Remifentanil

Less common than pethidine and diamorphine but in the same wheelhouse (it may not be on offer at your NHS Trust, so if you’re interested ask in advance). Sited in a vein in your arm, it’s much shorter acting than other options, working quickly and wearing off after just a few minutes - and you control the flow!

Pros:

• Fast acting & short-lived; can be used for each contraction, and if you don’t like it it wears off quickly

Cons:

• Can make you feel dizzy/woozy, itchy, and/or sick (but this, like the medicine, wears off quickly)

• If you decide you don’t like it actually, you’ve already had a cannula sited in your arm

• You’ll need a clip on your finger to monitor your oxygen levels, “as remifentanil can make you feel breathless or need oxygen” (NHS)

• “Remifentanil can affect the baby’s breathing but this usually wears off quickly” (NHS)