Drugs Used During Childbirth

Drugs Used During Childbirth

Childbirth is a special time in the life of a woman in which her body does a special task in order to bring life into the world.

Childbirth is painful and although many women prefer natural (drug-free) birth, there are others who prefer to use drugs to ease pain during childbirth.

There are several commonly used drugs during childbirth.

One commonly used drug during labor is Demerol. Demerol is a narcotic drug similar to morphine.

In the UK, it is known as meperidine. Many midwives in the UK give smaller doses, usually 25 mg., as compared to the usual 150 mg., given in the U.S.

The concern with Demerol is that it crosses the placenta and the baby, who is generally more sensitive to drugs, will be more affected if the higher dose is used. Generally, if Demerol is administered two to three hours before birth it can have a depressant effect on the baby's respiratory system.

The immature liver of the baby will mean that the Demerol will be in the baby's system for 18 to 23 hours before it is excreted. It may take up to two to three days for 95% of the drug to be excreted from the baby's system which can have a detrimental effect on breastfeeding.

Demerol can also have an impact on the baby's ability to quiet itself once it is wakened.

In the mother, Demerol can cause a loss of control, dizziness, and also drowsiness.

Epidural anesthesia is a popular choice for pain relief by many women during birth. An epidural can be used to partially or fully numb the lower body.

Partial numbing allows the woman to feel enough to push with the contractions and blocking all feeling in the lower body blocks all feeling such as when a cesarean delivery is performed.

A low dose (light epi) can be given which will allow the woman to walk around and yet feel comfortable.

The administration of the epidural is given by using a thin tube (epidural catheter) placed into the area around the spinal cord, within its outer membrane called the epidural space.

The epidural medicine is given through the membrane and directly into the spinal nerves. The spinal nerves control all feeling in the lower body. An epidural allows the woman to remain awake, yet comfortable.

The benefit to the baby is that epidural pain medication does not go directly into the mom's bloodstream, so the baby is unlikely to be affected by the drug.

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The benefit to the mom is that the relief is quick once the epidural line is installed. Pain medication can be adjusted anytime during the labor or delivery.

Epidural medication is not likely to depress the central nervous system, which means both mom and baby are alert after the delivery.

The risks of using an epidural are that it may mean that you won't be able to leave your bed and walk once it is administered.

It may also increase your labor by as much as an hour; you may also experience a drop in blood pressure, which will then also lower the baby's heart rate. You may not be able to feel the contractions and therefore be unable to push when you need to.

Slack pelvic muscles and a slack uterus may cause your baby to move into a malposition (wrong position for delivery). The mom may experience back soreness at the site of the catheter (uncommon).

It is possible for the woman to experience a prolonged headache after delivery. Lying flat on your back usually relieves the spinal headache.

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Besides the epidural and spinal blocks, other drugs used during labor and delivery comes in the form of local anesthetics, analgesics and narcotics, a pudendal block and tranquilizers.

Analgesics and narcotics are usually injected into a muscle or given through an intravenous catheter (IV).

These usually work for two to four hours and allow the woman to rest with muscle weakness. They may however depress breathing for the woman and the baby.

Local anesthetic can be used to numb the vaginal area if an incision is needed to open the vagina (episiotomies) to prevent tearing during delivery. Local anesthetics are used to relieve pain temporarily.

They do not stop the pain of contractions. It is possible to have an allergic reaction to a local anesthetic.

A pudendal block is used to block pain between the vagina and the anus. This medication is injected into the vaginal wall and brings relief in seconds. The pain relief last for about an hour at most.

The negative is that it may only work on one side of the body and may not decrease the pain of contractions and also it could decrease the urge to push.

Tranquilizers are only used in early labor to relieve anxiety and to help the woman rest. They are given orally, injected into a muscle or given intravenously (IV). They usually work for several hours.

They could cause drowsiness and decrease your memory of your labor, and also decrease the baby's muscle tone and activity during birth, which would be detrimental for the process of birth.