Opioids
An overview of what opioids are and how they can be used to provide pain relief during labour.
- Opioids are strong pain-relieving medicines that can be given by mouth or by injection.
- Opioids are also used in pain-relieving medicines given through an epidural, or by spinal injection.
- A midwife usually gives opioids during labour by an injection.
- The pain should start to ease about half an hour after the injection, and can last a few hours.
- Some women say the opioid injection makes them feel more relaxed and less worried about the pain.
- They can make you feel sleepy and can make your baby sleepy, so there is a chance that your baby may need some extra support when they are born.
- They can make you feel sick, but you can be given anti-sickness medicine for this.
- High doses of opioids can slow down your breathing, this is very rare with the doses given in labour.
