XP: Pitcoin = C-section? (Posted in Aug 12 too!)
bigbootyjudi
member
[I'm cross posting as a recommendation from a fellow August bumpie to see more poll results/opinions. ]
If I go to my 39w appointment on Monday (therefore, have not had this baby by then!), my doctor is going to schedule an induction for Tuesday or Wednesday. I'm okay with this, for many different reasons: I'll be almost 40 weeks by the time I'm induced, I absolutely have to go back to work by October 10 to hold my position (so if I end up having to have a c-section after August 10 - my due date - I will lose my position because it's mandatory for me to be off for 8 weeks afterwards), my LO is measuring ahead (I know this is always a guesstimate), and I'm ready to be done.
The thing I'm most nervous about is getting a c-section. I am/was planning a med-free child birth, which I know obviously isn't going to happen with Pitocin, but wasn't setting myself up to be completely devastated if I felt like my body couldn't handle it and had to get an epidural. The only thing that I would be devastated to have is a c-section, for multiple reasons (proven to be harder to breastfeed babies, the experience is different, recooperation is more difficult, etc.). I know it sounds ridiculous, but I feel like I would be heartbroken if I couldn't hold him right after he came out. I don't mean to offend the ladies that have had a c-section. It's just not something I want, even though I know in reality, it's not really about what you want at a certain point when your child's health is in danger.
So, I've had a friend lecturing me on how inducing with Pitocin (my doctor won't induce with anything else like Cervadil because it's a cervix thinner and my cervix is 90% thinned) leads to c-sections and I'm probably going to end up with one if we induce...yada, yada. So now, I'm terrified.
So here's a clicky poll (By yes, had an epidural before the c-sec decision was made, I mean, you got Pitocin, it sent your body into a rage of pain, you got an epidural, weren't progressing/baby in distress, so a c-sec was a go):
ETA: This is all a "what-if" thing...I could go into labor before Monday, but I'm not betting on it.
[Poll]SCANDAL!
Re: XP: Pitcoin = C-section? (Posted in Aug 12 too!)
Not sure if this helps, but of my 12 friends who have been induced with pitocin, none of them had a c-section. All of them had good experiences. About half of them had cervadil the night before, but it sounds like you won't be needing that. However, NONE of them were induced before 41 weeks. Inducing early does increase your chance of a c-section due to your body and baby not being ready.
i was given Pitocin to induce my labor with DD1 & I ended up with a c-section. But the decision for a c-section had nothing to do with being induced or the meds they used, it was all due to her positioning. She had been breech up until about a week before my due date when she turned head down again. However she was still a bit cricked & facing the wrong direction & it prevented progress.
Discuss with your Dr. & see what their opinion is on the subject & explain your concerns, they might be able to give you peace of mind. GL.
I was induced with DD1 for pre-e. Started out on Pitocin, asked for my epi a few hours later (that was always my plan, it wasn't *because* of the Pitocin by any means) and delivered vaginally with no complications. Whole labor lasted 5 hrs 45 min, including my 11 minutes of pushing. I was already somewhat "prime" when I started (-2 station, 2-3 cm dilated, and 80% effaced), but I was only 37.5wks along.
I'm doing it again tomorrow and hope it goes as smoothly.
Then why on earth would you risk it? If you feel that way about a c/s, I wouldn't do anything to up that risk, and yeah - an induction before your body is ready will up your risk.
I had two great c/s and loved my births, but I went into my first pregnancy not really caring how the baby came out.
(read it. you know you want to.)
anderson . september 2008
vivian . february 2010
mabel . august 2012
I was induced at 39w5d with DD1 because, well, that's what my OB's office does (*for all those who will flame - I'm ok relying on their expertise and qualifications here, I am educated and understand the risks, so TIA*).
Came in Sunday night 8 pm for Cervadil and went to sleep. Woke up Mon AM maybe at 2 cm. Pit was given about 7:30 AM. Went to only about 3 by maybe 9:30. Broke my water at 10ish. Got my epi right after that since then I was in agony. She came to check me at 11:30 and I was 10. Pushed for maybe 20 minutes DD1 was here.
I suppose I am an induction success story. So, they don't always lead to compliactions and c-sections. Though I do appreciate that it is way more common.
Now, I do NOT believe that I am even sort of lucky enough to have that pretty perfect experience a second time around, though :-) I'm probably in for it now....
Water broke at 10pm on 5/30/10. Started pitocin at 7am on 5/31 since labor didn't start on its own. Got epi at 4pm later that day. DS was born vaginally after almost 3 hours of pushing on 6/1 at 5:35am, when I was 39w5d.
So I was induced before 40 weeks and still had a vaginal delivery after pitocin and and epi. It was not easy though, as you can see by the timeline- I basically just stalled on making progress. I'm convinced he was NOT ready and my water never should've broken when it did at 39w3d. My doc did threaten c-section a few times during the course of my labor because I wasn't progressing.
You can't make a blanket statement about one induction method being more likely to end in a c-section. And you can't compare an induction on a woman who is 90% effaced, 4 cm dilated, with baby at +1 station and an induction on a woman who's cervix is not effaced or dilated with a baby at -3 station.... that's comparing apples and oranges.
Bottom line, if you're a favorable induction (cervix is already thinned and dilated, baby is descending) you are far less likely to end up having a c-section than a woman having an unfavorable induction (cervix that high, tight and closed with a baby who is not engaged) .
Doctors use a system called a Bishop Score to determine how ready your body is for labor and how likely an induction is to be successful. If you have a favorable enough Bishop score, you're not much more likely to need a c-section than a woman who goes into labor spontaneously. Try doing some research on how Bishop scores can help predict c-section rates if you want more info.
I was induced because of Pre-E at 37w 2d, but had there been no other medical reason, I would not have considered it until 41-42 weeks. I had absolutely no progress at all so they placed Cervadil the night before to get my cervix ready (no point administering Pit if your cervix isn't ready) and then Pit the following morning.
Due to complications related to pre-e, I had an emergency c/s. This was not what I had "planned". I wanted all natural as well - but one thing you learn quickly is you need to be flexible in your birth plan.
It was actually not difficult to recover from - I stopped taking pain killers while I was in the hospital. And BFing was no problem either. And DH was the first to hold LO, he brought her to me after they assessed her. So that was really special for him.
If I wait until 41 weeks and end up having to have a c-section, I will lose my position at work because I have to be back by Oct. 10 and legally, have to have 8 weeks off afterwards. I'm considered a "favorable" client for an induction because I am almost all the way thinned out, dilated (even if it is just a fingertip), and haven't had any health problems.
For everyone reminding me of the risks of inducing early: We're talking about three days early (two days by the time I deliver probably), not three weeks early.
SCANDAL!
Pitocin induction. Got the epi about 20 hours into that... 4 hours later I still hadn't gotten past 6 cm (which is where I was when I caved in for the epi) and had a c/s. I held my baby for about 5 minutes right after he was born before he went to the NICU for 2 hours (I was early and had other medical issues which is why I was induced in the first place.)
ETA: this happened at 37 weeks.
DD - induced with Pit at 42 weeks, had epi (2 actually) no c/s
DS - induced at 38 weeks due to GD complications, had epi, no c/s
Created by MyFitnessPal - Free Calorie Counter
"><a href="http://www.myfitnesspal.com/weight-loss-ticker"><img border="0" src="http://tickers.myfitnesspal.com/ticker/show/825/1820/8251820.png" /></a><p style="text-align:center;width:420px;"><small>Created by MyFitnessPal - Free <a href="http://www.myfitnesspal.com">Calorie Counter</a></small></p>I had a scheduled c/s with DS, not an induction, but as long as your Bishop score is favorable (you're already dilated/effaced to a certain point), a pitocin induction by itself shouldn't result in a c/s. And I have 2 friends who had medically necessary inductions w/ pitocin and still had an otherwise med-free childbirth experience, so don't discount the possibility of still getting that experience if it's important to you.
That said, I'm commenting mostly because I wanted to let you know that even if you end up with a c/s, it's still quite possible that you'll be able to hold LO as soon as it's born, breastfeed with no problems, and have an easy recovery. I was able to hold DS minutes after he was born, had him latched on within an hour of his birth, breastfed exclusively for 8 months, and had a very easy recovery - this is the same experience my friends who have had c/s had as well. It's certainly not always the case, and some of that may depend on hospital policy.
True, but lots of moms bodies and babies aren't ready at 40 weeks, that's why most docs will not induce before 41-42 weeks. People aren't trying to give you a hard time about early induction, we're just reminding you that waiting longer makes the induction more favorable in most cases. You asked about the likelihood of a c-section, and allowing labor to start on its own is the best possible way to avoid one.
Both times, my water broke but I never went into active labor so I had to have pitocin. Both times, as soon as I got the epi/pitocin, I had major complications (baby heart rate crashing, my heart rate crashing, shakes so bad I couldn't hold the baby, massive headaches, etc). Never again.....
Why do you need to legally have 8 weeks off for a c/s? A friend of mine went back to work 5 weeks after a c/s because she was in her residency (she's a dr) and couldn't be off work that long. Yes, not ideal, but I am not sure of the legality (at least in the US) of mandatory 8 weeks off for a c/s. I had another friend with a desk job whose company would only approve 6 weeks of STD, even with a c/s....
Lurker from 0-3, and thought I'd share:
I was induced with Cytotec and Pitocin at 39w3d. I was 2 cm and 70% effaced and was induced due to chronic hypertension, though my blood pressure was stable and I did NOT have pre-e. Got an epidural once I hit 4cm. Three hours later I was complete, pushed for 40 minutes, and delivered a 7lb 14.6 oz baby.
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I had an epi, then got pitocin, ended up have a c-section after 29 hours of labor + 3 hours of pushing. The baby was face up, then it turns out his head was too big.
I just wanted to point out, this is my first, but I have had no trouble breastfeeding him. Also, after I was done with the c-section, I was brought to my room where DH and DS were. Too me it didn't seem like any time had passed from when he was born til when I got to hold him.
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Yup! If you are induced early with no medical necessity it actually increases your risks of having a C-section. I side-eye any Dr that induces a patient before 41 weeks with no medical reasoning. On another note I have two friends who managed a med-free birth being induced with pitocin. Also, I have had two C-sections, while I am not offended by your viewpoint, my births were still wonderful and I was able to hold and nurse my LO within 15 minutes. I want you to know it would not be horrible if you did indeed need a C-section, whatever gets baby here safe and sound! GL!
I would think legally you have to be ALLOWED 8 weeks after a c/s, but you're not legally obligated to TAKE 8 weeks. Just saying that if it came down to that, you COULD go back to work on your particular date & not lose your job, even if it was only 7 weeks pp or whatever.
My experience: I was induced with Pitocin only (cervix was not dilated, but mostly effaced, so didn't need Cervadil) at 41 weeks. I wasn't progressing very well, so they ended up turning off the Pit about 8 hours in (I was 4 cm) & planned to try again in the morning. My body kept contracting & started to make progress, they broke my water, I got an epi a short while later & delivered vaginally after 17.5 total hours. FWIW, I didn't get to hold my son until about 9 hours later b/c he had some breathing problems & had to go to the NICU.
I work at a hospital. Legally, you cannot resume working until your doctor writes you a "return to work" notice. In Michigan, at least, 6 weeks is the mandatory recoop time for vaginal and 8 for a c-section. I cannot go back one day before my doctor's notice lists. My company doesn't mandate when you can/cannot take maternity leave, but they do mandate how long you can take, obviously. So, I've been on maternity leave since 31 weeks (June 10th). In order for my position to be held (which it will be for 120 days), I have to return by October 10th. I cannot return without my doctor's go ahead.
SCANDAL!
Ah, I hadn't realized that you were already on maternity leave. That makes a difference. I had assumed that you were starting with or shortly before the birth and they were mandating you be back by a certain date that didn't give you the 12 weeks guaranteed by FMLA--which would have been noncompliant with FMLA.
I still think you should have a private chat with HR about the possibility of "what happens if I need an extra week/few days/whatever because of a c-section to comply with the 8-week regulation" just to know if you have not already. I'd want to have all my options on the table before deciding on an induction for work reasons.
Regardless--good luck!
Pitocin=C-section-No
I was induced with cervadil and then pitocin. I ended in C-section but I do not think that the pitocin = my c-section. I was 41.5 weeks when induced. My body never labored correctly and DD just never dropped down After 9 hours of labor I was still not even 2.5cm dilated and DD's heart rate was getting to be scary low. She was more than ready to come out I mean she was 9lbs 12oz and was apparently in a ton of meconium so I am thankful for the induction. My body just didn't do what it was suppose to do. So yes I had pitocin and a C-section but I do not think the one caused the other.
Csections are scary-No
For me no it wasn't scary at all. Everything went smoothly and my recovery was a breeze. We BF'd within 30 min of DD's birth and she was a champ. No issues with that at all. I was up the next morning showering. I went home within two days and drove myself within 3 days of being home to get my staples removed. I didn't need pain meds once I was home I felt great. My BFF had a V birth and still has some complications from it. That just shows you anyone can have any kind of experience from any kind of birth.