Many caregivers will suggest an 'antiemetic' medication, to help the woman deal with her labour, and to prevent dehydration. Anti-emetics are aimed at preventing nausea and vomiting. They are usually given as an injection, but may be given as a suppository placed inside the woman's anus. (Tablets are not much help, if it is likely you will vomit them back up.)
Sometimes antiemetics are mixed with
narcotic injections for pain relief (such as 'Pethidine'). This is in case the narcotic makes the woman feel nauseated and vomit. Some women will choose to wait and see if this is the case (about 20 minutes to half an hour or so after the injection of narcotics), however this would entail 2 injections, if you decide to have the antiemetic.
The types of antiemetics used will vary, and have different effects and side effects. The most common ones used in Australia are:
| Drug |
Should not be used on |
Side effects |
Interactions with other drugs |
Effects on the baby |
| Maxalon (Metoclopramide hydrochloride) |
Women with liver disorders |
Can increase the release of Prolactin hormone, increasing milk production |
Increases the absorption of paracetamol and aspirin |
Unknown |
| Stemetil (Prochlorperazine) |
Women with epilepsy and women taking high blood pressure medications |
Can cause prolonged labour and drowsiness, should not be used until the cervix is dilated past 3-4 cms (active phase of labour), can cause a low temperature, make the woman look pale, can cause tremors. |
Increases the sedative affect of narcotic drugs, can worsen low blood pressure effects of anaesthetics. |
The baby may have a tremor or be lethargic at birth and has an increased risk of a lower Apgar score at birth. |
| Phenergan (promethazine) |
Caution for women with high blood pressure and epilepsy |
Possible prolonged drowsiness, even for a while after the baby is born, can cause blurred vision in the woman. |
Increases the sedative affect of narcotic drugs |
Baby may be drowsy and reluctant to feed. |
| Sparine (promazine hydrochloride) |
Women with epilepsy and on high blood pressure medication |
Can cause drowsiness, amnesia, and tremors, can make the woman look pale. |
Increases the sedative affect of narcotic drugs, increases the low blood pressure affect of anaesthetics. |
The baby may have a tremor, or be lethargic at birth, and at an increased risk of a lower Apgar score. |