Diamorphine is a strong, effective painkiller, known as an Opioid. You can have diamorphine wherever you’re giving birth, but if you are in the pool you will need to come out as it can make you sleepy.
Diamorphine
How it works
Diamorphine is given as an injection into a big muscle, such as your buttock or thigh, and:
- takes about 15-20 minutes to work
- lasts for between 2 and 4 hours
Pros
- Diamorphine works quickly and last for a few hours.
Cons
- can make you feel sleepy and not in control
- can make you feel sick, so an anti-sickness medicine is usually given at the same time
- can affect your baby’s breathing when they’re born
- can make your baby sleepier and less interested in feeding for the first 24 hours
Baby's breathing
Diamorphine can affect your baby’s breathing when they’re born, particularly if you have it too close to the birth. If you’re about to give birth your midwife or doctor might suggest you don’t have it for this reason.
Sleeping and feeding
Diamorphine can make your baby sleepier and less interested in feeding for the first 24 hours. You may need to wake them to feed. You will be supported during this time by your midwife.
