeeding is less likely to be successful if you have pethidine in labour
CONFIRMED NOT in my case...hahha......
Any useful tips?
• Always ask for a vaginal examination to see how far your cervix has dilated BEFORE having pethidine. If you are farther on than you thought, you might decide that you don't need it after all.
• If you know that medication has a powerful effect on you, ask for a small dose of pethidine. It can be given in 50mg, 100mg and 150mg doses. So 50mg may suit you best if you are small in stature, or if you are the kind of person who takes an aspirin and feels lightheaded!
• Remember that it takes about 20 minutes for the drug to start working. So use your breathing techniques to help you until the drug kicks in.
yes... i suffered like 20 super HIGH contractions before it took effect...
• After the birth, be patient with your baby (and yourself). It will take her four or five days to get all the pethidine out of her system. If you give her time, she will get the hang of breastfeeding! Ask for help from midwife or lactation consultant at your hospital.
not true leh....