Pain Relief in Labour Flashcards
What is a form drug free pain relief in labour?
Entonox
What is entonox?
Gas and air
How does entonox work?
Start taking deep breaths as soon as the contractions start
How long does entonox take to work?
30 seconds
What are the advantages of entonox?
Under the patients control
Quick acting
Helps the patient cope better
What are the disadvantages of entonox?
Patient may feel dizzy, sick and dry mouthed
It doesn’t take away all the pain
What is Diamorphine?
Strong, pain relieving medication
How do you administer diamorphine?
Injection at the top of the leg
What are the advantages of diamorphine?
Works in 30 minutes and can last up to 4 hours
What are the disadvantages of diamorphine?
Make the patient feel sick
Can make you feel sleepy and slow down your breathing
What effect can diamorphine have on the baby?
It can cause the baby’s breathing to slow down also
What is a PCA pump?
Patient Controlled Analgesia Pump
What does a PCA pump contain?
Remifentanil
What is remifentanil?
Strong morphine like pain medication
What are the advantages of remifentanil?
Patient in control of pain
Works quickly and wears off quickly so can time it with contractions
Strong effect on relieving pain
What are the disadvantages of remifentanil?
Can slow down breathing
may feel sick, drowsy and itchy
Can’t walk around when you start using pump
When can you not have remifentanil?
If you have had diamorphine in the last 4 hours
What might you need if you’re on remifentanil?
Oxygen and monitoring
What is an epidural?
Local anaesthetic given through a small tube in the back?
How long does an epidural take to work?
20 minutes
What are the advantages of an epidural?
Rarely affects the baby
Patient has control over their pain relief
What are the disadvantages of an epidural?
Can slow the pushing phase of delivery
Possible drop in blood pressure
Itching or fever
Headache after epidural
What are some serious but rare complications of an epidural?
Temporary nerve damage- numb patch on leg or leg weakness Nerve damage lasting more than 6 months Epidural abscess Meningitis Epidural haematoma Accidental unconsciousness
