Pitocin

rubber_chicken

So we're taking this childbirth education class through my hospital, which is known for being low intervention and has a csection rate less than half the national average.

The class last night was focused on pain management and interventions, and one of the things the nurse discussed was pitocin.  A few of the moms in the class were nervous about pitocin because they had heard horror stories from their friends, and the nurse told us this:

Some women have bad experiences with pitocin because some hospitals have a policy of starting out with the highest possible dose, and then dialing it back down.  (the nurse had worked at a hospital that did this)  This can cause continuous contractions you don't get a break from, which means crazy labor pain.  And it increases the likelihood you'll need an epidural and/or a csection.

Instead, what they do at my hospital is start with the lowest possible dose, see if its working, and then dial it up from there.   Seems reasonable and like it should be a no brainer to do it this way, but I guess it's not. 

So if your labor isn't progressing and they suggest pitocin, make sure you request they start with the lowest possible dose (2 ML/HR) and go up from there, especially if you'd rather avoid pain meds.  

 

cbottali

rubber_chicken:

So we're taking this childbirth education class through my hospital, which is known for being low intervention and has a csection rate less than half the national average.

The class last night was focused on pain management and interventions, and one of the things the nurse discussed was pitocin.  A few of the moms in the class were nervous about pitocin because they had heard horror stories from their friends, and the nurse told us this:

Some women have bad experiences with pitocin because some hospitals have a policy of starting out with the highest possible dose, and then dialing it back down.  (the nurse had worked at a hospital that did this)  This can cause continuous contractions you don't get a break from, which means crazy labor pain.  And it increases the likelihood you'll need an epidural and/or a csection.

Instead, what they do at my hospital is start with the lowest possible dose, see if its working, and then dial it up from there.   Seems reasonable and like it should be a no brainer to do it this way, but I guess it's not. 

So if your labor isn't progressing and they suggest pitocin, make sure you request they start with the lowest possible dose (2 ML/HR) and go up from there, especially if you'd rather avoid pain meds.  

 

Thanks for the info. I know I've heard a lot of horror stories about pitocin!

cookies+milk

I was induced and my Pitocin was started on the lowest possible level and increased gradually. I had about 5.5 hours of contractions so small I couldn't feel them (was eating, watching tv, talking, walking etc). Labor takes much longer this way but I think it's the way to go. In terms of pain, though, I will say that eventually I chose to get an epi when I had been having crazy painful contractions every minute, lasting 45 seconds, for hours, and was only 3 cm. for me, there was no chance I could avoid pain meds and dilate all the way to 10cm. Good info though.

bellelamb

My water broke at home and since the contractions were not progressing like my mw wanted after 8 hours she started me on the lowest does of pitocin possible. I could tell right away a difference in the contractions they were far more painful and that was my second baby so I had had much stronger and longer contractions with my first but there was something different with the pit. It was more like a pinching than the waves of pain with natural contractions. I don't mean to negate what your saying or scare anyone just to put my experience out there. I am really really hoping to not need it this time!

mrsjengle

When they started Pit on me, it was started at the lowest dose and bumped every 15 mins.

I'd be pissed if a nurse came in and just turned it on "high." But I'm a micro-manager when it comes to healthcare, so I always knew what was going on with my care.