Question about Cytotec

summerne

I got a call from the Dr's office and they want to induce me tonight. They will give me Cytotec then 4 hours later give me pitocin. Anyone have experience with this?

Hoping to be joining you here soon!

duchessII81

I took it orally 24 hrs before starting Pit. It started mild contractions.

firsttogo

You should do some research on it. Women have been successful with it, but there are very real dangers with it. Our hospital and it's affiliated hospitals are no longer allowed to use it for induction of labor purposes.

Cervidil can be a safer alternative. Remember you get to make the decision about what you put in your body... I am not trying to be a hippy (had en epidural both times, and will again) or trying to scare you, but it is a serious drug that is not stopable once it is in your system. Cervidil can be removed if it is causing unwanted side effects. 

UrbanLe1

firsttogo:

You should do some research on it. Women have been successful with it, but there are very real dangers with it. Our hospital and it's affiliated hospitals are no longer allowed to use it for induction of labor purposes.

Cervidil can be a safer alternative. Remember you get to make the decision about what you put in your body... I am not trying to be a hippy (had en epidural both times, and will again) or trying to scare you, but it is a serious drug that is not stopable once it is in your system. Cervidil can be removed if it is causing unwanted side effects. 

While this is a good warning, it's not precisely true.  Cyotec has indeed gotten a bad reputation as "dangerous," mostly because of the supposed risk of ruptured uterus.  However, most of those risks are for women who've already had a c/s or multiple children or some type of uterine abnormality--in most women, it's perfectly safe.

Also, cervidil isn't an "alternative" to cyotec.  The medications work entirely differently, and are indicated for different uses.  That's kind of like saying advil is "safer" than tylenol, or vice versa--they're just different.  Assuming the doctor is using BOTH medications responsibly, cyotec might indeed be the medication indicated for this woman's use.  Obviously, ask the questions and make sure.  I know that cyotec is still used by the docs in my practice at a major academic research hospital.

summerne

Thank you Urbanleo.. I was getting alittle scared. I read the research and I am not in the high risk group. My Dr has been in practice for over 20 years and serves on the board of medicine. I really don't think she would put me in harm's way. I was more so wondering what would happen during the induction. I have already been warned that I have a 50% chance of a C section and we are hoping for the best.

I will ask why they are choosing this particular drug.

I just hope my body will repsond and we will have this baby without surgery!

justrachet

I had Cytotec orally every hour between 11 pm and 4 am. I was supposed to start Pitocin at 5 am, but my labor started at 2 am, so I didn't need it. At 11 pm, I was 1.5 cm and soft, by 5 am, I was 4 cm and 70%.

USCgirl

I started my induction with Cytotec. I did not take it orally, but it was placed next to my cervix. Over the course of 16 hours, I was given 4 treatments- it really did not do much for me. The Dr. ended up breaking my water. In the end, I did have a successful induction. 

Kim B.

My water broke with no contractions and I was only fingertip dilated. I went through two rounds of inserted cytotec and made no progress. I was given pitocin and that really got things going. My labor was long, but I had a very successful "augmentation" and delivered vaginally. GL!

firsttogo

The concern with cytotec is that it can not be "stopped"  once administered, like cervidil can. Cytotec is not intended for induction, not FDA approved for it, and therefore not something I personally would allow. There are plenty of "old school" OBs out there still using it, but that does not make it safer.