types of narcotics used during labor

[amandab1]

Hi ladies I'm a few months away from having my second baby girl. I had my first one natural because she came so fast. I want to have this one natural but just incase the pain is to much I want a back up plan. Most of my friends had an epidural that failed or c section.. any mommies on here used the narcotics they offer and if so what was it like. I was thinking of stadol or demerol.. thanks moms! :)

[Brittany9483]

I have used some threw IV. Demerol with my first. I was about 6 cm when I asked for it. It lasted until I reached 8 cm, about two hours later. I felt no contractions for about an hour then I could feel them but they weren't as bad as they were without the Demerol. Even though it only lasted for a short period of time it was enough to give me a break, i slept for a good hour, and just relaxed. My second I'm not sure what it was now, it's been 5 years, but it was something different and it had the same effect as Demerol, except it seemed to last about three hours. I again slept and then relaxed during the time it was going threw my system. I plan on doing the same with this baby in April, I think it was enough to give me a break and compared to my cousins who had epidurals, I pushed my baby's out faster. I have no idea if it was the fact that i knew when my contractions were coming or that maybe I had more sensation to know where I was directing my pushing or what but I pushed for an hour and half for my first and 30 minutes for my second. I know that my doctor told me that I could only get the narcotics once and after 8 cm I could no longer get anything. So I choose to get it around 5-6 cm so that I am far enough along and the contractions are not as bad as they are closer to the end. Plus, it's about the time I also need a break from all the pain to just relax and get some strength back to continue on.

[amandab1]

I didn't feel my contractions until after 4cm with my first. I'm wanting something that will help towards the end.

[mamajess_85]

With my first baby I had a medicine that ran through my IV.  Not sure what it was called.  It eased my contractions immediately at first, but then they slowly got stronger with each one.  By the time I started pushing the medicine had completely worn off.  Not sure what I'm doing for pain this time around.