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This page/column contains information which may be of interest to consumers. The information is based on articles which appear in Australian Prescriber. As Australian Prescriber is written for health professionals, you should discuss any issues raised by this page/column with your doctor or pharmacist. They will be able to give a more detailed answer to your questions by reading the main article.
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Australian Prescriber Vol. 27 No. 2 2004
Pethidine in labour
Pethidine is a strong painkiller which has been used for more than 60 years. Although it has often been given as an injection to reduce pain during childbirth, it usually does not work very well.
Pethidine can make women in labour feel sleepy or sick without significantly relieving pain of contractions. It also gets into the baby. When the baby is born it might breathe more slowly and take longer to breastfeed until the pethidine is cleared from its body.
Other methods of pain relief, such as an epidural, may work better in labour.
