Fentanyl for Labor?

[Anonymous]

This poor woman died after her OB gave her fentanyl for labor pains.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/fox13now.com/2020/01/15/pregnant-mother-dies-after-being-given-pain-medication-at-california-hospital/amp/

I have never heard of this before? The only option I was given was an epidural. Do doctors really prescribe this for labor or was this doctor way out of line? Sounds like he had a lot of other issues (false insurance claims, sexual misconduct, etc).

[Anonymous]

I didn't read the article but would note women occasionally die from epidurals too. Sometimes there is a weird reaction or sometimes an epidural is placed too high and stops the woman's breathing. That doesn't mean women shouldn't receive epidurals, just that there are risks with all decisions.

Regarding Fentanyl, my MW gave me some. Baby #3 had a weird position so I was in protracted early labor, stuck at 3cm with a broken amniotic sack and just generally hating life. I didn't really need it and I regret having it. It was supposed to help me relax but they gave it to me when they hooked up the Pitocin so at the point it was wearing off, the contractions became super intense. Baby was born an hour later. They are supposed to avoid giving it close to the actual birth because it effects the baby but no one expected me to spend 13 hrs at 3cm and then give birth an hour later.

[Anonymous]

I read the article. It says right there that fentanyl is often administered for labor pains. I've heard women say they were offered it.

[Anonymous]

Fentanyl is frequently included in the drug mix for epidurals.

Some of what the family is saying seems questionable, such as this:

“Her mother asked what she was giving her and she (the nurse) said, ‘I gave her 100 milliliters of fentanyl ,’ ” said Mariah Borgna, a family member of De La Rosa. Borgna said that’s how the family found out the dosage and the name of the pain medication that was administered.

100 milliliters is an insane about, no one would ever give anyone remotely that amount. A 2 milliliter (liquid) dose would typical contain only 50-100 MICROgrams of actual fentanyl.

The whole story seems screwy. She's being given pain meds for labor pains, but she's about to be discharged? Huh? Then transferred back to a room after an emergency C to save the baby, covered in blood? I understand this family is grieving an din shock, but nothing about the story makes any sense.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Fentanyl is frequently included in the drug mix for epidurals.

Some of what the family is saying seems questionable, such as this:

“Her mother asked what she was giving her and she (the nurse) said, ‘I gave her 100 milliliters of fentanyl ,’ ” said Mariah Borgna, a family member of De La Rosa. Borgna said that’s how the family found out the dosage and the name of the pain medication that was administered.

100 milliliters is an insane about, no one would ever give anyone remotely that amount. A 2 milliliter (liquid) dose would typical contain only 50-100 MICROgrams of actual fentanyl.

The whole story seems screwy. She's being given pain meds for labor pains, but she's about to be discharged? Huh? Then transferred back to a room after an emergency C to save the baby, covered in blood? I understand this family is grieving an din shock, but nothing about the story makes any sense.

Since the baby lived, I'm going to guess it wasn't 100ml. Unfortunately with the trauma of watching their loved one die and not being medical professionals themselves, they are probably misremembering details.

[Anonymous]

I had fentanyl. It didn’t do much to relieve the pain. Just made me more tired.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I read the article. It says right there that fentanyl is often administered for labor pains. I've heard women say they were offered it.

Right, the article says it. But of the many mom friends I’ve had that I’ve discussed labor (natural, epidural, c-section), I’ve never heard anyone mention being given an opioid shot, so I was wondering if it really is that common.

Interesting that another poster mentioned there is fentanyl in an epidural. I did not know that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I read the article. It says right there that fentanyl is often administered for labor pains. I've heard women say they were offered it.

Right, the article says it. But of the many mom friends I’ve had that I’ve discussed labor (natural, epidural, c-section), I’ve never heard anyone mention being given an opioid shot, so I was wondering if it really is that common.

Interesting that another poster mentioned there is fentanyl in an epidural. I did not know that.

I was given something, not fentanyl but like norfran (or it sounded kind of like that?), and it helped me sleep through the crazy contractions the foley bulb gave me (that did almost no good in terms of forward progress). I'm pretty sure it was an opioid or narcotic - it was definitely something that when they explained what it was I asked if it was safe because it sounded dangerous or illicit to me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I read the article. It says right there that fentanyl is often administered for labor pains. I've heard women say they were offered it.

Right, the article says it. But of the many mom friends I’ve had that I’ve discussed labor (natural, epidural, c-section), I’ve never heard anyone mention being given an opioid shot, so I was wondering if it really is that common.

Interesting that another poster mentioned there is fentanyl in an epidural. I did not know that.

It's not commonly used as an injection or with an IV because it's not supposed to be given close to when the baby is born which is typically when women need more pain relief. But if it's earlier on in labor, the woman needs something, and she isn't a candidate for an epidural (or the anesthesiologist isn't available or whatever), then they will sometimes give fentanyl or similar opioid to take the edge off.

[Anonymous]

I got Fentanyl after an exhausting night of labor; it was amazing! I instantly felt calm and okay. Unfortunately, the nurse administered before she did a cervical check and found out I was 10 cm dilated. My OB was mad about it. They to bring in a team of “drug” nurses (?) that specifically treat babies in these circumstances. But my DS started crying as soon as came out and the nurses laughed and said “okay guess we’re not needed here” and left without looking at him. I have no idea why or what happened. Baby was fine, though.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I got Fentanyl after an exhausting night of labor; it was amazing! I instantly felt calm and okay. Unfortunately, the nurse administered before she did a cervical check and found out I was 10 cm dilated. My OB was mad about it. They to bring in a team of “drug” nurses (?) that specifically treat babies in these circumstances. But my DS started crying as soon as came out and the nurses laughed and said “okay guess we’re not needed here” and left without looking at him. I have no idea why or what happened. Baby was fine, though.

And you never thought to ask?!

[Anonymous]

Had fentanyl during epidural in May. The first drug they gave me didn't work to ease the pain so they gave me fentanyl. I wasn't asked, nor did I know until my husband pointed it out. I had a good nap and baby and I are fine. Let's not overreact.

[Anonymous]

I had an opioid shot in labour in the UK. I got it in early labour and it was amazing. I fell asleep immediately after getting it and woke up like 3 hours later totally rested and ready to push.

[Anonymous]

I’m pretty sure my epidural had fentanyl in it. I remember reading the bag thinking oh wow I didn’t know that was what an epidural was!

[Anonymous]

Fentanyl is a common ingredient in epidurals.