Most pregnant women rely on some form  of method to relieve labor pain. Some people depend on narcotics. A narcotic is a drug that changes the way you feel pain. It  affects  the whole nervous system than just one area. Narcotics lowers pain and makes it easier for you to rest.
 

 

How do narcotics work ?

 
Narcotics can be injected  into the muscle like the buttocks or  thigh. It can also be  given through an intravenous IV catheter. If you get an IV, you may be able to control your dosage by pushing a button that releases a fixed amount of medicine through the IV into your body.

Narcotics work best during early labor when the cervix isn’t fully dialated yet. However you can get it any time during labor. They can also be used with other pain medication such as epidural and spinal block.

What are the pro and cons of using narcotics for labor pain ?

 
The pros of using narcotics for pain relief includes the following :

• pain relieve begins in minutes. It can last 2 to 6 hours depending on how you get the medicine
• you stay awake and alert
• it promotes rest without causing muscle weakening or lowering your ability to push

 
The cons of using narcotics for pain relief includes the following :

• cause sleepiness
• upset your stomach
• temporarily slow down breathing for both you and your baby
• nausea

 
Talk to your health care provider about pain relief during labor and  which one is right for you.
 
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