Pain Relievers

Type When/How Given Advantages Possible Side Effects/Disadvantages

Narcotic:

Morphine
Fentanyl
Nubain
Stadol

 Early/active labor by IV or intramuscular injection. Fentanyl may also be given in spinal/epidural.

Not considered harmful to the mother/baby when given at the proper time and dosage.

Takes the "edge" off of the pain.

Makes some mothers sleepy.

May experience nausea (rare).

Mother may feel less in control.

Sometimes a temporary decrease in strength and frequency of contractions occurs.

Depending on when given, Morphine may cause respiratory depression in the baby. If this occurs, the antidote Narcan can be administered and the side effects are immediately reversed.

Morphine may cause the baby temporary difficulty with breastfeeding.