Opioids (narcotics) for childbirth
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Opioids (narcotics) for childbirth
To help control labor pain and stress, an injection of pain medication can be given into a vein (intravenous) or into the muscle (intramuscular). The most common pain medications used are opioids. Opioids are also known as narcotics.
An opioid can help you relax between contractions and decrease the pain but does not take the pain away completely. Opioids make you drowsy for a short time and can slow your labor. But opioids are less likely than epidural anesthesia to cause you to have a forceps or vacuum delivery.1
The most common side effects of opioids include drowsiness, nausea, and vomiting.
Opioids given right before delivery can make the baby sleepy and can slow the baby's breathing for a short time after delivery. These side effects can be reversed with oxygen or medication.
References
Citations
Cunningham FG, et al. (2005). Forceps delivery and vacuum extraction. In Williams Obstetrics, 22nd ed., pp. 547–563. New York: McGraw-Hill.
Credits
| Author | Kathe Gallagher, MSW |
| Author | Lila Havens |
| Editor | Kathleen M. Ariss, MS |
| Associate Editor | Michele Cronen |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Joy Melnikow, MD, MPH - Family Medicine |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine |
| Specialist Medical Reviewer | Kirtly Jones, MD - Obstetrics and Gynecology |
| Last Updated | December 19, 2005 |
| Last updated: | December 19, 2005 |
|---|---|
| Author: | Lila Havens |
| Reviewed By: | Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine, Kirtly Jones, MD - Obstetrics and Gynecology |
| Editors: | Kathleen M. Ariss, MS, Michele Cronen |
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