Cytotec Induction

ShastaBean · July 2011

Does anyone have experience using cytotec for an indution?

I will hit 40 weeks tommorow and am not dialated at all. My OB is talking about placing cytotec to soften my cervix. I have googled it and it seems that I am just finding bad press and warnings. The problem is I really trust my OB. I have an appointment tommorow and will talk with him about my concerns. Has anyone had a successful indution with cytoec or know anyone who has? How did your labor go? I know that the manufacturer does not reccommend cytotec for inductions, it is not FDA approved for this use, and that there is a picture of pregnant lady with a circle and a cross thorugh it on the packaging. I've read ALL the bad, just looking for the good or the "real life" experiences.

Treasa · July 2011

I was given Cytotec (also know as Misoprostol) for induction & it didn't work as I did not dilate as quickly as the docs wanted me to!

I was pretty ignornant re: induction medication at the time & didn't question it being given to me! This time around, I would absolutely refuse it for myself as it has a risk of uterine rupture. Given that I have had a c-sec before & am at a slightly elevated risk of rupture because of this, Cytotec would be a big no-no for me!

I would definitely ask your OB why he is in favor of it & what are the alternatives to it. GL

eminbmore · July 2011

I don't have any good Cytotec stories for you. If I were you, I'd ask my OB if he could use Cervadil instead. (It might be a hospital thing, I know my hospital has a policy against Cytotec - and I also know that some use it exclusively for inductions.)

mama31 · July 2011

Along the same note as pp do they have Cervidale? I was gievn that w/ DD and it worked wonders for me. I was very crampy as a result of it, but it put me in labor and I didn't need pitocin at all.

dairygirl19 · July 2011

I had a cytotec induction with my first.

I have no horror stories or nothing bad to report. It worked just as it should've have. No problems or complications. However, I was monitored closely by the dr. during the whole thing and it was given to me in 1/2 doses instead of all at once, which is standard practice for my OB.

I didn't know Cytotec was a dangerous thing until the Bump. I trust my OB and he went through the risks with me and kept a close watch.

wolverine8 · July 2011

I'm glad you've done some research but I am wondering why you would even consider letting them put something inside of you that is not okay for pregnant women to use? No matter how many good "reviews" you get does not change the high risks associated with it. Uterine rupture, placental abruption (when it seperates from the uterine wall cutting off all O2 to baby), and amniotic fluid embolism can all be life-threatening to both you and baby and if you ever want to have children again and rupture from cytotec they usually have to to a total hysterectomy to prevent you from hemoraging to death. Yeah, scary stuff.

NurseLaLa · July 2011

I hope you won't find many "real life" experiences, since it's NOT FDA approved for induction!!

Absolutely refuse it. Cytotec is not supposed to be used for inductions anymore because of the risk of uterine rupture (even in women without a history of c-sections).

Cervadil, membrane sweeps, pitocin are all acceptable methods of induction currently.

BetsyDavis · July 2011

After cervidil and pitocin failed to get me going I had cytotec with in like 2 hours of having it in I dilated 2 cm and at that point they took it out and broke my water. I had pre-e and DD was in distress so they were wanting to move things along quickly. I have a feeling if they had waited an hour it would of threw me into active labor without having to break my water.

megd06 · July 2011

like pp have said--avoid cytotec and ask for cervidil

abell77 · July 2011

I would urge you to explore other options like cervadil or a foley bulb. I was given two doses of cytotec orally because my water broke and I was still not having any contractions after a very long time. After these two doses my labor started and I did not need any further intervention. However, I went from having my first "hmm, I think I feel something" contraction to being in full blown active labor within 30 minutes. My son was born just about five hours from my first contraction. That might sound like, ooh lucky woman, quick labor, and yes, I'm glad it was quick, but I always describe my labor like a freight train. Once it got started, it was intense, my contractions were 1-2 minutes apart lasting for a minute right away. There was no build up, no chance for me to get used to what contractions felt like. I have no idea if this is just how my body does labor (I'll be finding out again in just a few weeks!) but I can't help but wonder if the cytotec played a large role in the nature of my labor. I trusted my hospital completely so even though I had never heard of cytotec before I didn't ask too many questions. After everything I've read since I would not accept cytotec again.

CurbsideProphet · July 2011

I would also ask what your other options are and would consider refusing cytotec. It is my understanding that with cytotec you would need to stay at the hospital and be monitored. If they gave you cervadil you would be able to go home.

annaesmith · July 2011

This! On the packaging there is actually a large picture of a pregnant woman with a line through it indicating 'Do not use on pregnant women". It's not intended for induction and there are plenty of other drugs that are safer that are intended for induction.

AllisonErq · July 2011

with DD1 i went in to the hospital at 39w5d at 5 pm. i had been 1cm since 35 weeks, but got no further on my own. (my induction was due to high blood pressure at that point)

i had cytotec placed at 7pm.,11pm, 3am. the nurse acted like it was going to be some kind of miserable night, but i would say that the only discomfort i had at that time was anxiety/the uncomfortable bed... i was contracting every 6 minutes, but couldn't tell.

my OB came in at 6:30 and check me - i was at 4-4.5 cm. i had no clue i was doing all of that "work" - i thought he was going to tell me i was still a 1. LOL mybe i had gotten used to hearding, "still a 1..." for all those weeks!

he broke my water at 6:45 and started the pitocin, and that is when things really picked up - FAST. i had crazy hard labor for about two hours, before i got my epi. i went through transition during the epi, so i am kind of lucky i got it at all and that it worked.

the nurse checked me at 9:30 and i was complete. i rested and visited with my mom and husband until my OB arrived at 10:15 and after 20 minutes of pushing (which didn't hurt because of the epi) i had Hayden at 10:42am.

so it was only 4 hours of active labor, and the part with the cytotec alone was no big deal for me.

before my induction, so many people were telling me that it was going to be a nightmare and that i would no doubt end up in a csection, etc. - but i would say that it couldn't have been better or easier for us. i have a very positive induction story!!

I hope it helps to hear a good story and i hope that your induction is a good expirience as well! good luck!!

AllisonErq · July 2011

dairygirl19:

I had a cytotec induction with my first.

I have no horror stories or nothing bad to report. It worked just as it should've have. No problems or complications. However, I was monitored closely by the dr. during the whole thing and it was given to me in 1/2 doses instead of all at once, which is standard practice for my OB.

I didn't know Cytotec was a dangerous thing until the Bump. I trust my OB and he went through the risks with me and kept a close watch.

and addallof this to my previuos post, too!!

MrsGo4Hockeychick · July 2011

BetsyDavis:
After cervidil and pitocin failed to get me going I had cytotec with in like 2 hours of having it in I dilated 2 cm and at that point they took it out and broke my water. I had pre-e and DD was in distress so they were wanting to move things along quickly. I have a feeling if they had waited an hour it would of threw me into active labor without having to break my water.

they can't take cytotec out.

That's one of the major problems with it.

A single dose, after other methods have failed? I might *might* consider ONE dose if the only other option is a c section.

But the biggest danger of cytotec is that they constantly give more if no progress is being made...then all of them start working at the same time and there is nothing the doctors can do to stop it.

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