Need a bit of advice

courtfsu

Hello ladies, I have been lurking from the June/3rd Tri boards and have a question.  With my DS I had a "natural" child birth in the hospital.  I am hoping to do the same this time.  I had a very fast delievery with my son, so I really didn't have the option to get an epidural, but by the time I was asking for it I was already complete. 

My question is:  My doctor insists on his patients having an IV and he put me on pitocin when I was already 10 cm dialated without letting me decide.  I didn't think it was such a big deal at the time because then I was not dead set against drugs.  Now that I know I can do it, I want to again.  The reason for this was to help my uterus shrink more quickly. 

What do you ladies think:  Should I insist on no pitocin this time?  Are their any side effects that you are aware of for having pitocin during pushing/ or after the birth?

TIA!

 

LaurelBee

I wouldn't be dead set agaist pit after delivery if I was bleeding too much or having trouble delivering the placenta. But I wouldn't want them to administer it "just in case" before they even know the situation! I feel like some medical professionals administer meds 1st and ask questions later. I would definitely include that in your birth plan if you're looking to avoid unecessary meds. GL!

caralck

I'll be getting pitocin but after the baby is out (assuming my all natural plan has occurred).  I've never heard of being given pit at 10 cm unless for some reason the contractions weren't strong enough to help a mom get the baby out, and even then, it's usually just a whiff (2-4 mU), not the 20-30 unit bolus they give after baby is out.  Sounds like that wasn't the case for you.  Some midwives I know actually wait until after the placenta is out to give the pit.   

couliegirl

I'd politely decline the IV so that they couldn't give you anything with out your consent.

courtfsu

Thanks ladies.  Unfortunately, I don't have a choice with the IV unless I go to a different hospitial.  I didn't have any trouble delivering DS (he was out in 3 pushes) but the placenta was a little stubborn.  The thing I was frusterated with was that they made the decision while I was in the throws of labor.  I would probably have agreed to a lobotomy at that point, even though I wasn't asked.

My big worry was that maybe the administration of pitocin had some sort of side effect with my milk/bfing issues???? I know a lot of women have pit and don't experience that, so who knows.

august8080

Pitocin does interfere with the natural endorphins that your body produces to block pain and create that mushy, insanely in love with your baby feeling.

If it's needed to help slow post-partum bleeding, I wouldn't hesitate to accept it, but I wouldn't want it during labor unless ABSOLUTELY necessary. 

Can you negotiate a hep-lock so that the needle is in place for an IV, but not an actual IV? 

I never like to hear of a situation where medicine is given without informed consent....sorry about that