Pain med effects on preemies?

LuckyMarley · February 2012

I'm just wondering if anyone can speak to labor pain medication effects on preemies. I had intended on trying for a med free birth, but "my plan" has been changed due to the PROM and much higher likelihood of induction. Ultimately my goal is for her to get here as safely and as timely as is best for HER not me. I'm just wondering what to expect, what options I will have if it comes to induction, and if due to the induction I feel like I need pain relief what options are best for her or what if any increased effects they would have due to her gestational age. Any thoughts at all would help, thank you all so much :-)

katie4253 · February 2012

Just a heads up, lots of moms on here either have med free births (because their babies come super fast) or c-sections. So, you might not get the advice you are looking for.

That said, you should talk to your doctor for sure. The bottom line is, you'll know if you need pain medication during delivery. An epidural offers good pain relief and doesn't go into your blood stream, thus not impacting the baby.

cottonlily84 · February 2012

Yeah I wish I could offer more advice but I had a c/s with a spinal right after I got to the hospital. She was very alert when she was born though and it didn't seem to have any effect on her. I wanted a natural birth too but I worried about induction possibilities (he thought I could try to go into labor on my own but then we realized she was a footling breech) and how that would worsen the pain. I can tell you this much. Pit hurts. I had 2 bags after the c/s and I was begging for pain meds. Of course I had been cut open but if there's anyway you can be induced without it - like a foley bulb - I would recommend that. Some drs do recommend epis for all their inductions because many lead to c/s and you'll already have the line in.

andreakirchoff · February 2012

I went into labor at 33 weeks and 5 days with my water breaking. Due to my high white blood cell count, they gave me pitocin to speed things along to get my little one here safely. I had requested an epidural, but due to it being the weekend and the only anesthesiologist being occupied, it didn't quite happen. They gave me a little bit of paid meds in the IV, but it really didn't do more than take the edge off. Long story short, the little guy went into distress and it was faster to give me an episotomey and use the forceps than to knock me completely out for a c/s. That said, my little guy was very awake and super peeved about the forceps, his lungs were good so he was screamming his little head off. Which because we had been so worried about lung development was a relief to me.

If they are going to induce you and give you pitcoin I would suggest getting something for the pain. It got so bad that I was heaving bile into that little dish they give you (I know, probably TMI), but for me I just had to suck it up. If you have the option an epidural might be nice. Also, if you do end up needing a c/s, the epidural would allow it to happen much faster because you will already be numb andd they will not have to put you to sleep. Just my two cents, but I would take pain meds if you can have them.

lemen99 · February 2012

My son was born at 26w2d and after being in tons of pain (laying upside down with back contractions) for 2 weeks, I absolutely wanted some relief from an epidural. They never hesitated or said it would harm the baby one way or another. Do what you want to do!

Want a personalized experience?

Pain med effects on preemies?

Re: Pain med effects on preemies?

Choose Another Board

Search Boards