Injections

Intramuscular injections of pain-reliving drugs such as pethidine are also great forms of  pain relief. The effect can be felt after about 20 minutes  and it can work between two and four hours. An injection on pethidine will help you to relax, and many women find that is lessens the pain of childbirth.

Caution must be taken though however, it can make some women feel very light headed, sick and forgetful. The injections should be timed so that it has worn off by the time you need to push, otherwise pushing can be difficult. It is reccommended that you ask for half a dose initially to see how it works for you.

If pethidine is administered too close to the time of delivery, it can affect the breathing of the baby. If it does an antidote can be given.

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