Fentanyl for Labor Pain?

[layna]

Hello Everyone,

We don't routinely give IV Fentanyl here for labor pain. A physician recently wanted one of our staff members to give this to her patient. The staff is not comfortable giving this to labor patients. Does your facility use Fentanyl IV for labor pain? If so, is there a protocol that involves placing the patient on a cardiac and SaO2 monitor? I would appreciate any input.

Thank-you!

[lovewhatIdo]

Greetings All

At my facility, we use fentanyl 50-100 mcg q1h and have been doing so for the last 5 years. No cardiac monitor. Never have seen any real adverse reaction with it. Of course on the EFM we see the effects for a brief time on some babies (decrease LTV). I have noted as the above writer stated that some women seem to have less effect of the medication with subsiquent (sp?) dosages. But on the whole, fentayl works very well.