Briefly for those who weren't on Lactnet when I originally posted, the
question was re use of diamorphine (aka heroin) for pain relief in labour.
About 50% of Scottish mothers are given this. Midwives report babies who
have all the feeding difficulties one would expect with pethidine, but the
reason it is given is that it does not depress breathing in the baby.
Reportedly.
Mary Broadfoot, Paisley, Scotland
[log in to unmask]