Remifentanil in Labour
An anaesthetist will need to set up the Remifentanil infusion for you.
What is Remifentanil?
Remifentanil is a strong opiate analgesia which has very short lasting effect and makes it an ideal drug to use with a pump or PCA. (Patient Controlled Analgesia)
How do I use Remifentanil?
- A drip and the PCA is set up by an anaesthetist who will give you a button to hold. When you feel a contraction coming on you press the button.
- When you press the button, the drug is administered through the drip into a vein, making it very quick to take effect.
- It can make you sleepy, but the contraction pains start to fade away.
- By the time your contraction has gone you wouldn't know that you had one!
- It is very easy to use, however you would need close monitoring of Blood pressure and saturation's. The reason for this is the drug can suppress your breathing or slow it down and therefore needs to be monitored.
- The pump itself has inbuilt safety features so that you could never overdose yourself.
Advantages of Remifentanil PCA
- A very effective pain relief in labour without the need of an epidural
- Controlled by you
- Easy to use
- Quick to set up by an anaesthetist
- Can use Entonox with this
- Side effects are short lasting
- Can stop using whenever you need to ie. for Pushing.
- Has no direct effects on the baby.
Disadvantages of Remifentanil PCA
- Makes you drowsy
- Need to time it right to press the button just as the contraction is building up.
- Unable to mobilise in labour, restricted to the bed.
- Mum Continuously monitored and sometimes need oxygen.
- Women find it hard to have the energy to push when fully dilated as they are too drowsy.
- Higher risk of having an instrumental delivery (forceps or Ventouse)
- Side effects are short lasting but women experience itching, nausea, drowsiness, and slower breathing.
Other Labour Related Articles
- Phases of Labour Explained - Latent and first stage of Labour.
What are the stages of labour and how do you know when you are in Labour? How can you cope with the early stages of labour - read this article and find out! - Second and Third stages of labour explained
What ids the second stage of labour? What does it feel like? How is the placenta delivered and when? Read this useful article and find out. - Pethidine in Labour
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There are some women who are definite over what kind of birthing experience they would like but there are others who would like to keep an open mind about their labour. I would suggest even before you start a birth plan you need to get as much inform
Comments
Patients must be informed about the pros and cons of whatever drug is introduced in them. Medical advances have made sure there are more options for patients. Likewise, patients must know these alternatives and choose what is best for them. Of course with the help of their doctor.
- Author
Absolutely agree - patients should be given all the information they need so that they can make an informed choice .