Morphine & pregnancy

[Nick Nudell]

I agree. For this gestation it is not an issue. For term or near term
infants, it should also not be an issue. Pain control for the traumatized
mother should be the issue. If an otherwise healthy baby is born but the
respiratory drive is depressed, then a little Narcan will likely resolve
this along with several hours of monitoring and repeat dosing if necessary.

I have seen more complications related to emergent c-sections then opiate
dosing....

Just in case your wondering why I can speak to this... I provide neonate
resuscitation at our local hospital and teach NRP (Neonatal Resuscitation
Program by AAP and AHA) to the area physicians and nurses.

Have a good day.
Nick


____
Nick Nudell, NREMT-P, CCEMT-P
Education Coordinator
Glacier County EMS
www.glacierems.com
nudell@prehospital-perspective.com

"What we are communicates far more eloquently than anything we say, even
more than anything we do.." -- Steven Covey







----- Original Message -----
From: "Timothy Coats" <t.j.coats@qmul.ac.uk>
To: <trauma-list@trauma.org>
Sent: Thursday, October 03, 2002 12:36 PM
Subject: Re: Morphine & pregnancy


> At 28 weeks the baby will always be intubated and ventilated immediately
> after delivery.
> You should therefore not worry about the effect of morphine on the baby,
> as the respiratory depressant effect is totally irrelevant and will not
> affect treatment of the baby.
> (Looking forward to being in Nelspruit in two weeks time!!!)
> Tim.
>