Some input from Australia
As in US, heroin is an illegal substance and isn't used at all as an analgesic.
The usual obstetric analgesics that I'm aware of (I'm not an ob), are pethidine
a type of intramuscular narcotic, epidurals, nitrous oxide by inhalation. There is
a lower rate of intervention and epidural usage than in some other countries, and it
is not unusual for mothers to have unmedicated labours with no intervention !!!
Early discharge is becoming the norm in public (government) hospitals, usually out
on day 2. Private hospitals have a stay as long as you like policy (after all, the
patient and their insurer is paying ;\ ). They usually stay 5 days or so.

Fiona Coombes
Perth Western Australia