Pit. for 3rd stage of labor

KaylaC0514

My midwife suggested this to me yesterday.  I was hesitant because I haven't heard about it until now.  I guess they give shots of pitocin in your leg to help you deliver the placenta easier.  I asked if it would affect breastfeeding and she said no. But I swear I have read or heard that pitocin can cause your milk to come in later. She said there have been a lot of really good research done on this topic and it is definitely recommended but that I have the right to say No.  I told her I would think about it.

What do you know about this?

tokenhoser

I took the shot. More than helping deliver the placenta easier, it's been shown to drastically decrease your odds of a postpartum hemorrhage. I saw no evidence that it has any real risk or harm. It can't affect the baby (as baby is already born), and it had no impact on my very successful breastfeeding.

There is a large difference in dosage between 1 shot and a continuous drip IV that you have for many hours.

AshNish

I decided to get the shot of pit during the 3rd stage of labor. My understanding is that it is used to help the uterus contract to help deliver the placenta and to reduce the risk of hemorrhage.  I figured that since the baby was already born and the benefits of receiving the pic outweighed the risks I thought it was a good idea. During my first birth I had a borderline hemorrhage after the first shot of pit anyway and then they had to run a low dose of pit in my IV the first 12 hours or so so with that in mind I am very happy to have had the shot. My midwife had said that the shot is preventative because in her experience it is easier to try to prevent a hemorrhage than it is to treat it after it has started. Otherwise, I had an entirely med-free birth.  My milk came in on day 2 and had no problems breastfeeding - I breastfed for 15 months.    

AmyRI

I haven't found anything recommending against it, while I have seen a lot of info about the benefits of it. It helps deliver the placenta, helps shrink your uterus faster, and helps reduce the risk of hemorrage. It didn't impact the baby at all and my milk came in just fine. I don't see how pitocin would change that, but if you do find that info someplace please post about it.

I delivered DS in a hospital (had a hep-lock during labor/delivery) and was given a small IV of pit after delivering DS, but it was very short and I'm guessing the same as the shot in the leg.

superned

AmyRI:

I haven't found anything recommending against it, while I have seen a lot of info about the benefits of it. It helps deliver the placenta, helps shrink your uterus faster, and helps reduce the risk of hemorrage. It didn't impact the baby at all and my milk came in just fine. I don't see how pitocin would change that, but if you do find that info someplace please post about it.

I delivered DS in a hospital (had a hep-lock during labor/delivery) and was given a small IV of pit after delivering DS, but it was very short and I'm guessing the same as the shot in the leg.

Ditto.

ILoveRunning

I can't speak from experience since I ended up with a c-section, but I have read that retained placenta and/or postpartum hemorrhage can affect milk supply.  I haven't heard of pitocin impacting initial milk production timing, but I would suggest talking to your midwife and/or a LC if you have questions.

Blackrose1918

It's considered standard procedure and is recommended. I've never heard that about pit (as far as milk goes). If you remember where you saw it, please let me know.

StefandTodd

I requested they hold off on it unless/until it seemed clear to them that it was necessary, and it wasn't.  I just didn't want to introduce any unnecessary hormones into my already hormone-ravaged body, but I wasn't so concerned about it that I would've fought them for a second had they suggested they believed it was necessary.

It is standard procedure in the hospital I delivered at (and I would imagine most, if not all hospitals in the Country?), but the MW that delivered my son just said "okay" when my H reminded her of my request, and then noted that they would have a shot of it nearby to give in my thigh if it appeared I needed it.

BakerMommy

It's a WHO recommendation.  

sschwege

It wasn't standard at our hospital and was not offered to me last time.  Not sure if that has changed, but based on what everyone is saying on here, I think I would consider it if my hospital has changed their policy.  

erb82

I got the pitocin with my first but not with my second, and had the same doctor for both deliveries.  I think for some doctors/hospitals it's standard procedure and others go on a case by case basis.  I didn't notice any difference in my delivery of the placenta or my post-partum recovery.

SWBs Wifey

I never realized slow delivery of the placenta was such a common issue.  With DS1, I was already on pit... I was holding my baby so I have no idea how long it took to deliver placenta.  With DS2, it was out within 5 minutes... maybe under 2... 

KateLouise

With DD1 I had it within minutes of delivering her. I don't know if it was my MWs standard practice or if she saw something to concern her in terms of bleeding. We never discussed it before hand, and I forgot to ask afterwards.

With DD2 we had an unassisted homebirth. When the midwives arrived they helped me into the shower and had me deliver the placenta (prob around 30mins after LO was born).

Then I got dressed. We were going to go to the birth centre, and just before we left I gushed a lot of blood. Having already lost a good amount during delivery. My MW gave me a shot at that point.

I didn't have any issues with milk, but as it helps reduce/prevent heammorhaging, I'm all for it. 

choppinbroccoli22

Interesting.... I had NO trouble delivering the placenta. It just slid out with an easy push when it was time. I didn't realize it was ever a "thing" to need help delivering it.

I have heard of prophylactic pitocin AFTER delivering the placenta to avoid hemorrhaging. That's in my birth plan, as a "no".

ETA: I should probably add, I had been on pitocin all day long, so..... maybe that's what made it so easy for me?? I don't know!

InfinityDreamer

I was given an injection of pitocin with my last labor, but it was given after I had delivered the placenta.  I had breastfed for about 30 minutes, was given an herbal tincture and had a quite uncomfortable uterine massage and was still bleeding quite a lot more than anyone was comfortable with.  I wouldn't personally accept it for any reason other than why I was given it.  

I am generally opposed to all medical interventions but I also figured that hemorrhaging to death would reflect poorly upon the home birth community and I don't exactly have a death wish either

Charliebear84

My midwives explained what they call "managed third stage" to me during my labour and I consented to having the shot. I don't remember having it or delivering the placenta but I was pretty wrapped up in my baby:) Having the shot did not impact on breast feeding for me and I understand it is standard procedure for hospital births over here (australia) but they did explain and ask me.

celiabwatson

My first birth was in a hospital with our midwife. I didn't get a shot and delivered the placenta what seemed like a decent amount of time after the baby was born. They never even mentioned pit.

With my second I was at the birth center and had a water birth. I think with a water birth it's harder for them to assess blood loss so that might have been a factor. It wasn't long after the birth before the midwife was wanting me to deliver the placenta and it wasn't coming out. She was concerned about blood loss and I got the shot. She said she'd give me one more push to get the placenta out before she wanted to move me to the bed (I assume to be able to better assess blood loss). I did push the placenta out in that next push.

I had a lot more painful contracting and clots after that birth. I'm not sure if it was the pit, 2nd birth or just circumstances of that birth/pregnancy, but there was a noticeable difference in my recovery in the first few hours as compared to my first birth. I can't respond about the milk coming in issue though because I was still nursing my son so my milk was "in" already. 

Kiedis

My midwife discussed with me beforehand, and I consented. My main concern with a natural birth was for baby, and as this was after delivery I figured it was a good idea. The last thing I wanted was for problems after the delivery that may take me away from bonding time with baby.

I ended up with an unplanned home birth, and the midwives had it in their kit, so I still received it.

Also, I had no issues with breastfeeding. 

iris427

Routine Pit in third stage is evidence-based.  It reduces rates of postpartum hemorrhage and it can't affect your baby or your delivery because you have already given birth.  I don't see anything wrong with turning it down, but it is safe and effective.  If I had to pick my battles, I wouldn't pick this one.  Save the "no" for something that might matter more.