You will be given pain medication to help control the stress and pain of labor. The pain medication can be injected into the muscle or given through the vein. Opioids are the most common pain medications. Examples include fentanyl, morphine and nalbuphine.

How does opioids work for labor pain ?

These medications suppress how to perceive pain . They also calm your emotional response to pain. They reduce the number of pain signals sent by the nervous system to the brain. They also reduce the brain’s reaction to those pain signals.

They can also help you relax between contractions and decrease the pain. However it does not take all the pain away. Opioids may cause drowsiness and slow down your labor. However they are less likely than epidural anesthesia to cause you to have forceps or vacuum delivery.

What are the side effects of using opioids during labor ?

The most common side effects include the following :

• •  feeling dizzy, light headed or feeling like you want to faint
  •  feeing sick to the stomach or vomiting

This medication will not be used when you are close to delivery because they  can effect the newborns breathing. They can also make the baby sleepy and less interested in breastfeeding if given closer to delivery.